I’m changing from Plusnet to Sky soon just wondering if I need to do anything before it becomes a problem. In theory I’m not changing the router/mesh system unless I have to so should everything happily carry on? Or will there be a massive explosion…..
SimonClarke make sure you can access the system through its own access point. If you don't know the password, you can use use WiFi to connect to built in http server and configure the AP.
You may not need it, but ...
SimonClarke Depends on the router you have. Can it do DHCP Option 61? If not then you're going to have a problem with using it on Sky.
Morning thanks for the swift reply! Excuse my ignorance but do you mean the password for the Givenergy Cloud? If so I know that. Or is the dongle one different?
Vestas its an Archer VR400. Where would I find DHCP option 61?
SimonClarke Presumably somewhere on the internet connection setup page?
Note that not all TP-Link routers support Option61 so you're probably better off asking on their forum.
If you're on FTTH ("real" fibre) then in theory the router can use IPv6 PD to authenticate but I'm unsure if that's all areas of the Sky network or not. If you're on VDSL2 (FTTC) then you will require a router which understands DHCP Option 61.
If you have a google around you'll find literally thousands of posts/articles regarding Sky and Option61.
Edit - Option 61 is sometimes erroneously called MER (MAC Encapsulated Routing) on some routers.
SimonClarke the dongle has its own WiFi access point, which has its own password. In addition, the dongle has its own http server, again with user/passed, but those are usually unchanged from admin/admin.
Vestas I can’t find any mention on the router or on line - admittedly a very quick look. We aren’t on full fibre but I spoke to one of the gang of Openreach guys working on our road and it is waiting to be turned on. I guess if the worst happens I’ll have to use the Sky router, it’s just a lot of faffing about because of its physical position.
SimonClarke You are aware that if you want to use the "phone" service you'll have to use a Sky router?
There are ways around that but they're too complex for the average user (and requires a "proper" router) as it involves subnetting the IPV6 allocation to an ATA device.
Vestas
God rid of the landline 'cos it was costing circa £12/month and the only people who ever called us on it were my mum and scammers.
SteveCook weirdly we only get scammers and my daughter! Otherwise she spends half her life on her iPhone….Landline phone doesn’t cost anything if we don’t dial out. Sounds more than likely we’ll end up using the sky router
SteveCook You can't get rid of the "landline" on Sky & save any cash as its bundled into the broadband price, much like most other ISPs since the advent of "digital voice" (VoIP)....
Vestas
Thanks. I am on BT and i think I get rid of landline about 6 months ago when I had to renew. A new router arrived saying something like "in the future when we get rid of copper this will do digital voice". No date on FTTH yet though even though Openreach keep digging holes in the road
SteveCook Openreach have been very busy round here for months and most of our (large) village is connected. I would have waited for it to be finished but our contract is out.
SimonClarke Wait, you're moving to Sky on VDSL2 and fibre will be available soon?
If so then I'd rethink that. As an existing customer you won't get a decent deal on FTTH when it arrives. You'll have to navigate the chatbots on the phone to get to anyone in retentions, which can take several hours apparently.
SteveCook Its nothing to do with fibre or removing copper. All voice services will be delivered using VoIP by January 2027 - no exceptions - and the only way of avoiding it (for now) is to remain with your existing provider (and don't enter a new contract), although they'll be rolling it out gradually anyway. If you move to another ISP then the "landline" will no longer carry voice, it'll all be via the router.
Vestas so I had to look up FTTH ….! At the moment the new Sky puck operates ultra hd perfectly well so I may not bother “upgrading” to full fibre unless I have to as what will I gain?
SimonClarke Fair enough if you're happy with that. Eventually you'll have to be switched over as the VDSL2 cabinets you have in your area get decommissioned but that'll take a fair while.
Vestas I guess I’ll look at it when it becomes a thing/must do
This all it says on tp link about the VR400 and dhcp
Server, Client, DHCP Client List, Address Reservation, DHCP Relay
Is that useful?
SimonClarke It'll be on the internet connection setup pages if its anywhere.
Vestas looked through all the instructions no joy
SimonClarke A quick google suggests there's an option in the setup (wizard maybe) to select Sky (MER) as the ISP. If there isn't then I suggest you check what firmware version you're running.
Vestas Yes found it and it says Sky vdsl
SimonClarke Bear in mind if you end up swapping the VR400 for the Sky router (or vice-versa) that Sky use a 60 minute DHCP lease on IPv4 addresses.
The simple upshot of this is if you swap routers (and hence the MAC address the ISP sees) then it won't re-auth until the previous lease expires. This is going to take at least 40 minutes.
This is only applicable to VDSL2 services* and anyone on fibre should (in theory) be authing via IPv6-PD so there's no significant delay (5 minutes or so) between swapping routers.
Just something to bear in mind if things don't work immediately.
*in certain areas (probably most now) VDSL2 services will also auth using IPv6-PD
Vestas if I’m honest you have gone beyond my understanding and ability! I’m going to hopefully carry on with the tp link. Thanks for attempting to help me!
I'm changing my internet provider from BT to Toob at the end of the month. Luckily my inverter is hard wired to a network switch. Will there be any issue with the installer access to our system as the new internet connection will have a new SSID?
No, the SSID is just for local wifi connections in your home. The installer should still have access via the internet.
Found this on the Sky Community Forums if it's of any help
https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Broadband/Replacing-sky-hub/m-p/4571231#M377656
So switched to Sky this morning. Changed from Plusnet to Sky mer vdsl and entered the address and password on the Sky community help post above (at least I think it is as I can’t open the link) and it just worked using my old Tp link vr400. Nothing else changed as I also am using Tp link mesh system so no WiFi changes needed. Surprisingly easy….. touches wood!