Interconnecting Two SR213's

[AndySmeg]

OK I have currently a single SR213 connected to my PC using 5GHz wifi.  This provides a good speed of just over 100MB/s which is fine with the router located downstairs and the PC upstairs.

The issue I have is that I recently purchased an Meta 3S VR headset and found that the Wifi reception for Airlink between the headset and the router is weak, causing dropouts.  Thus I procured a second SR213 thinking I could interconnect the two SR213's using an ethernet cable with the second SR213 located in the same room as the PC and headset.

Despite trying to get this configuration working I have yet to suceed as the second SR213 is never recognised as a valid device or allows an internet connection to my PC.

Think I need to enable bridging mode but yet to find how to do that. So any advice how to proceed would be appreciated.

[FLC]

Best way to proceed would be to sell it & buy the proper tool for the job, a wireless access point.

Using a second router as a WAP was maybe a thing before proper WAPs filtered down to the domestic environment, but not really now. If you really want to do it a simple Google search will provide instructions.

It might be worth complaining to Sky to see if they'll send one of the Pod extenders, but that's usually under a chargeable add-on.

[AndySmeg]

Did initially think about using a Sky pod but I think they charge £3/month for one.

Any recommendations as to a suitable WAP compatible with my SR213?

[TimmyBGood]

@AndySmeg 

There's no 'compatibility' required other than meeting the global WiFi specification, because a non-Sky WAP on ethernet won't be interacting with any Max management system.  Personally I always suggest an actual access point rather than a router in access point mode though.

WiFi 6 is probably advisable, although my own standalone AP is only a very cheap TP-Link running WiFi 4 (802.11n) because I just don't need anything better in that location.

[TimmyBGood]

@AndySmeg 

I'd note that in the case you describe, the WiFi Max software stack and associated server-side services absolutely doesn't anticipate more than one Max Hub being present and really cannot be expected to support such a configuration.

[FLC]

@AndySmeg 

There's no end of WAPs at different price points & capabilities, so it will be  a case of researching what suits your needs. You could also consider a mesh system throughout, if there's more than one location that needs coverage.

Another, potentially cheaper option, would be to "acquire" the previous generation SR203 & associated SE210 mesh boosters. Router shouldn't be much more than a tenner & boosters £25 on Ebay if you're patient. But the kit is owned by Sky so technically shouldn't be for sale, so there'll be no support.

[AndySmeg]

Well if I wasn't confused before I certainly am now.

Looking at the headset forum they are recommending a bridge device but this I understand requires the P c connected to the router via ethernet which at the moment I am using WiFi.

[FLC]

@AndySmeg 

A bridge device would normally work the opposite way. It would connect to the router by WiFi & then provide a local ethernet connection.

[Chrisee]

@AndySmeg there are advantages to using Sky's expansion pods over a generic WiFi access point as Sky switch the hub into triband mode meaning instead of the access point using 50% of its bandwidth dealing with backhaul traffic to the hub it has a dedicated connection. The pods also will allow your other devices to roam and wont cause interference issues with the hub.However you do have to buy  Sky's WiFi Max add-on to get them see https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-wifi-max

In my opinion the second best solution is to buy a proper whole home wifi system and use that connected to the Sky hub with its own wifi turned off in access point mode. Wide choice available and this can work out cheaper in the long run. That is my own set up. Another option is to replace the Sky hub completly with a tuird party router and wifi satellites.

A cheap third party WiFi access point can be made to work 🤞but place it roughly half way between the hub and where you need the boost. A bridge is simply either using an ethernet cable from the hub to the access point or from the access point to the device and isnt really what you need.

Buying a SR213 is totally pointless as firstly they are all Sky's property so whover so,d it is going to be hit with a bill if they leave Sky, they require to be set up by Sky to operate correctly on your account and like all other Sky hubs do not have an access point mode.