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SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

rossowheels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:39:43 GMT

I currently have a BT Smart Hub 2 mesh network with no less than five discs and find that there are still dead spots due to the property being circa 3,500 square feet over two floors.

In an attempt to improve WiFi coverage, I am planning to install my own router (Netgear Nighthawk) and am looking at how best to integrate it into my network using the Smart Hub 2 as a modem/Access Point only.

Having carried out some preliminary research, it seems to me that I should disable the WiFi gateway on the Smart Hub 2 as there does not appear to be a setting to enable Bridge Mode.

Any comments much appreciated……

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

licquorice — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:47:56 GMT

There is no bridge mode on the SH2.

It is not clear what your intentions are with regard to the discs and whether they are the white Whole Home or black Complete WiFi discs.

Unless you wish to use Digital Voice or the discs are black Complete WiFi, there is no need to use the SH2 at all

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

HHGTTG — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:48:34 GMT

I believe this is only possible on the Business version of the SH2 after doing a quick Google search but I could be wrong.
The experts will soon get back to you, though.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

rossowheels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:59:51 GMT

Thanks for your response.

I intend to remove all of the black discs and use the Smart Hub 2 as a modem/access point only since the new router has sufficient coverage for the entire property (we shall see!).

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

rossowheels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:02:41 GMT

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, this is also my understanding for the domestic Smart Hub 2. However, it is possible to turn off WiFi mode and I was wondering whether this would be sufficient in lieu of bridge mode not being available?

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

licquorice — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:20:01 GMT

I would check coverage by the Netgear unconnected to anything before making any wholesale changes to your setup. If a hub and 5 discs can't provide coverage, i would be extremely surprised if a single third party router will do.

As stated, do you need the SH2 at all, and if you do, why not still use its wifi to give extra coverage.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

rossowheels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:50:25 GMT

It’s the Nighthawk RS700 which claims up to 3500 square feet. https://www.netgear.com/hub/network/nighthawk-rs700-wifi-7-router/

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

licquorice — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:12:55 GMT

Hmm, what they claim and reality are not always the same thing. Note the 'up to 3500 square ft'

Bear in mind Wifi power is regulated in this country and all devices emit the same power, the only area for tweaking is in aerial design.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

WSH — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:27:59 GMT

I would have to agree with Licquorice.

One of the first things you learn in IT is that manufacturer’s claims mean naff all. For a start, they are usually under ideal laboratory test conditions and then there are all sorts of maths at work that the average user doesn’t understand. So long as they can justify the claim in court, they can get away with it. It’s like a car manufacturer saying it will do 140mph. In reality, road conditions mean you are never going to see anything like that except on a test track.

Netgear are a good make but I would take the claim with a pinch of salt.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:33:41 GMT

@licquoricewrote:
I would check coverage by the Netgear unconnected to anything before making any wholesale changes to your setup.

This. Download a WiFi analyser & note the signal level in each room that requires coverage with your existing setup. Then turn off the WiFi on the SH2, power up the Netgear & repeat. That will give you a good idea of whether it's going to be up to the job without the pain of setting it up.

But I also think that unless the SH2 &/or disks are faulty, a single device won't cut it. Generally speaking a lower spec mesh system will give better coverage than than a single device.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

rossowheels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:49:41 GMT

Thanks for your reply and I shall see how it goes and possibly add an extender or two to the new router. It’s a little like my Fiat 500e with a claimed mileage of 199 which differs somewhat from my experience, being 160ish.

That being said, I shall also see whether disabling WiFi on the SH2 will enable it to act as a modem/access point.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

ptrduffy — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:50:07 GMT

It also might be worth some time to try and optimise your disc placement. Paradoxically, too many discs can be as bad as too few for a mesh (as they interfere with each other). I'm in an old flat which is ~2,500 sq ft on one level, and I get good coverage with 2 discs - and the property has thick solid brick walls - so 5 seems like a lot.

If your property has solid walls, then propagation through the floor/ceiling is probably better than through walls, so think of the property as a set of vertical rather than horizontal areas and try to set the discs up to cover those.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

licquorice — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:55:08 GMT

@rossowheels wrote:

That being said, I shall also see whether disabling WiFi on the SH2 will enable it to act as a modem/access point.

No idea what you mean by that, turning off wifi just simply turns off the wifi.

Not wishing to be rude, but I'm not sure your knowledge of networking is up to the task in hand.

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

rossowheels — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:56:56 GMT

What you say is true and BT sent a consultant to review my existing set up and concluded that this was the best they could do. BT even credited me with £100 because their Whole Home Mesh system could not cover the entire property!

Re: SMART HUB 2 CONFIGURATION

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 11:06:52 GMT

@rossowheelswrote:
possibly add an extender or two to the new router.

If you really mean extender then that's usually a poor choice, you want a mesh system. I don't know if the Netgear you're intent on buying has mesh capability, but if not I'd look elsewhere.

What service do you have, FTTP or FTTC?

Also as has been said previously, if you're not or will be using DV, you can ditch the SH2 completely. On FTTP you can just implement a mesh system directly off the ONT. If FTTC, you'll need a mesh enabled router with inbuilt modem or purchase a VDSL modem to feed a mesh system.