How to turn off DHCP on SR213

[MartiniX]

Hi, I have just received my SR213-02-UK-wht hub today and want to configure the network before it goes live next week.  I just want to use it as a modem and nothing else as my WiFi and DHCP is already handled.  I have set the IP address and turned off Wifi but can't see any way of turning off DHCP.    This is firmware SR213_6.0p2s1_PROD_sey but have no way of updating it myself I believe.  The config screen looks like this...

[TimmyBGood]

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@MartiniX wrote:

 I just want to use it as a modem and nothing else as my WiFi and DHCP is already handled.

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Sky Hubs can never be a 'modem' because they always route traffic: that's different to functionality such as DNS, DHCP and WiFi.

[jamesn123]

@MartiniX 

That hub is mainly controlled via the My Sky app

[MartiniX]

Thanks for the replys.  Maybe I used the wrong terminology but just want to turn off DHCP as I perviously did with my BT hub, if you know how?  Maybe it's not possible.

[jamesn123]

@MartiniX 

Yes I believe you can, but as I said the newer Sky Max Hub is controlled via the My Sky app/your account. Many of the settings are locked down on its local admin interface.

[MartiniX]

Ok great. I'm guessing I will need to wait until next week then when it's connected to the internet.  Thanks for that.

[jamesn123]

@MartiniX 

The forum SuperUsers haven't been given much info at all on the Sky Max hub so I can't say for sure about disabling DHCP but I think you can. 

And yes you'd need to wait until your activation date, even then users have reported that the settings in the My Sky app don't appear for a few days after.

[MartiniX]

So I've connected it and can report there is no option to turn off DHCP as far as I can see. The firmware was updated to SR213_7.0p5s1_PROD_sey but didn't see any new option.   In the My Sky App you can only control 'Broadband Shield', under 'Product Settings', which allows you to set an age limit for content.

Fortunately I can use a Velop Wifi node as a router so once that was reconfigured I was protected from the Sky hub.and can use my own DHCP. 

In the hub console under 'Advance/Port Forwarding', for example, there are no settings but just says "Managing your home network settings is now easier than ever.  Please download the My Sky App to set up port forwards, among many other features and settings.".  This makes me think either I'm looking in the wrong place  or maybe these are things which will appear when I've been connected for a while or will be released as a new feature.

Thanks again for the replies.

[Chrisee · Accepted solution]

@MartiniX there should be options to control the SR213 in the My Sky app under Sky Max Hub just above the Broadband Shield option it maybe your app has not yet been updated but its worth fully closing the app and loggin afresh. If it is still missing in 24 hours give Sky a call.

To confirm in the app you will be able to change the SSID and wifi password and by clicking on the advanced features link options to set up port forwarding, configure the DMZ, turn wifi on and off and change the security level will be available.

There is not an option to turn off the DHCP server not that is an option many users will ever need. More to the point there is not an option for use of a  dynamic DNS provider.

[MartiniX]

Ha, yes, so those settings have just appeared but can confirm you can't turn off DHCP. 

[Mithias_UK]

Just adding my feedback to this as well - adding the option ti disable the DHCP server should be a simple setting to add into a router thats billed as being "advanced". I know "most" users probably won't need it but "most" users also won't login to the Router to configure/check settings like this as well so why do a half baked job?

Running your own DHCP or setting different DNS is very common - please Sky consider adding this feature to "the most advanced router" so we don't have to do some wizardry to work around it

[Gregg]

I think this is absolutely disgusting that Sky don't allow you to configure these routers with simple settings like turning off DHCP or using your own DNS. I can only assume this allows them to do traffic and content monitoring through DNS requests??

Obviously you can set DNS at a device level but this is not convenient for most users. My problem is that using the Sky default DNS makes web browsing almost unusable as it's so slow (30 - 60 seconds for pages to open on 580mb download speed). We have super fast speeds but web traffic is snail pace at best and we were flicking our mobiles to 4g/5g networks until I figured it was a DNS issue. Has anyone here replaced there Sky Max hub with a third party router? I just want to know if there are any considerations that need to be taken before purchasing one? 

I've also noticed that the Xbox was showing NAT as moderate so I've had to configure port forwarding (fortunately this is possible) and that appears to have sorted it. It's been years since I last had to do this but we were getting poor connection messages in certain games. 

[Chrisee]

@Gregg Sky provide locked down routers which work for the vast majority of their customers. I do not have any issues myself with the speed of Sky's DNS but given the network structure there can be issues confined to some nodes. It is worth using the Disconnect function in the link on the main Maintenance page of the web interface which may improvecthings.

 However there is nothing stopping you using third party equipment if you want. Things are more complex if your Superfast connection is over copper as you need a modem router TP-Link, Netgear and Asus offer models that should support DHCP v4 Option 61 Sky use to authenticate the connection but check the specs.

Sky wont provide support but the forum members have considerable experience. Which units will work for you 

[Mithias_UK]

Yeah I solved my issue by grabbing an ASUS RT-AX52 when it was going cheap on prime day, does what I need it to!

Shame - I'd prefer to use the ISPs kit but at least I've got a workaround for now!