Replacing Sky Router

[Timberflake]

Hi all,

So I've just about had enough of Sky not placing nicely with mesh networks (for me, my Eero), but before I move to a new provider I've heard that you can replace the Sky hub with another router of your choice that meet certain specifications?

I currently have FTTP 1gig and want to swap out the Sky hub for another router that can be put into modem mode to allow my Eero to act as the router. Can anyone recommend one that will do the job?

And how easy is it to set up a non Sky router? Anything I need to watch out for??

[mae-3]

@Timberflake 

Have you tried the Eero in DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation (PD)? This method of authentication works on 80% of Sky broadband exchanges.

If that doesn't work then you need a router that supports DHCP Option 61 and most Asus router people are successful with Sky authentication.

When you set up the new router the ONT and router should be left off for half an hour, and then switched back on for it to work.

[Timberflake]

How do I set it up in DHCPv6 Prefix Delegation (PD)?  In the eero settings, there a setting for IPv6 which is on?

[cookiemonsteruk]

@Timberflake 

The full steps are :-

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 SLACC for IPv6 creation method on LAN interface 

[Timberflake]

So it turns out you can't do this with Eero, it just doesn't have the advanced setting that need to be changed. 

SO the next question is, which Asus router do I go for? I simply want something I can get up and running and put straight into Modem mode, can anyone recommend one?

[mae-3]

@Timberflake 

Why would you want an Asus router that you put straight into modem mode? That will get you no further than using Sky Hub with Eero as an access point (AP) because the Eero router must support DHCP Option 61 or DHCPv6 PD in 80% of broadband exchanges, which the Eero router doesn't, eg: it isn't the modem that supports those authentication features it is the router that must support those methods.

[Timberflake]

So how do I use mesh WiFi with Sky? I'd need to buy a router and another mesh system?!

[mae-3]

@Timberflake 

The Asus XT8, XT9 or ET8 mesh range are wireless systems that will work with Sky full-fibre.

[Timberflake]

And that would allow me to remove the hub entirely? How easy is it to set up?

[mae-3]

@Timberflake 

Those units will allow you to eradicate the Sky Hub and connect the Asus unit to the ONT.

It is relatively easy to do and there are quite a few experts on the Sky forum that have Asus routers and mesh systems.

You will lose the Sky Phone when replacing the Sky router with a third-party router or mesh.

[Timberflake]

I think I might have been over complicating this.....I've got Ethernet cables routed to the rooms I would want mesh points in, is it just a simple can of putting Ethernet access points in those rooms to extend the sky network?!

[mae-3]

@Timberflake 

If you have wired ethernet connections and devices are ethernet capable then just use those ethernet points around the house, and these must be wired back to the Sky Hub directly or via an unmanaged ethernet switch.

[Timberflake]

Understood, and I'm doing that, but instead of mesh to extend the WiFi around the house could I just use Ethernet access points in the rooms that have Ethernet? 

[mae-3]

@Timberflake 

Of course, you can use ethernet wired connections that is the best way of connecting devices to the router.

[Timberflake]

I'm not sure I'm being clear. I understand I can't connect devices, I'm looking for confirmation that if I connect an access point in the lounge for example via Ethernet will that extend/improve the sky WiFi network in that room?