Netgear Nighthawk RS200 drops connection frequently

[Neil+Coates]

I wanted a better router. Netgear nighthawk seemed a good spec, RS200 model. Connected to my ONT  and used the app to connect to the sky internet. It worked. And is very fast. BUT it keeps on losing connection. Nowhere have I put my sky router credentials in for DHCP , Is this the problem? 

Also there appears to be no option 61 with the DHCP, only DHCP with the setup. Again, is this the problem , as there is nowhere to input the router credentials . 

When the router works , which is 99% of the time, it is great, but I cant have it frequently disconnecting . The standrad issue sky hub never disconnects and has been ultimately reliable, but wifi speed is poor , around 80Mbps as opposed to the 350-400 from the Netgear Nighthawk.

I assume I may have to return the Netgear router and get a router that supports DHCP option 61? Any good recommendations for this?

I appreciate your help!

[Chrisee]

@Neil+Coates this page list the models Netgear say support DHCPv4 Option 61 https://kb.netgear.com/000062426/Which-NETGEAR-routers-support-DHCP-option-60-and-61 I dont think your model is listed but Netgear routers can have multiple model numbers.

Sky have an alternate option which works on roughly 80% of UK lines which is DHCPv6 PD - prefix delegation - which is worth trying as your router should support that. However whether that works depends on the kit installed at your exchange.

Currently it sounds like the Sky hub negotiates a lease which the Netgear takes over but once tge lease finishes it cannot negotiate a new one. If your line does not support the PD method then simply leaving the Sky hub connected and using the Netgear behind it in a double NAT set up should work as only a few apps  object.

[Neil+Coates]

I only have a DHCP option. Nowhere to input a sky user name and password on the Netgear Nighthawk router.It works really well most of the time, and I have around 26 devices connected. But then it will drop the connection , but pick it up again quickly .No good for conf calls/gaming/streaming/buying tickets when in a queue!!

Very frustrating. I will contact Netgear support

[Chrisee]

@Neil+Coates there is no log in string with DHCPv6 PD the line identity is used to authorise connection. 

[Neil+Coates]

so , if my router only has DHCP as an option , is that the same, no user name/password required?

[Chrisee]

@Neil+Coates note the description DHCPv6 PD there are multiple DHCP options which you have to set up the correct one. Nothaving access to a Netgear router myself I can't tell you which screen you have to edit but I doubt its a default.

[Neil+Coates]

See the attached screenshot , only DHCP as a DHCP option

[Neil+Coates]

if my internet connects very well for 99% of the time does that mean there is another issue that needs resolving? I am not aware of my sky supplied hub ever dropping connection.

[Neil+Coates]

I have eventually managed to get through to Netgear support. They said my DHCP connection should work fine as is with SKY, had me disable smart connect in wireless and change the 2.4GHz wireless channel to 11 and the 5GHz wireless channel to 48. I am to monitor for the next few hours and see how I get on. Fingers crossed. 

Thanks for your help with this!

[Neil+Coates]

So far so good. No disconnections and connected via DHCP with no sky user name and password submitted. I'll keep minitoring. Connected my laptop to the 5G network and getting 480Mbps speed.Very happy at the moment. Fingers crossed.

[Neil+Coates]

So after a couple more days, very happy with the wifi performance and no more dropouts.Looked like the wifi channel change has completely eliminated the problem. Very happy and would reccomend the Netgear Nighhawk unreservedly.

[JimM1]

@Neil+Coates Glad it's all settled down for you now, may be worth getting a wi-fi analyzer program on your laptop, at least you will be able to take a peek at what's going on if you are band clashing! @MMMIIIUUUT in case you need to read how @Neil+Coates has his netgear setup and done although a lot newer device than what you have!

[MMMIIIUUUT]

• Thanks for this, information is power.... Unless it's in my hands!

[JimM1]

@MMMIIIUUUT Liked your reply, we are here to aide if we can!

[MMMIIIUUUT]

Thanks again really appreciate the support. I am still not convinced sky has this right let alone Netgear.