Sky FTTP with TP Link Archer C6

[Hezi64]

Hi all,

Apologies for this thread as I know there are a million of them on the forum already, however I'm looking for some more specifics.

My FTTP is installing on 14th October and my current setup is a Virgin Home Hub set to Modem Mode directly linked to my TP Link Archer C6 A1200 router as the speeds and coverage are infinitely better. Having read the forum though I note this is not an option soon as Sky Hubs do not have a Modem-only mode (god only knows why!?!)

I'm looking for the easiest route possible here which seems to be turning the Sky Hub wifi signal off and connecting the Archer C6 as an Access Point. I have read this can cause NAT issues which may cause problems for my PS4/5. Is there an easy fix to Double NAT issues, I read somewhere about Bridging? Sorry all a bit new to me the whole Access Point thing.

My other question is that I am using TP Link OneMesh extenders to create a Mesh network and improve speeds upstairs. Anyone know if the above setup would cause issues with the Mesh network? (I'm not bothered about Sky Mesh as I only have 1  main Q box and no Sky Extenders)

I'm basically looking to avoid an 80 quid outlay on a Draytek Vigor 130 modem as much as possible. Is this gonna be a case of set up the C6 as access point and wait and see what happens/what issues I face?

[simon194 · Accepted solution]

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@Hezi64 wrote:

Hi all,

Apologies for this thread as I know there are a million of them on the forum already, however I'm looking for some more specifics.

My FTTP is installing on 14th October and my current setup is a Virgin Home Hub set to Modem Mode directly linked to my TP Link Archer C6 A1200 router as the speeds and coverage are infinitely better. Having read the forum though I note this is not an option soon as Sky Hubs do not have a Modem-only mode (god only knows why!?!)

I'm looking for the easiest route possible here which seems to be turning the Sky Hub wifi signal off and connecting the Archer C6 as an Access Point. I have read this can cause NAT issues which may cause problems for my PS4/5. Is there an easy fix to Double NAT issues, I read somewhere about Bridging? Sorry all a bit new to me the whole Access Point thing.

My other question is that I am using TP Link OneMesh extenders to create a Mesh network and improve speeds upstairs. Anyone know if the above setup would cause issues with the Mesh network? (I'm not bothered about Sky Mesh as I only have 1  main Q box and no Sky Extenders)

I'm basically looking to avoid an 80 quid outlay on a Draytek Vigor 130 modem as much as possible. Is this gonna be a case of set up the C6 as access point and wait and see what happens/what issues I face?

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With FTTP you have an ONT (Optical Network Terminator) fitted which does the same thing as a modem and the router is connected to ONT using an ethernet cable to the WAN port on the router. The router need to be able to handle Sky's DHCP Option 61 (MER) authentication which I believe your TP-Link router can handle.

I don't have any experience of the OneMesh kit so can't comment on it's setup.

[Hezi64]

Simon this might be the best news I've heard all day.

I hadn't realised that the ONT would essentially act as the modem and that the router WAN could be connected directly to it! I believe the latest TP Link fimrware update did add the Sky MER option so hopefully this should be plug and play.

Having been with Virgin for so long, and the FTTP ONT being so new, I guess the other info I was getting was slightly outdated.

I'll await installation, setup the Sky Hub then once working change over to my TP Link.

Thanks again for all your help here!

[Paul+shaw]

Hi @Hezi64 

how did you get on with fitting the TP-Link, I have tried both a vr900 and AX50 with no luck. Would appreciate some help if you have achieved a connection. Thanks

[Signum-GB]

Definately not plug and play. I am seeing contradictory posts over various threads..... If I figure this one out with my own TP-LINK connecting into an Openreach ONT with sky fibre as the ISP, I will note all the details down. 

[Eyewash01]

@Hezi64 Did you get it working with the C6 AC1200?

[Signum-GB]

@Eyewash01 Hi, I have a possible solution I have yet to try. Working in the evenings just now so not had a chance to give it a go but been given good pointers by @-rpnz- . 

Cheers

[Eyewash01]

Ah thanks - are the pointer from @-rpnz- you mention available in a post on here somewhere?

[Signum-GB]

@Eyewash01 

Not yet. Was going to post once successfully done. 

Cheers

[Eyewash01]

Update: have now tried this myself with the Archer C6 and no luck

[Eyewash01]

FYI to everyone in here, mine has been working for a week now, so I think I've cracked it.

After screwing around with the settings lots, I decided to do a factory reset, skipped the "Quick Setup", went straight to "Advanced", and changed only the settings below, and it worked:

More info regarding logging and why there's no ipv6 address here:

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Broadband/TP-Link-AC2100-on-FTTP-BT-Openreach-but-sky-fibre-as-provider...

[Gareth2309]

so to confirm:

I am looking to purchase Archer C6, am I correct in thinking if I replace my sky router with this and use the settings as above all should be ok?

Thanks

[Eyewash01]

Hi @Gareth2309 - indeed it's working fine for me.  Remember this is for FTTP (i.e. full fibre), not FTTC (regular ADSL).  If you have the latter, there's a variety of other threads about this.

[Gareth2309]

I have Sky superfast Broadband????

[Skull+Treaty]

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@Eyewash01 wrote:

Hi @Gareth2309 - indeed it's working fine for me.  Remember this is for FTTP (i.e. full fibre), not FTTC (regular ADSL).  If you have the latter, there's a variety of other threads about this.

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FTTC is VSDL, not ADSL - that is different again.