Using Netgear RAX200 instead of Sky Hub

[sn00py]

Hello, 

I'm having issues with my network set up because of double NAT - currently I have the Sky Hub connecting to a Netgear RAX200 which gives me a much better WiFi signal however I am not getting the full speeds I want (I have half a gig FTTP).  

I am not able to set the Sky hub to bridge mode so I have to ditch the hub entirely, and the RAX supports the protocol Sky uses, but I'm not sure how to set it all up.  Connecting the cable to the router in the Internet port isn't working, and so I am wondering if anyone can help me get it all going? 

Thank you very much! 

[mae-3]

The RAX200 with firmware release V1.0.1.12 and above support DHCP Option 61 which is what is used by Sky for authentication. The DHCP Option 61 string should be filled in with 'anything@skydsl|anything' once the firmware has been updated and without the single quotes in the string. These settings you'll find these in the WAN interface on Netgear.

[sn00py]

Thank you very much for responding so quickly! 

I appear to have the most recent firmware 

 

I don't see any option 61 reference in WAN, but it does ask if I need a username/password for my connection, so I guess the values you mention go there.  

Do you happen to know what connection type I need? 

Additionally,  should it be set to always on? Can you see anything else I may need to change, if it isn't too much trouble?

 

 

 

[mae-3 · Accepted solution]

"Open a web browser on a device that is connected to your RAX200 router. Enter the router's IP address into the browser's address bar and press Enter. The default IP address for the RAX200 is 192.168.1.1, but if you have changed it, use the new IP address instead. Enter your router's username and password to log in. If you haven't changed these, the default username is "admin" and the default password is "password".Once you're logged in, click on the "Advanced" tab at the top of the page, and then select "Advanced Setup" from the left-hand menu. Click on "DHCP Client" from the list of options. Scroll down to the "DHCP Option" section and click on the "+" button to add a new DHCP option. Enter "61" as the option number and the desired value for option 61 in the "Data" field. Click "Apply" to save the changes."

Taken from chatGPT.

[Anonymous]

Hi they sorry closed

[sn00py]

Thank you very much Mae, I have it working! Thumbs up for you, and thumbs down for Sky for not allowing Bridge mode on Sky Hub! 

[Andy30]

Hi mae

i have the same problem but when I look in the advance setting there's no DHCP client setting there.

can you help please

[Anonymous]

@Andy30 You might like to try the suggestion towards the end of this thread https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-with-WiFi-6-AX-and/RAX200-FTTP-Sky-Fibre/m-p/2301632

Alternatively., and what I do myself,  run the supplied modem/router but  turn off the WiFi. Connected an Asus Mesh system and set it in AP mode. 

My experience is that it is fast and reliable in this set up.

I do lose some functionality on my Asus Mesh in AP mode, but to be honest, I don't really understand all the functions anyway.

[Andy30]

thanks

managed eventualy with a cobo of differant forums to sort it .

one thing for anyone else having this problem is make sure in the WAN setup if you are on copper conection i had to tick the "support british telecom(bt)IGMP proxying" button.

this was final peice in puzzle!

[MrDrone]

My experience is that this 'anything@skydslanything' does not really work.

In my view, there's no successfully documented approach and this is particularly frustrating.   

I have used  the following guide: https://www.georgebuckingham.com/sky-fibre-router-vdsl-password/ and the output from 'Option: (61) Client identifier' on Wireshark does not even contain 'anything@skydslanything'.   I believe this has been changed this year or it has been encoded. 

What is even more interesting is that the 'Client Identifier' value changed after 15 DHCP discovery requests, this is clearly a case of a dynamic authentication that the Hub is doing using something like MD5 + datetime or something similar. 

As it stands, I unable to replace the SkyHub and this will be the reason I will return to Plusnet or BT.

[mae-3]

@MrDrone 

The client identifier DHCP Option 61 should be 'anything@skydsl|anything' notice the pipe '|' symbol in the string.

[MrDrone]

So @mae-3 

Just to document what needs to have in place to work on a XR500: 

1. Try with the 'anything@skydsl|anything' notice the pipe '|' symbol in the string for Option 61 DHCP auth. 

2. Clone the Broadband port mac address.

3. Enable BT IGMP proxying.  

Anything else? 

[mae-3]

@MrDrone 

Just number 1. on your list is necessary nothing else needs to be done. 😀

[MrDrone]

Just tested this morning and it does not work. 

Cancelling Sky next Monday.  

[sn00py]

Mr Drone, for me to sucessfully make the RAX200 work with Sky I did the following: 

Unplug hub.  Wait 30 minutes.  Full factory reset, run through the standard 'netgear' setup - no internet.  Add connection 61 string - no internet.  Change ipv6 connection to DCHP = success!

I have been using the RAX200 like this for a good while now, with no issues.  It is possible.