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BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 17:27:56 GMT

Will switch over to BT broadband (FTTP available). My current setup is Virgin hub (in Modem mode) and Netgear Orbi Mesh in Router mode off it. I have a copper landline as well.

By switching to BT 500mb, I will lose the copper line but can have a landline off the BTy broadband hub. But as the BT hub cannot run in a modem mode, I will have issue with Orbi router, if connected to it. Is there a way round this please?
I can connect the Orbi to the Openreach ONT directly, but the Orbi does not have any telephone points on it.
Can I connect Orbi to ONT and the BT Hub to one of the Orbi ethernet points? Will the phone then work off the BT Hub?
I think I can buy a modem and use it in place of the BT Hub. Not sure if phones can be connected to these kinds of modems only.
Have Asus RT-AC86U (with 2 USB ports) which is in AP mode – ethernet connection to the Orbi.

Is there another solution to this?

Apologies for a lengthy post!

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

imjolly — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 17:43:28 GMT

This has been covered on the forum so have you actually tried the search facility?

If you want to use digital voice then the SH2 must be directly connected to the ONT not via anything else

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

licquorice — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 18:18:55 GMT

You can do one of 2 things, put the Orbi in access point mode (if it has one) or connect it's WAN port to the BT hub and live with double natting.

The only way to have Digital Voice is to connect the BT hub directly to the ONT and any other devices to the hub.

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 18:51:31 GMT

@licquorice

Thanks. I have AP mode which I will need to explore. Also, not sure if one can disable wifi etc in Sky hub. If I can, I guess double net can be can option

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

imjolly — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 18:57:14 GMT

@wizzard

If you mean the BT hub not sky the yes you can turn off the hub wifi

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 19:09:16 GMT

@imjolly

Yes - meant BT Hub wifi turn off.

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

licquorice — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 19:34:15 GMT

Or just leave it on and have 2 networks

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 18:54:16 GMT

@imjolly

I assume I cannot turn off the DHCP on the BT Hub?

1. If I turn off WiFi on BT Hub and use Orbi in AP Mode, I assume all Ip addresses will be provided by BT HUB (but WiFi will be through Orbi)

2. If I turn off WiFi on the BT Hub and run Orbi in Router mode, will Orbi provide the WiFi and Ip addresses?

3. I need the telephone connection - reason to use the BT Hub.

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 18:58:42 GMT

@licquorice

Have two networks - you mean just switch off wifi on BT Hub and let Orbi run as Router?

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

licquorice — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:00:37 GMT

@wizzard wrote:

@imjolly

I assume I cannot turn off the DHCP on the BT Hub?

You can if you wish.

1. If I turn off WiFi on BT Hub and use Orbi in AP Mode, I assume all Ip addresses will be provided by BT HUB (but WiFi will be through Orbi)

Correct

2. If I turn off WiFi on the BT Hub and run Orbi in Router mode, will Orbi provide the WiFi and Ip addresses?

Both will provide IP addresses to their respective networks. If you connect the hub to the Orbi WAN port in router mode you have 2 networks. If you turn off DHCP and WiFi on the hub and give the Orbi WAN port a static IP address in the hub range with a gateway address of 192.168.1.254, only the Orbi will give IP addresses and nothing will be able to connect directly to the hub. All connections will be via the Orbi except for Digital Voice.

3. I need the telephone connection - reason to use the BT Hub.

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:15:52 GMT

@licquorice

Excellent reply.

1. I guess I can let the Hub provide Ip addresses if the Orbi controls the Wi-Fi. Cannot see any issues here.

2. If I turn off WiFi AND DHCP on the hub, how will it provide the static IP address in the hub range with a gateway address of 192.168.1.254? With DHCP off, does it not mean it cannot provide any addresses?

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

licquorice — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:23:16 GMT

Exactly, that is why you have to give the Orbi a static address and gateway on the Orbi itself.

Routers, do not issue static addresses, static addresses can only be configured directly on a device. Address reservation via DHCP is often erroneously called static addressing.

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:37:12 GMT

@licquorice

Apology for asking newbie question again. I can understand giving a static address from the BT Hub range. Do I have to use the BT Hub sub address as well?

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

licquorice — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:40:44 GMT

Not sure what you mean. The Orbi needs to be given a gateway address of the hub as that is where the internet will be accessed via its public IP address.

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 19:47:33 GMT

@licquorice

Newbie brain moment! I get it now!

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

wizzard — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 07:27:40 GMT

Thanks a lot guys for the help.

Couple of last questions:

1. I have a spare Asus AC86U (Router / AC mode). If it is ethernet connected to the Orbi (Orbi in Router or AC Mode), will the Asus be an Access Point (if it is placed in AP Mode)?

2. If I run Orbi in AP Mode, does the wire connection from BT hub still go to Orbi WAN port or one of the other 3 ports?

Re: BT FTTP and ONT modem problem

licquorice — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 07:36:41 GMT

To answer both of your questions, if you connect 2 devices LAN port to LAN port, the second device will act as an access point. If you connect LAN port of the first device to WAN port of the second, bothe will be routing and natting.

As I don't have any Orbi kit, I don't know if configuring it in AP mode automatically changes the WAN port to another LAN port. However, if you connect the hub to one of the other LAN ports it won't matter either way.