Replace Mesh - SR203 MER - options?

[AldoMontoya]

I posted earlier about issues with my Playstation Portal being a poor experience over my wifi network (yet when I connect to PS5 via my mobile's hotspot it works just fine...) - and frankly I have a few issues with my Sky Q Mesh (network printers don't work properly, SONOS device issues etc) - so looking to replace the router + Mesh. 

I live in a 4-floor townhouse, built 2013. I have 3x Sky Q mini's on each floor (plus a Sky Q in the main room) which are all hard-wired into a switch in the loft. They all work just fine. My intention is to disable their wifi mesh and replace.

So, open to suggestions, would likely need at least 1 extender, probably 2, and preferably under £300 if I can help it.  I can backaul over cable.

Thanks!

[mae-3]

@AldoMontoya 

It all depends on whether you wish to replace the Sky SR203 completely and dispense with the VoIP Sky Talk phone if that is how the phone is connected.

You cannot go wrong with Asus routers and they have an AiMesh that works across most of their wireless routers.

Also, the community needs to know what service you are subscribed to recommend routers and mesh systems unless you wish to just do a wireless mesh via plugging it into the SR203 LAN port.

[Chrisee]

@AldoMontoya to add to @mae-3's good advice your Q minis will not connect by wifi to any third party wifi system. Ideally they should be hard wired with wifi disabled to whatever solution you buy. Personally I bought a TP-Link Deco system with 3 units (you may need a 4 unit system) and ran that in access point mode attached by ethernet attached to a Sky hub with its wifi disabled. This leaves the land line in place

If hard wiring the Sky Q minis is impossible you will have to deal with the Q minis requiring a 5GHz link to either the Sky hub or the main Sky Q box and manage any potential interference issues. 

[AldoMontoya]

Thanks @Chrisee  and @mae-3  - mini's are already hard-wired so no issue there 🙂

I have Sky Broadband Superfast (best I can get, and they don't seem to be in a rush to upgrade in my area...) - and don't use VoIP Sky Talk at all... I think I'd rather remove the sky router all together as I seldom hear much good - unless people have gone the route of success via the SR203 lan (which I use for hard-wiring the mini's/PS5 etc etc)

Throw them suggestions, I'll get my cheque book ready! Thanks again.

[mae-3]

@AldoMontoya 

You'll need a VDSL2 modem bridge or an xDSL Asus router range for the wireless mesh unit to connect to the VDSL2 broadband line if the former opens up the range of the ethernet Asus wireless routers you can choose from their ranges.

For a cosmetically pleasing then the XT8/9 tri-band wireless range is reasonably priced and usually sold in pairs but can add more as an ethernet wireless router which needs a VDSL2 modem and doesn't have the protruding antennas there enclosed in the case. For this one needs a VDSL2 modem or cheap VDSL2 router that'll bridge to connect to the XT8/9 ethernet WAN port for your service.

The wireless supports 802.11ax 5Ghz 2 bands A and B concurrently and 2.4Ghz wireless band for each unit if backhaul is ethernet cabled.

The nice thing about this setup is it's future-proof and ready for FTTP when it becomes available at your residence...

[AldoMontoya]

Thanks again. Thinking I'll try the Deco x75s and use the Sky router for connection only (I'll disable WiFi on all Sky products in the house). 

One more query @mae-3  @Chrisee  - in such a mode do you leave DHCP with the Sky router?  

thanks!

[Chrisee]

@AldoMontoya if the hub is acting as the router and the Deco acting as an access point then it is sensible to leave ithe hub'd DHCP working.

[AldoMontoya · Accepted solution]

Thanks @Chrisee  and @mae-3 - so my deco XE75s came today. Took 10 mins to set up, and guess what - the Portal is working perfectly. Turned WiFi off on router and all Q devices. 

Added bonus that other network devices I had issues with (Sonos and HP network printer) are also working just fine.... who'd have thought the sky mesh system would be so bad. I even notice any browsing over WiFi is even quicker.