Sky Broadband Hub and AMPLIFI HD mesh configuration.

[quailed]

I am migrating from Virginmedia to Sky Broadband and currently have my Virginmedia hub configured as Modem Only so that I can utilise my AMPLIFI HD Mesh network throughout my property.  I am trying without success to configure the AMPLIFI HD to work with the Sky Broadband hub but I am unable to obtain the 500mb speed on the ports of the AMPLIFI HD so far I have only managed to test at 90mb.  Is there anyone on the forum who has experience of how to configure the AMPLIFI box before I call it a day and cancel my Sky broadband and revert back to Virginmedia. ?
 

[Chrisee]

@quailed unlike Virgin hubs Sky hubs have no "modem mode" they cannot output a WAN connection. You can use a third party mesh system with a Sky hub but there are issues you have to understand first. 

As you have the units connected currently you have a double NAT - router behind router - which can work perfectly with most apps but you can hit issues with some things like business VPNs etc. The second set up is where the mesh units work in what is known as Access Point or Bridge mode where the routing is only done by the Sky hub see here for Amplifis page on howcto set this up. https://help.amplifi.com/hc/en-us/articles/220979347-Enabling-Bridge-Mode

If you have a 500Mb/s service this means you potentially do not need to use the Sky hub at all unless you need the Sky Talk land line facility. In theory you can connect the Aplifi to the ONT unit that delivers the fibre connection. To do that you would need to configure the Amplifi to authenticate using DHCPv6 PD (prefix delegation) or DHCPv4 Option61. I have no idea if Amplifi offer either option.

if you plan to use the Amplifi for wifi you should disable the wifi on the Sky hub first or the two will interfere. Connect a device directly to the Sky hub and type 102.168.0.1 into a browser to access the interface. Click on Wifi tab and sign in using the username admin and the default wifi password printed on the label. Uncheck the wifi service on both tabs and click to apply. 

[Gmatkinson]

Can I use an Amplifi Mesh HD router without the sky broadband router?

[Chrisee]

@Gmatkinson as I explained above to connect the Amplfi directly tonany UK Sky service (Ireland is different) the firmware must support DHCPv4 Option 61 or on some but not all connections DHCPv6 PD. I could no reference that it did. If you find it in fact does then you can connect the unit to the ONT if your service is delivered over full fibre or to a third party modem if you arexstill on copper.

[TomThumb5ive]

---

@Chrisee wrote:

If you have a 500Mb/s service this means you potentially do not need to use the Sky hub at all unless you need the Sky Talk land line facility. In theory you can connect the Aplifi to the ONT unit that delivers the fibre connection. To do that you would need to configure the Amplifi to authenticate using DHCPv6 PD (prefix delegation) or DHCPv4 Option61. I have no idea if Amplifi offer either option.

[Urbles]

@Gmatkinson yes, you can.

The AmpliFi HD supports DHCP Option 61.

However, you'll need a modem - I use a Huawei HG612 (originally supplied by Sky a LONG time ago!) fed into the WAN port of the AmpliFi.

You'll find the option for Option 61 on the web interface of AmpliFi, NOT on the app.

[Urbles]

@Chrisee AmpliFi do offer it, and it works very well! 

[Chrisee]

@Urbles useful info thanks for posting the Amplfi is not kit thst comes up in the forum frequently.

@Gmatkinson if you use DHCPv4 Option61 you will need to use a login string in the form of 

anything@skydsl|anything where | is a pipe symbol. The Huawei modem quoted is very old and has not been supported for years. These days if you need a VDSL modem the best choice is to buy a cheap TP-Link modem router for around £30 and set it up in bridge mode. If you, have full fibre the Amplifi connects directly to the ONT.

[Gmatkinson]

Well after some completely random tweaking of settings, I was up and running within an hour. 

No seperate modem needed. All running through the Amplifi Mesh HD system. Clearly I'm not an expert but if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[Damian5]

Hi all. I'm also trying to connect my Amplifi Mesh system directly to my Sky broadband without the Sky router. I'm not technical but my local (not Sky) engineer couldn't manage it when he tried yesterday, despite trying DHCPv4.

If any of you can give any other detailed directions that he can follow I'd really appreciate it.

Tagging @Gmatkinson @Chrisee @Urbles @quailed as it looks like you guys have been there ahead of me!

Cheers

[Chrisee]

@Damian5 all of the instructions of how ro connect the Amplifi unit to the ONT are all posted above. I am not aware that your Amplifi unit supports Sky's standard DHCPv4 Option61 authentication method if it does you will need to add the log in string posted above. If it doesn't you can try to use the alternate DHCPv6 PD method but not every exchange supports that unfortunately as it's down to who made the exchange equipment..

The alternative is to use the Amplifi behind the Sky hub either in a Double NAT set up which works for most apps or in Access Point mode which is the simplest set up.

[Damian5]

Thanks for replying @Chrisee. Really appreciate it. Hopefully he can work something out as I assume direct from Amplifi will be faster than having the Sky router in the set up.

[Chrisee]

@Damian5 no impact on either connection speed or wifi speed with any of the connection methods. The Amplifi is probably a better router than the Sky hub but in use I doubt most users would see a difference. The msin gain over the Sky hub alone is improved wifi coverage.

[Damian5]

Thanks @Chrisee 

Forgive me for being thick. So Amplifi on own gives better coverage than Sky hub on own?  Or Amplifi on own gives better coverage than Amplifi + Sky hub?

Thanks again

[JimM1]

@Damian5 @Chrisee 

Let me jump in here as i may have caused confusion between the extra post.

Chrisee and Damian, the Sky router And the Amplifi are both good and probably equal to each other

but amplifi would be better probably due to the newer technical.

Your setup is complicated, the fact that you have also 3 remote Amplifi Mesh RE/Booster's,

all of your other devices, the largeness of your property, and then THE Q boxes and as on the post

before, your setup is probably not good, and all of the WiFi wireless, is trying to compete for that airspace.

Hope i did not cause confusion by having the OP reach out.

Jim