Replacing a BT Smarthub

gupott · 15 Dec 2018 at 10:05

Hi there,

I am a bit of a networking numpty and need some advice.

I currently have BT Infinity and a BT Smarthub. I have the wifi turned off as I use Devolo 1200 homeplugs for wifi duties. From the smart hub I run one Ethernet cable into a Netgear 16port switch which takes ethernet to varies devices like my TV, PS4, BT box and off around my house via installed ethernet cables etc. I run this one cable to the switch because I had read that the Smarthub was not a great switch.

Anyway, I was wondering whether I could improve on the BT Smarthub and was looking at Vigor 130 ADSL/VDSL2 Modem. So could I use this product as a replacement for the Smarthub? Do I need a separate router? Is there anything else I should look at?

Thanks

bremen1874 · 15 Dec 2018 at 10:17

The Vigor 130 modem is a modem. You’d want a separate router to plug into it as well.

Why are you using the setup you are? It’s an odd way of doing things.

What do you want to achieve?

How much are you willing to spend?

gupott · 15 Dec 2018 at 11:22

Thanks for the reply

The WiFi is turned off as it would not work with my music software which is controlled by tablet (Roon). Turning off the WiFi on the smart hub and leaving it on the honeplugs cleared it up.

As for the use of the switch it was just because of the numbers of devices which need connection behind the TV.

As for what to achieve, the current setup feels slightly flakey with devices connected to the switch so I would generally like a more stable router/modem setup.

So I guess I am looking for a modem and router combo then although the router doesn't need to do WiFi.

bremen1874 · 15 Dec 2018 at 11:51

‘Flakey’? In what way?

The odd thing was using Powerline adapters for your only wireless.

Weird that you have a system that doesn’t work on the wireless of a router as common as a BT hub.

You still haven’t mentioned a budget.

gupott · 15 Dec 2018 at 12:48

Using the powerline adapters was a weird one, but it has been trouble free since dropping the router wifi. In fact I was just about to pull the trigger on a mesh solution a year or so ago but the adapters have had so few issues I have held back. They will get replaced at some point. The Roon guys basically said it would be the adapters that would be the issue and not the router, but it seemed to be other way around. Anyway, I digress.

'flakey' is a good way to describe it as the issues are basically inconsistent, occasional disconnects, inconsistent speeds, can't always connect over Ethernet but no issues are constant and there are lots of variables in play (cables, switches, internet connection itself). In fact it can be fine but I wondered if I could do a bit better with a modem/router replacement.

As for budget - £100-£200 I suppose.

gupott · 15 Dec 2018 at 13:27

How about a Draytek Vigor 130 ADSL/VDSL Ethernet Modem into a TP-Link TL-R600 wired router?

Later on I can then just add the mesh solution when I am ready and until then continue to use the powerlines for wifi.

bremen1874 · 15 Dec 2018 at 17:29

Unless you have a good reason not to, buy a secondhand HG612 VDSL modem rather than the Vigor.

With money saved on that you could probably afford a mesh system now and avoid wasting money on short term solutions.

Silicon Si · 15 Dec 2018 at 19:35

bremen1874 said:
Unless you have a good reason not to, buy a secondhand HG612 VDSL modem rather than the Vigor.

With money saved on that you could probably afford a mesh system now and avoid wasting money on short term solutions.

<---------This, an Openreach HG612 v3 used from that auction site for about £10 then pick a router.

Alpherah · 16 Dec 2018 at 07:37

If you use BT tv be careful - many routers don’t play well with the service

gupott · 16 Dec 2018 at 11:14

I could get that modem but I think its only 10/100 and so if my internet speed ever increases I will need a new modem I assume. That would be the downside.

Anyone ever use the UBIQUITI Networks ERLITE ERLite-3?

bremen1874 · 16 Dec 2018 at 12:28

It's a VDSL modem so wouldn't benefit from having faster ports.

If you have a broadband connection that's faster than 100Mbps it isn't going to be VDSL and you'll need a new modem. This will be true for a £10 HG612 or a £70 Vigor 130.

Avalon · 16 Dec 2018 at 12:29

rosscouk said:
I could get that modem but I think its only 10/100 and so if my internet speed ever increases I will need a new modem I assume. That would be the downside.

Anyone ever use the UBIQUITI Networks ERLITE ERLite-3?

With respect, you are massively missing the point.

You've ignored getting the HH working which should have been simple and free (start by turning off smart set-up). Instead you paid for a product that combines two notoriously variable technologies (wifi and power line) and unsurprisingly described the whole set-up as 'flaky'. You then read online that the switch on the HH isn't that good (I hate the HH's, but c'mon, it's no worse than any other gigabit switch) and suddenly want to throw more money at improving things with hardware that is unsuitable, when it's politely pointed out that this won't work and other options are suggested, your argument against spending £10 on a HG612 which is a well proven modem used by many, many people because if your internet speed increased (not going to happen on FTTC), then you'd have to buy another modem. FTTC is 80/20 max, that's not changing any time soon, faster products from any UK OR supplied ISP requires g.fast or fttp(od) and both come with new hardware, also it's £10 vs the £70-80 for a new Vigor 130.

Make a choice, either spend the time on resolving the HH issue or the money on another solution, but wherever you have been reading to get advice from is an awful source of information, or you've misunderstood/taken it out of context, either way please, please stop throwing money at bad ideas and looking for downsides.

gupott · 16 Dec 2018 at 17:04

Thanks for the replies.

bremen1874 said:
It's a VDSL modem so wouldn't benefit from having faster ports.

If you have a broadband connection that's faster than 100Mbps it isn't going to be VDSL and you'll need a new modem. This will be true for a £10 HG612 or a £70 Vigor 130.

Thanks that is really helpful.

Avalon said:
Instead you paid for a product that combines two notoriously variable technologies (wifi and power line) and unsurprisingly described the whole set-up as 'flaky'

Thats not strictly true, the powerlines were originally about extending the wifi, and I have said previously they have actually been really good.

Avalon said:
Make a choice, either spend the time on resolving the HH issue or the money on another solution, but wherever you have been reading to get advice from is an awful source of information, or you've misunderstood/taken it out of context, either way please, please stop throwing money at bad ideas and looking for downsides.

I haven't committed to anything yet so not just throwing money at it. One of the challenges for me is to specifically identify the problem which is non-specific, e.g. 'flakey'. The main reason to post on here is to get more information to help my understanding.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. If I was to replace the Smarthub I now know the Vigor maybe overkill. I also know that whatever I purchase might not solve the problem, as I havent really been able to define it properly, so it would be hit and hope at best. Perhaps the best way forward for myself is to really try and pin down the issues with the smarthub before deciding a course of action. The alternative is to purchase say the Openreach HG612 v3 modem and a router of my choice accepting that it would be a hit and hope solution.

bremen1874 · 16 Dec 2018 at 17:19

Is there any reason you aren't looking for a replacement router that has an internal modem?

When things get 'flakey' is it the local network or the internet connection?

If the BT hub is actually faulty you may find that they'll replace it.

It could equally well be a phone line related problem that needs to be fixed.

Caged · 16 Dec 2018 at 18:13

FWIW the Smart Hub is not an unstable/unreliable piece of kit if you're running a firmware from the past year or so (it's automatically updated so you will be).

If the 'flakiness' is Wi-Fi devices dropping out then I'd look at your powerline things - maybe have a device that is connected to the Smart Hub's Wi-Fi to test that theory. If the 'flakiness' is the VDSL sync dropping out then you either have a faulty Smart Hub or a line fault. Buying modems and routers won't fix a line fault.