Piggy backing and old modem with BT Halo

[TOMEDISON]

Help please.

The problem in that I have a BT halo hub [which is pretty well unmoveable] downstairs and through hardware failure in my computer and have to use BT's WiFi extender and connect my computer via an ethernet cable to my desk top. It's sort of OK.I have a phone extension socket close by and I have an old 'Technicolor' modem. I'm wondering whether or not can I put the two together? It would mean that WiFi is provided via Halo but I use another modem to connect my desk top to the net.

If the readership thinks the poser of the question knows nothing – you're right. I don't think it will cause satellites to fall to earth but I can foresee issues of incompatibility/security. The solution might be an additional modem. Does BT supply them please?

Grateful for any advice.

[imjolly · Accepted solution]

You can only connect one modem/router to your phoneline

[licquorice]

A powerline adapter would be a better solution than a wifi extender.

https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-wi-fi-home-hotspot-600-kit-084288-BVFF.html

or https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/powerline/tl-wpa4220-kit/

[TOMEDISON]

Thanks - your speed reply is much appreciated.

[TOMEDISON]

Thanks I'm already using the BT 600 WiFi extender: do you know from experience whether the WPA 4220 kit confers any advantage over the one I'm already using please?

[licquorice]

I previously had BT Hotspot 500 powerline adaptors until they recently died. I have replaced them with the TP Link 4220 but there are no real advantages if your 600 is working OK.

[CloudGamer]

BT hubs do not have a modem only mode to add other routers.   Third party routers do.

Using third party routers and modem that supports other proprietary wifi meshing other than Halo will give an alternative solution.

For example Asus router provide wifi mesh options when configuring router. 

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1036082

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1035163

This is an interesting video demonstrating the Asus AiMesh thing which would allow another switch for more ethernet connections as well as upgrade your wifi to wifi 6 (ax) too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejGdWeXKlVc

When in wifi router mode they also provide VPN Fusion which lets you add different client devices to different VPN routers. 

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1033909

For refrence also see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL2qbWdLZig

which illustrates how VPN Fusion works and confirms connecting multiple routers works.

So using long WAN cables to piggy back routers and connect to computer using ethernet is more than possible with a BT broadband connection.   Just not possible using the Hubs provided by BT.

iirc the BT Home Hub 3 was the last hub provided by BT that had a WAN port - which is what you need to add other routers