Help connecting to 3rd party Deco router from FTTP Openreach modem

[fietsofa]

Hey, so for the past year or so I've been running a mesh network of Deco M4s. This has been setup by connecting the sky router to the ADSL port, disabling WIFI on the sky router, and connecting an ethernet cable from the sky router to a Deco M4, which then connects to other Deco M4 throughout the house; this worked well when I was on 36mbps and 150mbps packages.

A few months ago I upgraded to a FTTP 500mbps package, which included a small openreach optical modem that connects to the old openreach main socket. As a quick fix I set up the new router in the same way as above, however, I didn't know that the new openreach install was a modem until recently. Because of this I have tried to connect my Deco M4 directly to the optical modem and completely bypassing the sky router. This way the Deco can be a router, I can reduce the amount of devices being used in the main room and just simplify the connection process.

I reset my Deco network and connected it directly to the Openreach modem via modem (which was previously plugged into my sky router), it seems that the Deco app thinks the modem needs some PPPoE settings to activate, but I'm not sure what these are and based on my readings in other forum posts on here Sky don't actually use PPPoE (although happy to be corrected). I had tried the username and password that some people recommended (xxx@skyadsl, an open reach one and a few combinations) but it always failed, and recommends contacting the ISP.

The network types available for me to use are:

• Dynamic
• Static
• PPPoE
• L2TP
• PPTP
• DS-LITE

The recommendations for alternatives to PPPoE that I've seen on these forums aren't listed here so I'm a bit confused how to achieve this, it looks like people have had success but I'm struggling a bit. Does anyone know if:

• PPPoE username/password is actually available from sky and if that will work
• I can connect directly to the Openreach modem and bypass the Sky router with any of the other Network types above?

Thank you!

[jamesn123]

@fietsofa 

You have fibre now not ADSL so you it needs to authenticate via DHCP Option 61 which I dont think Deco supports

[fietsofa]

Ah I see, so there's no way to connect to that Open reach Modem without DHCP 61?

In that case, running the Open Reach moden => ethernet to Sky router (wireless turned off) => Ethernet to Deco M4 and then the Deco running in Access Point mode is the best way?

[Skull+Treaty]

@fietsofa 

That would work and save you forking out for another router/mesh kit. 
You may lose some of the Deco functionality in AP mode - but a working system nonetheless 

[jamesn123]

@fietsofa Correct thats the best way. 

I just checked and Deco doesnt seem to support DHCP Option 61 so there is no native way to connect it to the Openreach ONT and have it authenticate

[rmarl]

Hi

Im sure you have this working how you want but some info for you or others with this problem.

if they want to do away with sky router and use deco in router mode.

after upgrading from dsl to fttp I got my decos to work as follows

main deco plugged directly into the lan port of the ONT.

set deco to router mode.

in deco app, click more > advanced

click ipv4

ingnore ping from wan= off

internet connection type =dynamic   

obtain dns auto =on  (this is where you will see details once connected  ie wan ip gateway and dns)

ipv6  dynamic,  (i dont beleive any settings here have relevence to internet connection but mine are as follows) 

get ipv6 =statlesss   sub setting prefix delegation  and obtain dns auto both set on and 

assigned by typre = dhcpv6

lan ip and dhcp set to whatever suits your setup or leave as default

IPTV/VLAN  = disabled

everything else is also own preference mine is as follows

ddns disabled  

sip alg enabled

upnp enabled

fast roaming enabled

beam forming enabled

hope this helps someone

G

[mae-3]

@rmarl & @fietsofa 

Quite correct that Sky will authenticate with IPv6 Prefix Delegation (PD) on about 80% of Sky's backend BT Exchanges, so that is a solution for those routers that don't support DHCP Option 61. For best reliability, it is best to authenticate with DHCP Option 61 and DHCPv6 PD if both options are available with the router.

[hanko]

Hi, so when you 1st set up deco, direct fttp did you end up selecting PPOE (with address/password) or Dynamic

I have mine working via router - but also want direct to fttp. 

Regards

Dave

[AndyMcManus-28]

Hi rmarl,

I have my Deco M4's connected as you describe, authenticating via dhcpv6.

Within the last few days, my deco's have been losing internet connection randomly. Usually through the night but sometimes during the day.

the first time it happened I noticed on downdetector that many people were reporting sky issues and indeed sky themselves reported an issue in my area. But after that, it still keeps dropping.

my FTTP OpenReach modem looks to be ok,-all correct lightshowing, but my deco that is plugged directly into that has no internet connection.

I havnt changed any settings and my decos are fully up to date.

I wonder if anyone might know why? Have sky changed something that means 3rd party routers can't authenticate reliably with dchpv6? Will I have to go back to using the Skyhub as the router and my deco as an access point? (-I hope not!)

thanks for any help you can offer!

[AndyMcManus-28]

@rmarl 

[Chrisee]

@AndyMcManus-28 no known changes if there had been the forum would be inundated. If there was an area fault you maybe running on a temporary system to get you.a connection while the permanet system is repaired. 

If there was a change in the authentication system your Deco system simply wouldn't connect. Normally I would suggest calling Sky to report the fault but be warned they are likely not to accept the report until you can show it affects your Sky hub which is what they support.

[MarcusYorkshire]

Hi

Ive been trying to set up my Deco P9 as described in this thread, however the light on the top stays red and I don't seem to be getting connected. 
should I be leaving this for a period of time to give it time to sync, or am I missing something. 
I've seen some threads (maybe not on here) that say I need to replicate the MAC address of the sky router on my Deco. 

thanks 

[mae-3]

@MarcusYorkshire 

You should switch off the router and ONT for about half an hour then switch it all back on with the new equipment connected. Please note, not all broadband exchanges support DHCPv6 PD, it is only about 80% that support this authentication method.

[MarcusYorkshire]

Hi

thanks very much for the advice, I managed to get this working. 
im hoping this will solve my speed issues as having the deco connected to the sky router was resulting in a max speed of about 250mbps whereas connecting to the sky router was giving me the full 500mbps. 
I've had to go back to the sky router for now as in the short term we still need the land line until everyone know we won't have it much longer. 
I've also ordered a new cat8 cable to connect the deco to the sky router in case that's where the issue is

thanks again 

[JSJohal]

I've had the same issue where it's randomly dropped internet for me. Authenticated via IPv6 prefix delegation similarly to you. Did you have the same issue again and again, and did you manage to resolve?