Router to replace sky hub on FTTP 500mb connection

kully1972

kully1972

kully1972

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Hi All.
I was looking to replace the sky hub with a top link axe75 or possibly a new Asus.
Anyone had experience of this?
I don't want to miss sky hub in modem mode as it's ugly having two devices.
Thanks
 
I presume you mean FTTP 500Mb? Presumably you have the fibre ONT installed on the wall, which you can't remove?

So you'll definitely need a 2nd device (router) still regardless, whether it be Sky's stock supplied one or your own third party.
 
Thanks for your replies. Yes I have FTTP and not FTTC!
I think I can get away with an ASUS/ Gli Flint with merlin software which gives me the option 61 MER authentication setting.
Flint 3 look promising and should be getting released soon. Might wait for a few months
 
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Get ASUS at your peril. I'm all for giving companies second (or even third chances) but ASUS constantly failing and October to November 2024 when they had critical vulnerabilities installing malware on the router was hilarious.

You may be asking "BUT BUT MERLIN!!!" yeah I also think it's a bad idea to leave your whole networking security to one person on the internet. Imagine RMerlin dies tomorrow that leaves your custom firmware router basically useless until the next ASUS vulnerability is found (give it a couple months lol).

It doesn't have to be the Flint 2 but just get something capable of running OpenWRT. Right now a good shout is the Linksys SPNMX56 which can be had for around £40. It's Dual band Wifi 6 that got OpenWRT support this week. Yeah it's a tad of a learning curve but atleast you then know security is a non issue for as long as that device can still power on.

OpenWRT ofcourse has Option 61 support. More info here: https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/comments/134mb08/sky_fttp_with_openwrt_router/

Also if you do go GL Inet instructions in post 23 here: https://forum.gl-inet.com/t/sky-dsl-dhcp-61/46043
 
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You will lose your sky telephone connection if you remove the sky hub. I never used the landline so it didn't bother me but it may be important to you.
 
I recently bought a TP Link BE230 for £100 to replace my plusnet hub. It's plugged directly into the ONT. I have some firesticks and found my phone fire TV app was not picking them up easily. With the TP link they are instantly found. Wifi speeds are faster, but do drop off with distance. It also has a 2.5Gb port which may come in useful at some point. I did look at the BE550, but it's double the price. There are probably cheaper and more configurable options, but I'm happy enough. TBF the flint 2 does look decent for not much more and is 4x4 vs 2x2. I just wanted to go cheap until wifi 7 properly arrives and I'm in the process of trying to wire up my home, so I don't know what will be my best option once I have a wired backhaul.
 
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Hans, Ozy and Greg. Thanks for all your well made points. You seem knowledgeable and huge appreciation on making an informed decision
I do like the flint 2 and yes you're right about the custom merlin software.
Let me see what bargains are available...
Just to throw a spanner in the works I have an old Draytek 2862ac which appears to have support for option 61.
I'm getting my connection in the extension week or two and I'll see how it plays out.
The flint 3 looks amazing and maybe worth waiting for!
 
I think you're right. It caps out at 400mb/s and you have to make sure all the other WLANS are off.
I've decided to try the AXE75 when sky activate my fibre and should it fail I'll stick with the Draytek for the time being and eventually buy the flint 3.
I think we are a few months away from way more options for WiFi 7 and dropping of prices.
 
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GregI said:
Get ASUS at your peril. I'm all for giving companies second (or even third chances) but ASUS constantly failing and October to November 2024 when they had critical vulnerabilities installing malware on the router was hilarious.

You may be asking "BUT BUT MERLIN!!!" yeah I also think it's a bad idea to leave your whole networking security to one person on the internet. Imagine RMerlin dies tomorrow that leaves your custom firmware router basically useless until the next ASUS vulnerability is found (give it a couple months lol).

It doesn't have to be the Flint 2 but just get something capable of running OpenWRT. Right now a good shout is the Linksys SPNMX56 which can be had for around £40. It's Dual band Wifi 6 that got OpenWRT support this week. Yeah it's a tad of a learning curve but atleast you then know security is a non issue for as long as that device can still power on.

OpenWRT ofcourse has Option 61 support. More info here: https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/comments/134mb08/sky_fttp_with_openwrt_router/

Also if you do go GL Inet instructions in post 23 here: https://forum.gl-inet.com/t/sky-dsl-dhcp-61/46043
Click to expand...
To be fair to ASUS here though, they did patch all routers, even EOL as far back as 2012.

The issue was basically if you were exposed to the internet (WAN Access - which you shouldn't be doing anyway!) and you had AICloud on.

They pushed signature updates too as soon as they knew, which also protected routers whilst they pushed out FW updates.

Bash them all you want, but how many other manufacturers would do that (Looking at TP-Link here - https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/18/us_govt_probes_tplink_routers/)
 
superleeds27 said:
To be fair to ASUS here though, they did patch all routers, even EOL as far back as 2012.
Click to expand...

The problem is that ASUS has a long history (back to 2013 in the US FTC case) of not patching flaws until forced by fines, import restrictions etc. This combined with their aggressive marketing (endless paid 'infuencers') and exaggerated claims for devices is what makes many of us avoid them like the plague.
 
superleeds27 said:
Can the Beryl AX be used with the Flint 2 to extend an existing WiFi channel?

Similar to what 'AImesh' is on the Asus products
Click to expand...
I had a beryl ax for a bit and at first used it to do just that (not with a fint). It worked very well. Sadly I took it on holiday, which was the reason I bought it in the first place and found it wouldn't work with a captive portal. I tried everything. As my returns window was closing I decided to send it back.
 
hans gruber said:
I had a beryl ax for a bit and at first used it to do just that (not with a fint). It worked very well. Sadly I took it on holiday, which was the reason I bought it in the first place and found it wouldn't work with a captive portal. I tried everything. As my returns window was closing I decided to send it back.
Click to expand...
Looks like you can't do it 'properly' it's doable but looks like a bit of a headache to setup.

Was in the market for an upgrade from my AX86S (was going to go with the AX86U Pro) but the flint caught my eye
 
  • Thought Id give an update. AXE75 working like a champ and Ive completely replaced sky router.
  • Looks like my connection doesnt require the option 61 authentication and theres an 80 percent chance you wont.
 
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