Setting up TP Link Archer VR2800 with Sky FTTC service

[WUB525]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can help here please. I currently have a Sky Q Hub (SR203) and the Wifi is poor and sometimes just cuts out altogether resulting in all devices still connected but with no internet at all. My working from home is being impacted by this fault with Sky Routers and having to reboot regularly.

I have seen on the forums here and elsewhere that replacing the SR203 with a 3rd party modem/router is possible providing it supports DHCP Option 61” / “MER”.

I therefore am trying to set up a TP Link Archer VR2800 to do the job but keep getting no internet connection (i.e. orange internet light all the time). Below are the steps I have taken so far to no avail:

VR2800 powered on with dsl cable connected to my filtered master phone socket and used laptop to connect to the router via Ethernet (not Wifi)

Navigated in browser to tplinkmodem.net

Created new password in the TP LInk UI to access router settings

Selected Country UK and Time Zone GMT

Selected Sky(MER)_VDSL from list of ISPs

Entered generic credentials as below, as many have said should work:

Username: abcdefgh@skydsl

Password: XXXXXXXXXXabcdef (where XXXXXXXXXX is numbers 1-9 and 0)

Proceeded to test connection and it keeps trying and never resolves (orange internet light never goes white)

This is the point as which I'm stuck. I can set all the wireless config for 2.4 and 5 ghz SSIDs and can connect with devices fine but the VR2800 will just not resolve an internet connection

I've also followed steps in https://www.georgebuckingham.com/sky-fibre-router-vdsl-password/

and attempted to extract my Sky VDSL true credentials using Wireshark but what I see for Option: (61) Client identifier is nothing in the form like =abcdefgh@skydsl|XXXXXXXXXX (where XXXXXXXXXX is numbers 1-9 and 0) it's just random characters like below which maybe encrypted?? Have Sky stopped included credentials in the packets? 

=YM!
=(ºNy

Anyway apologies for the long post, I'm just hoping someone has some advice to get my current £150 brick working. Thanks in advance

[jamesn123]

@WUB525 

I'm not really familar with the TP-Link router's, only Asus. However I am pretty sure you are not supposed to use the Sky preset, is there like a custom one or an Automatic IP option? You need to find a DHCP Option 61 box and the connection string should be abc123@skydsl|abc123

Alternatively some people have had success by enabling IPv6 and using IPv6 DHCP PD. 

[WUB525]

@jamesn123 With the Archer VR2800 you should just be able to select the Sky Mer option and then the username and password which is what I'm trying, that's the point of having the option especially for DCHP Option 61

[ducky79]

im having a similar issue with a AC1600, im on FTTC and just cannot get it to connect. ive managed it by turning the router to AP mode but i still have the sky router too and to be honest the wifi strength was no better. im not sure if the issue was due to me leaving the sky router still sending out wifi too?

are you any closer to fixing the issue?

im trying to sort it so my ring cameras can connect with better wifi.

[WUB525]

Nope got no further, even though others have the same set up I believe and they work fine. I so wanted to ditch the SR203 and just use the VR2800 but looks like I'm stuck and will instead have to try the VR2800 in AP only mode connected to the SR203 via Ethernet and switch the WiFi off on the SR203 and see if the WiFi is more stable that way.

[kleberuk]

Try this:

Tp link sky set up:

1. Connect the network cable from the FTTP wall box to port 4 (labelled LAN/WAN)

2. Login to the router and click advanced at the top.

3. Click Operating Mode and change to "Wireless Router Mode" press "Save"

4. Once ready, while on the "Advanced" setting again, go to "Network" -> "Internet"

5. You will see an empty table, click "Add" in the top right above said table

6. Change Internet Connection Type to "Dynamic IP"

7. Ensure IPv4 remains ticked.

8. Tick IPv6 (wont be selected at the moment)

9. Do not clone mac

10. Press Save

11. Wait, it can take a minute or two but should eventually show connected.

[WUB525]

@kleberuk My setup is not FTTP, it's FTTC

[mchu5pwp]

@WUB525 did you ever get this sorted? Having the same issue.

[WUB525]

@mchu5pwp Nope I just had to put the Archer in AP mode connected to the SR203 in the end. WiFi has improved connecting devices to the Archer but ultimately wanted to get rid of the SR203 completely but can't get it to work

[mchu5pwp]

I used wireshark to also try and sniff the username/password (Option (61) Client identifier) and like you i am getting something strangle like the below - maybe this is why it is not working for us.

®í

[Chrisee]

@mchu5pwp Sky use a generic log in so dont waste time with fireshark the user is anything@skydsl and the password is anything you like. If your router only has one line to enter both fields use a pipe symbol | between the two.

[mchu5pwp]

@Chrisee as per what @WUB525 tried I used the generic username and password. They are separate fields.  Can't share a image for some reason but I've tried the following usernames:

(removed)

With the password (removed) but it doesn't connect. I'm with now broadband and am currently using the Sky SR203 router but hoping to switch the to the TPlink VR600.

I was trying wireshark incase the username and password were something else but no joy

Moderator note: Removed personal/identifiable details

[Bloddy62]

I'm currently using a TP-Link VR2800 with my NowTv connection, which is all but Sky in another name. It's performing really well. 

[Bloddy62]

I obtained my user name and password using Wireshark.

I then used the quick setup.

selecting Sky (MER)_VDSL

Dynamic IP

username from Wireshark

password from Wireshark.

Its working really well, handles my Pihole for all devices. 😀

[Eddy321]

Did anyone get the VR2800 working correctly as I can't use the hub4 as it's causing all sorts of issues want to purchase a vr2800 and bin the hub4 , but people are struggling with the username and password