This topic

Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

steviebobs1 — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:37:42 GMT

Hi again all. As the title suggests, I have a spare HH6 from a previous contract. My current contract is Fibre 500 with the SH 2. I have been installing ip cctv cameras (4 so far) and want to install another 2. The current 4 work well on the SH2, and are accessible via an app on my phone (connected to the same router of course). The next 2 are going to 'stretch' the limits of my SH2 wifi. Can I extend the current SH2 wireless network with the spare HH6? The property is a square bungalow approx 33' long. My SH2 is right at the front and the last 2 cameras I installed are just outside the back. I am hoping to install the spare HH6 (wirelessly) in the last room so that I can extend the coverage further outside?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Regards

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

licquorice — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:56:33 GMT

You can't connect a second hub via WiFi, you will need to run an Ethernet cable between the hubs.

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

steviebobs1 — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 17:10:28 GMT

Thanks for that prompt reply. Well, that settles that one then !! I was aware of the possibility of an ethernet link but was hoping not to have to do it ! I have a laptop in the back room wirelessly connected to the SH2 so maybe there is a possibility of using it as a hotspot. Not sure if the hotspot would be 'on the same network'. I doubt it as I am sure the hotspot cannot allocate addresses from the SH2 pool !!

Regards

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

chrisjp — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 17:59:00 GMT

You could get a mesh system with one of the units connected to the SH2 with an ethernet cable, and 2 or 3 other units remotely connected to the first unit by WiFi. You then can turn off the SH2's WiFi.
Units 2 &3 will have spare ethernet sockets which you can use instead of, or in addition to, WiFi to connect stuff.

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

steviebobs1 — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:42:33 GMT

Thanks for the helpful comments, I was hoping to use ‘spare’ kit to sort the issue. I like the Mesh idea but cost not warranted for just a couple of ip cameras (I am actually just testing the principle of ip cameras versus existing hard wired). I can run a temp ethernet cable between the SH2 and the HH6 to test the theory and then decide if I want to run a perm cable. To be truthful, it is not about home security but ‘animal watch’ !!

Thanks all for your attention.

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

steviebobs1 — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 15:49:26 GMT

Just got round to giving the SH2 to HH6 a try with an ethernet cable and realise I don't have a WAN port on the HH6! If I am thinking correctly, I believe I connect an ethernet cable between one of the 1 gig Ethernet ports on the SB2 to the WAN port on the HH6?

Am I missing something?

Thanks again

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

licquorice — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 15:55:23 GMT

@steviebobs1 wrote:

Am I missing something?

Thanks again

S

Yes, you connect LAN port to LAN port if you just want the second device as an access point.

Give it an IP address of 192.168.1.15 and disable DHCP on it.

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

steviebobs1 — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:08:09 GMT

Sorry to appear as a total dummy here, but I am struggling to find where, in the HH6 settings I can change the HH6's ip address and turn off DHCP? And do I connect the ethernet cable before I try to change the ip address etc? At the moment I have the HH6 powered up, with only my ipad connected to it, no ethernet cable connection, but still cannot find where in the settings I can change the status of DHCP and change the ip address.

Thanks S

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

licquorice — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:14:37 GMT

I don't know where it is in the Hub6 (I only have the Smart Hub2) but I suspect it will be in advanced settings. Make all the changes and then connect it to the other hub.

Re: Using a spare Home Hub 6 to extend Smart Hub 2 wifi.

licquorice — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:32:16 GMT

Don't forget that once you have changed its address you will cut yourself off from the hub6 until you connect at the new address.