Router to replace sky hub on FTTP 500mb connection

kully1972

kully1972

kully1972

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Joined
23 May 2015
Posts
396
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!
 
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