Correct configuration for Sky Q with minis and non-Sky Broadband wifi

[vjejoy]

I feel sure that many people must have this configuration, but I am struggling in spite of two Sky engineer visits and some help from users. on another thread about conditions for simultaneous mini use. But that thread drifted, some I am restarting here.

I have:

. 2TB Sky Q Main

. 3x Sky Q Mini

. 1 x Sky Booster

. 1 x Airband (BB provider) LinkSys Router

. 2 x Tp-Link 5Ghz/2.4GHz repeaters

A six bedrooom house with some old and thick walls

I can measure dBm loss anywhere on both 5Ghz and 2.4GHz networks

I can see the IP addresses of all the devices on the network (all 192.168.1.x)

I have no reported difficulties with standard WiFi access on non-Sky devices

I have no neighbouring Wi-Fi networks which I can see

So, what are the conditions required for reliable working of the Sky system?

I believe it to be:

. Connect Sky Main to WiFi n 2.4GHz  - I use fixed IP but I'm not sure that's a requirement

. Connect Booster - it has no user configuration, but it shows on the IP network with DHCP address and both 5GHz and 2.4GHz 

. Set up Minis with <-70dBm loss on 5GHz network; turn off 2.4GHz (not used on non-Sky WiFi [correct?]); turn off Eco (Sky Engineer recommended) [correct?]

. Not more than two Minis out of standby at once [correct. or does one have to be unpowered?]

. Ensure Radio bands are not conflicting; I have SKY0xxxx on 5GHz Band 36; Airband Router and repeaters on 5GHz Bands 48 and 100; and Airband repeaters on 2.4GHz Band 1

I have this, but problem is it's completely unstable. Messages not even consistent: Technical Fault; Unable to Connect, Blank screen, etc; intermittent dropout "connectivity issue",  etc

I have been advised by Sky Engineer to wire the Sky Main to the router, which I will do, but I can't see why this is relevant unless there is radio interference.

Can anyone spot any obvious errors here?

Many thanks in advance

CW

[vjejoy · Accepted solution]

On the recommendation of the Sky engineer,  I have temporarily wired the Q main to the router. I was very sceptical,  but this seems to be working after a few configuration changes. I had to do  a factory reset on most of the boxes and bring them up one by one to get it to work. It is now:

Connect Sky Q Main to Airband (Linksys) router using cable. I use fixed IP. I'm not sure that's a requirement, but it removes any issues with DCHP lease running out. I had to do a reset to get it to offer wired connection on the Internet menu.

. Connect Booster - it has no user configuration, but it shows on the IP network with DHCP addresses on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz

. Set up Minis with <-70dBm loss from nearest booster or Q box on 5GHz network; turn off 2.4GHz (not used on non-Sky WiFi).  Fixed IP address to mitigate DHCP lease expiring issues

. Not more than two Minis out of standby at once

. Ensure Radio bands are not conflicting; I have SKY0xxxx on 5GHz Band 36; Airband Router and repeaters on 5GHz Bands 48 and 100; and Airband repeaters on 2.4GHz Band 1

When inspecting net configuration,  it shows the minis as connected on wired, which indicates they are going via the main q box for their Internet connection.

I also had to reset my Airband TP-Link repeaters. I didn't have to reset the Linksys router. 

• I still don't know exactly why the 2.4GHz connection from main Q to router goes unstable, even with fixed IP address. I would love an explanation for this  but I'm content for now. If it is stable for a week, I'll get someone in to run a cable permanently.

I hope this helps someone with nonSky broadband.

CW

[Chodley]

Sky minis always connect to the main box and not direct to the router if you are on any router other than the older Sky ones. Ethernet is always the best option if you can make it (or powerlines) work.

[vjejoy]

Thanks @Chodley 

1. I would like to establish exactly WHY the wired connection is more stable. Speed? Bandwidth? Latency? QOS? to add this to my ideal config for non-Sky routers. I can't help myself - I'm a satellite engineering manager and I HAVE to know WHY something works!

2. I wouldn't like to question a superuser (!) but I'm sure I have seen the mini Qs connect directly to the (non-Sky) Router over wifi. If I get the current config really stable and I can be sure to get back to it, I will try and reproduce this.

3. I am getting suspicious of Sky software updates, so I will add the SW version to my congfig data. The reason is that I had to reset everything to factory to get it to work.

CW

[Chodley]

The minis seem to connect to the router initially to listen out for Q broadcast packets (of which there are many) that tell it how to make a direct connection to the main box.

I don't know why the wifi connection is so unstable.

Factory config reset does not downgrade the firmware. But maybe you didn't mean that?

[vjejoy]

@Chodley Thanks. I would have to spend a bunch of time with a traffic analyser to get to the bottom of the minis talking to the router, but I don't have time to spend on alot of reverse engineering at the moment, annoying as it is. It just seems to set up better if the 2.4GHz is disabled on the minis. All very frustrating given that Sky could just explain how it works so that users can get the best out of the system ......

My Broadband/Wi-Fi mostly does 150Mbut/sec & 200Mbit/sec respectively, so I wouldn't expect speed to be an issue .

I'll record all the config information from the boxes now so that I can check if anything changes behind my back.

CW