Replace Sky Broadband Hub FTTP

[S111BTH]

I have a Sky broadband Hub connected directly to an open reach ONT, I would like to replace this hub with a linksys mesh wifi system (MX5500). My service FTTP, I am unsure if I have Static IP or PPPoE IP and I am struggling to setup the linksys system as a full replacement for the sky hub. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@S111BTH 

In the Republic of Ireland it is PPPoE. In the uk it is sky mer or dhcpv6 prefix delegation. Not sure if your system supports sky mer or if your exchange supports prefix delegation

For dhcpv6 prefix delegation try :-

Select the WAN interface section of router GUI, then select dual-stack option WAN interface for IPv4 & IPv6, for the address select DHCPv6 (dynamic option not static), enable prefix delegation (PD) on WAN and then select SLAAC/Stateless for IPv6 creation method on LAN interface 

[S111BTH]

@cookiemonsteruk 

thank you for coming back to me on this. 

I don't have a WAN specific page on my router GUI. I have the following page (see pic). This allows me to set the configuration as "Automatic Configuration - DHCP" but doesn't allow me to change any of the other points you mention. Do you have any other suggestions?

is the authentication sky mer or dhcpv6 prefix delegation even if the connection is FTTP? As you can tell I'm no expert in networks.

[cookiemonsteruk]

@S111BTH 

Does the mesh allow "access point" mode. Then you can turn wifi off on the sky hub and ethernet the linksys to the sky hub so it ttakes over the lan. There would only be a few benefits between access point and replacing the sky hub completely

[S111BTH]

@cookiemonsteruk 

This is a possible solution. However, I would ideally like to remove the sky hub completely so that I get the full benefit of my own router.

Although I have good speed via Sky, I find webpages and other things tend to hang and never load completely which is frustrating. So I am hoping replacing the hub completely will solve the issue and give even faster speeds still.

[Chrisee]

@S111BTH until Lynksys change their firmware there does not seem to be a way of any of their Velop range from connecting directly to a Sky line. This is quite a common issue with whole home wifi set ups including my own TP-Link Deco set up but they run in Access Point mode (aka Bridge mode) without issue.

The delay in webpages loading is actaully unlikely be directly related to the SR203 unless you have many devices trying to connect simultaenously. It can be caused by insufficent web server capacity at the other end which is something you can't sort or an issue with the DNS look up system. I programme my most frequently used devices to over ride Sky's hard wired DNS and use Google's public DNS on 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 

[S111BTH]

@Chrisee 

Ah okay I understand, thank you for clarifying this for me. Could you direct me to a decent mesh wifi system that could fully replace the sky hub at all please?

I have tried changing the DNS server but this hasn't seemed to fix the issue of hanging pages, are there any other settings I can try changing to resolve this?

[Chrisee]

@S111BTH Asus units are popular and can be configured to connect directly to the ONT  but I dont have direct experience.

[Maverickbiff]

Hi I'm after some similar advice on replacing the set hub with a mesh system but and have the Fttp but fibre box on the wall.  I also have sky glass, a Synology NAS connected and have a mixture of apple HomeKit and Alexa smart home devices and a hive home hub and Arlo camera and ring connected.  I'm also looking to simplify the setups and looking to replace the lights and plugs with tp link taso devices to reduce the different apps i have.  

Not an expert in Wi-Fi or routers so don't understand the lingo yet but any advice on a good replacement box to wire into the existing BT fibre to the property box that works with sky?  They have just sent me the usual black sky box, 

any advice appreciated 

[Maverickbiff]

I should add that im not bothered about the Asus range being a good option but unsure about mesh or single router options such as the RT-AX58U.

I would like a wifi 6 or 6e capability if possible and not sure the mesh setup would have the lan sockets i need for NAS, Hive and printer.

and finally, if i do go for this setup is there another page with the details for the authentication and addresses that need to be entered?