Netgear orbi RBK853

[Raths]

I have a few questions, is the RBK853 as of nov 2022 able to do DHCP option 60/61?

i have sky 1 gigabit FTTP which uses the BT ONT modem.

if not can i just plug into the back of the sky router & turn off skys wifi & let sky router deal with the authentication for DCHP, then use the orbi as a AP & then put the other 2 orbis nodes around the house?

or can the orbis RBK853  work with skys ipv6 workaround?

i was wanting better wifi around the home (3500sq ft). Was hoping to make a mesh system out of it as the sky hub is pretty dire

[Raths]

I should note i CANT do ethernet as where the router is id have to remodel the house to actually get ethernet around the home so i wanted a full wifi system.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Raths 

The netgear orbi rbk853 should support both dhcp option 61 and dhcpv6 prefix delegation. The price is exorbitant for a triband wifi 6 and a few have already checked out the asus zenwifi xt8 whole home mesh. Have a look at the specs below and we'll take your questions after i eventually manage to get a couple of hours kip 

😁😴

ASUS ZenWiFi AX Whole-Home Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System(XT8), Coverage Up to 510sq m or 5500sq ft or 6+ Rooms, 6.6 Gbps WiFi, 3 SSIDs, Life-Time Free Network Security and PS5 Compatible, 2.5G Port https://amzn.eu/d/3fxcA4e

[Raths]

Xt8 doesnt cover enough space with the speeds. Ive decided to go the unifi route & do the UDR router + APs

[Raths]

Like i need speeds across the full 3500 sq ft and xt8 with only 1 router + 1 satellite wont do

[Raths]

Didnt realise i can add more than just 1 satellite with the asus. Whats the raw speed like vs the orbi as i would like raw speed. and does the XT8 work with option 61 out the box

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Raths 

Actually asus say you can have 1 xt8 as router and 8 nodes ie 4 satellite xt8 with wifi backhaul more if can use ethernet backhaul between the nodes.

The wifi is apparently not as fast as the rbk853 but still very fast especially if you have any wifi 6 devices

[Raths]

wonderful thank you i shall try both since amazon has the returns till jan 31st i want to maximise my speeds as much as possible at least i know both work with skys FTTP & open reach ONT. its been a pita trying to work out what works and what doesnt and research. As i dont want skys router & idc about the voip for calls. Just want as much performance as i can get the XT8 atm is on sale on amazon for 580 for the 2 pack + 1 extra so 3 total and orbi is 950 for a 3 pack so the orbi is nearly 1.7x the price. I shall check performances out if its within 30mb i dont mind but if its like 100 or so mb i shall grab the orbi

How easy is it to configure the asus XT8 to work with sky FTTP option 61

[cookiemonsteruk · Accepted solution]

@Raths 

"How easy is it to configure the asus XT8 to work with sky FTTP option 61"

For me asus are the easiest to enter the option 61 details

Upgrade asus firmware sequentially until it doesn't upgrade anymore whilst plugged into the sky hub

Remove sky hub and plug asus directly into the ont

On the wan screen locate client identifier (option 61) and enter

anything@skydsl|anything

And it should connect after a minute or 2

[Raths]

Perfect! I shall grab the 2 pack + a 3rd satellite and then get up a running. If i get stuck i know where to come 🙂 thank you

[Raths]

Does the XT9 also support the dhcp option 61? @cookiemonsteruk 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Raths 

Yep. And below is the wan screen for an xt9 showing client identifier (option 61)/dhcp option 61

 

[Raths]

Great i may get it over the XT8 as i would like the extra bandwith. I was hoping the zenwifi pro XT12 supports dhcp 61 as i would like the wifi 6e. 

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Raths 

Its best to change dhcp query frequency (at the bottom) from aggressive to normal

[Raths]

While i have you, does the asus XT & the ET (6E version) allow dhcp option 61? I woulf prefer as best as possible and 6E is what my PC is.