@Joseph-TP Excuse my lack of understanding, but I have a  Fibre internet connection directly into an ONT on my property (FTTP) so why would the devices I need to work with Sky Full Fibre be DSL Modem routers as I won't need to use the DSL modem mode?

I thought I would just need a router connected via ethernet to the ONT? Or is it just the case that only TP Link's DSL Modem routers support the authentication method required for Sky FTTP?

Will any of TP Link's Wi-Fi routers work as a direct replacement for my Sky Hub?

  @rhysjames1000 

Hi,

Only TP-Link's DSL modem routers support DHCP Option 61/MER and that only when actually using a DSL connection.

Therefore, if you do require DHCP Option 61/MER, then the answer to your last question is no.

However, I think it would be best if you asked Sky directly whether your particular FTTP Fibre internet connection does indeed require DHCP Option 61/MER or not. Do not just go by some posts you found in forums.
 

@woozle OK thank you, it did sound like the previous response was in relation to a DSL connection, not FTTP.

I will ask Sky directly which I avoided initially due to low expectation of getting any sort of coherent answer based on previous interactions.

Depending on Sky's response (or lack of), I might have to look elsewhere which is a shame as I really wanted to use a TP Link product as I have their Powerline products with a WiFi Extender. I want to create a Mesh WiFi network rather than having two separate SSID's.

Seems bonkers that TP link don't fully support one of the UK's largest providers event though they do use a niche authentication method.

@woozle So I’ve just been on the phone with Sky's 'Technical Support' for over an hour and the operative did say the authentication was DHCP Option 61 but it was clear that this information was obtained via the same internet forums and searches that I’ve been looking at. When pushed for a Sky source, the operative tried contacting various departments and colleagues but the information was not forthcoming.

On the basis it is DHCP Option 61 and TP Link doesn't support this, I would have to go with another manufacturer however they don't support Easy Mesh so it wouldn't integrate with my TP Link extenders for a Mesh Wi-Fi network which is the whole point of getting a new router in the first place.
How hard can it be to create a Mesh Wi-Fi network with TP Link Products with Sky FTTP?!

I'm now at the point of giving up for now unless someone has successfully got a TP Link router working with Sky FTTP and would be willing to share how they achieved this with me.

Perhaps TP Link could confirm if they are intending to support DHCP Option 61/MER for Sky FTTP on thier Wi-Fi routers, and if so, when would this be?

  @rhysjames1000 

I have been watching this forum for like five years or so and have seen people asking for support of DHCP Option 61/MER in TP-Link's regular Wi-Fi routers ever since.

Apart from that, if you are purely interested in getting an EasyMesh network set up and don't need stuff like HomeShield or VPN, then there are router models available that support EasyMesh in "Access Point" mode. https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/697572

In this configuration you would keep the Sky Hub as your Internet router and use the TP-Link router and your other TP-Link devices to provide the Wi-Fi Mesh network. (the Wi-Fi of the Sky Hub could be switched off then)

  @woozle

Thanks, knowing that this has been ongoing for at least five years suggests it is unlikely to come so no point holding out for that.

I am very greatful for your suggestion around getting an EasyMesh network set up using a TP link Router in AP mode whilst retaining the Sky Hub. I think I did look at this over a year ago but the routers didn't support EasyMesh in AP mode and operating as a Router would have given issues with double NAT as the Sky Hub can't operate in Bridge/Modem mode at that time and I never revisited.

Shame I won't be able to use the presumably better routing from the TP Link router but a small price to pay for finally being able to have a Mesh network. Would there be any other features i'll miss out on by running the TP Link router in AP mode?

Finally, would it just be a case of connecting the TP Link router to the Sky Hub with an Ethernet cable and would it be best to connect the powerline (that leads to the other access point) to the TP Link router or the Sky Hub?

  @woozle 

A couple more things if you wouldn't mind.

Regarding the information you sent me about EasyMesh now being available for some TP Link Wi-Fi Routers working in AP Mode as A Controller. Does this include OneMesh or just EasyMesh compatible devices?

The TP Link extender I have is part of the TL-WPA8631P KIT powerline kit and whilst originally only OneMesh compatible, it now shows as being EasyMesh compatible despite it showing as "Planned" under this Compatibility List. Looking at recent firmware updates I can see a new version released very recently on the 7th Feb (25) so it does seem like it is now compatible however the version is "(EU)" rather than "(UK)" which mine is so not sure if that makes a difference or not?

Thanks again,

David

rhysjames1000 wrote

  Would there be any other features i'll miss out on by running the TP Link router in AP mode?

 

  @rhysjames1000 

Here are some screenshots to show what features exist on an Archer AX55 V1 router in AP mode. I think the BE3600 that you have in mind should look very similar.

rhysjames1000 wrote

 Finally, would it just be a case of connecting the TP Link router to the Sky Hub with an Ethernet cable and would it be best to connect the powerline (that leads to the other access point) to the TP Link router or the Sky Hub?

Yes, the TP-Link router would be connected to one of the LAN ports of the Sky Hub with a Ethernet cable. Theoretically the Powerline adapter can be connected to either the Sky Hub or the TP-Link router, but I would still recommend to connect it to the TP-Link router.

rhysjames1000 wrote

 

Regarding the information you sent me about EasyMesh now being available for some TP Link Wi-Fi Routers working in AP Mode as A Controller. Does this include OneMesh or just EasyMesh compatible devices?

 

  @rhysjames1000 

That is actually a very good question. I think a representative of TP-Link needs to answer this.  @Marvin_S

I don't have any pure OneMesh devices anymore, so I can't help you test it.

With TP-Link's products the "hardware version" of the product is a very important detail when it comes to determining what features are supported. According to TP-Link's product webpage for the TL-WPA8631P KIT only versions V3 and V4 have firmware available that support Easymesh.
Anyway, if the Mesh menu in the web management interface of your TL-WPA8631P reads [EasyMesh], then it supports EasyMesh and OneMesh. If it reads [OneMesh], then only OneMesh is supported with the firmware that is currently installed.