Mesh and a Sky SR203

[1topgazza]

Slightly confused 

Even as a retired, and rusty, network engineer the situation with mesh and Sky 203 is not clear for me. I understand the need for option 61/mer if using a third party modem router being a requirement but didn't realise it was required for a mesh system.

Is it ? I have used a BT whole home system and it seemed to work without an issue. Certainly can't see any setting for selecting isp such as Sky MER on the mesh setting on any mesh system. I intend to connect a mesh, eero 6+ or tp link deco x50 and turn the Wi-Fi off on the sr203 (AP, wps and broadcast ssid) . If I can set the mesh router to static ip that should do it as well ?

Bar the main mesh router the other two units will be connecting Wirelessly. I usually set the mesh router up as router. Should this be AP ? Or am I over analysing this ?

[TimmyBGood · Accepted solution]

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@1topgazza wrote:

Even as a retired, and rusty, network engineer the situation with mesh and Sky 203 is not clear for me. I understand the need for option 61/mer if using a third party modem router being a requirement but didn't realise it was required for a mesh system.

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Two different situations:

a) Sky Hub acting as router, with a non-Sky 'mesh' behind it: none of the mesh units is acting as gateway to the broadband connection, so don't need to support Sky authentication

b) Mesh unit connected direction to WAN (no Sky Hub in use): the mesh hardware must support Sky authentication.

[1topgazza]

Thanks

1.  When you say Sky hub as router you mean still broadcasting WiFi with mesh router as AP ?

2. finding mesh system with option 61 is a challenge as no one mentions that on manufacturers spec sites

[TimmyBGood]

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@1topgazza wrote:

1.  When you say Sky hub as router you mean still broadcasting WiFi with mesh router as AP ?

If a Sky Hub is powered then it's routing: they have no modem-only mode.  If it's cabled between the physical network gateway (master phone socket faceplate 'data' port or ONT ethernet port) and the rest of the local network then it's doing authentication to the external Sky broadband service.

2. finding mesh system with option 61 is a challenge as no one mentions that on manufacturers spec sites

Very true.  Many such devices are intended for the US domestic market where cable modems are much more common.

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[1topgazza]

Thanks again, I appreciate your help

The mesh is plugged into the Ethernet port on the Sky hub so I can see there might be an issue. I did try an Orbi RBR350 but sure enough the ip lease wouldn't renew after 24 hours. I did think, naively ?, that the ethernet ports were not directly connected to the socket but served by the modem. 

It seems the only real solution is to replace SR203 with a MER compatible one like  to link VR model  but I suppose the mesh compatibility is still an issue.

Why oh why do Sky use MER rather than the usual PPPoE like they do in Ireland and all other ISPs do ? My current Sky FTTC is great. WiFi is just ok but I need better and it's become frustrating and forcing me to consider moving to a new ISP