This topic

Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

RogerD1 — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 19:09:15 GMT

I have my main router in the house with a Cat 6 cable feeding another building every thing works fine on the computers in the second building But I would like to set up a 2nd Smart Hub 2 as an Access point for WIFI in that building but there seems to be a lot of confusing information when I have searched the forum.

So would somebody be able to explain to a beginner what I need to do

I have worked out that I need to plug the router I want to change the details on into my laptop and I have gained access in to the hub manager

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 19:13:51 GMT

This is for the Smart Hub but should give you the gist:

https://community.bt.com/t5/Archive-Staging/BTHub6-Smart-Hub-As-WiFi-Extender-or-AP-Access-Point-amp-HH5/td-p/1675678

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

licquorice — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 19:38:39 GMT

It's extremely straightforward, just give the second hub an IP address outside of the DHCP range of the main hub, turn off DHCP on the second hub and connect the 2 LAN port to LAN port.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

RogerD1 — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 14:12:28 GMT

Thank You rbz5416

For a detailed explanation in how to do it was very helpful a straight forward step by step set of instructions ideal for a beginner. All up and working seems fine can still use the hard wired computers in this building speed the same as before. Have managed to connect my phone to the WIFI and all seems ok.

One suggestion that you could add into the instruction's would be that you either need to print the instruction out or use a different computer to set the access hub up, because when connecting the hub to the computer that was on the internet via the main hub you could not edit the access router at the same time .

One more question is it possible to switch off the flashing light on the router ??

I rate this as 5 star

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 14:24:39 GMT

Not my thread, I just linked to it. Credit goes to @Jayebmx but you're free to add your points to the thread.

I don't know the SH2 but looks like the a panel for light control on the home page. Otherwise it's a tape job.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

BillNick — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:13:59 GMT

So you can still the use the ethernet ports in the 2nd router as well as wifi now yes?

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

licquorice — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:17:06 GMT

Of course.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

BillNick — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:20:53 GMT

Will any wireless router (with AP mode) work taking broadband from the main BT hub? BT hubs are much more expensive than say a decent TP Link router... I too have a garden room and will be running a cat6 up to it from the BT Hub in the house. I will be connecting a 2nd Hive Home Hub (which is ethernet only) probably a laptop on ethernet too and then 2-3 more devices via WIFI in my Garden Room.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

licquorice — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:29:46 GMT

If you want an access point, buy an access point with Ethernet ports rather than a router. The only reason to use a router is if you have a spare one lying around to re-purpose.

Any manufacturer access point or router can be used.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

licquorice — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:43:45 GMT

It might be cheaper to buy a single Ethernet port WAP and a separate Ethernet switch rather than a multi Ethernet port WAP.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

BillNick — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:20:05 GMT

I was looking into this option too.

Get a PoE switch and mount a WAP to the ceiling.

Assume I can just run a Cat6 from the BT hub indoors up to the PoE switch in the garden room and it all takes care of itself?

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

licquorice — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:23:07 GMT

The hub doesn't do PoE unfortunately, you will need to power it independently.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

BillNick — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:25:19 GMT

Oh yeh course, the switch will be powered inside the garden room but all it needs for the broadband is the Ethernet from the main hub right?

thanks for all your quick responses btw

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

licquorice — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:33:05 GMT

Correct

Cable the hub to one port on the switch, another port on the switch to the wap and the other ports to your devices.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

JoHaveron — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:19:14 GMT

This link throws up an access level error?
Is there an open access link?

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

BorderReiver — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:37:07 GMT

Like another poster later in the thread, I get 'Access Denied' when I try to follow the link. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:40:02 GMT

The thread has been archived so no longer available, no idea why.

But I’m sure Google will take to one of the many other threads on the web that deal with this.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

Crimliar — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:01:03 GMT

I'll go into more detail possibly in another thread if it's needed, but... I've set my SH2 up to work as closely to being an AP as possible - just so when needed I can turn it on and check the menus. It doesn't seem to be completely "well behaved" though. It certainly seems to perform a subnet IP scan, and if left on for long enough (24hrs+ before this starts) even though its DHCP server is off will start arguing with the router about wanting to work as a gateway causing clients to be unable to access the internet! The SH2 is set up correctly and the odd behaviour only seems to start if it's left on for 24hrs+!

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

WSH — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:41:20 GMT

@Crimliar

Interesting. I’m using a spare SH2 as a WAP at present and I’ve used an HH5b in the past. Never had a problem with either but then again, I don’t leave them on continuously. (I’m a wired network man myself). I will say the DHCP in the SH2 is one of the flakier ones I’ve encountered and God knows, DHCP is often somewhat peculiar to the vendor.

Just an idea. Plug it into a 24/7 timer and have it switch off for a minute once every 24 hours. That should solve the problem.

Re: Setting up a Smart Hub 2 as an Access Point

Crimliar — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:50:55 GMT

Personally, it's only there so that I can check what's in the menus and play with settings in response to issues raised on these boards. For day-to-day use, my Asus GT-AX6000 router, single RP-AX58 AiMesh node, and the TL-SH1008 2.5Gbps switch are more than capable of meeting my needs. I considered peeking at what was happening using WireShark, but it all seemed like a little too much trouble!