Use ethernet port on wifi discs for broadband

[jpnsol]

Hi folks,

I have a sky box that does not have wifi and a wifi disc (the black ones from my BT Whole Plus account)

Im wondering if I can use an ethernet cable to plug into the wifi disc. I know that the ethernet port on the back of the disc is used when setting up the disc with the router. But once set up can the port be used as a broadband connection to the network?

Thanks,

John

[Keith_Beddoe]

Welcome to this user forum.

I would expect this to be the case, but the best way  its to try it, and report back on this thread, as it may help others.

It certainly the case with the Whole Home white disks.

[jpnsol]

Hi there,

I did try it with a a laptop...

I switched the wifi off on the laptop and then connected it to the disc using a ethernet cable. Nothing happenned. Would it need special configuration? Maybe it is just the white ones that can do it?

John

[Keith_Beddoe]

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@jpnsol wrote:

Hi there,

I did try it with a a laptop...

I switched the wifi off on the laptop and then connected it to the disc using a ethernet cable. Nothing happenned. Would it need special configuration? Maybe it is just the white ones that can do it?

John

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I am not sure, to be honest. If the disc is linked to the Smart Hub 2 by wireless, then I would have thought the Ethernet port would be active.

I think you may have to wait for a reply from one of the BT Device experts, like @LukeBuxton

[VeteranISPUser]

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@jpnsolwrote:

Hi folks,

I have a sky box that does not have wifi and a wifi disc (the black ones from my BT Whole Plus account)

Im wondering if I can use an ethernet cable to plug into the wifi disc. I know that the ethernet port on the back of the disc is used when setting up the disc with the router. But once set up can the port be used as a broadband connection to the network?

Thanks,

John

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Hi @jpnsol

If you mean BT Complete WiFi then I can confirm the Ethernet port on a connected Disc works perfectly. I have an Ethernet cable connected to my Disc with an 8 port Ethernet switch connected to it. I use that to connect to my entire entertainment system, TV, Sky etc.

https://www.bt.com/broadband/complete-wifi/

[jpnsol]

I just called BT and they said the ethernet port cannot be used to provide a connection, only for setting up the disc
with the router. (at least for the black discs )

John

[jpnsol]

Tried to connect the disc with my sky box and it seems to work. However, the disc has stopped broadcasting the WiFi. Perhaps, it can't do both at the same time??

John

[VeteranISPUser]

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@jpnsolwrote:
Tried to connect the disc with my sky box and it seems to work. However, the disc has stopped broadcasting the WiFi. Perhaps, it can't do both at the same time??

John

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Hi @jpnsol 

Are you sure that you have BT Complete WiFi? https://www.bt.com/broadband/complete-wifi/

I am currently using my laptop (WiFi disabled) connected to the Disc using the Ethernet port on the back of the Disc. All my WiFi Living-Room connected devices, Amazon Echo, Hive Hub 360, HarmonyHub are all connected to the same Disc using WiFi and are working fine.

You can see two GLML00010s, one is for WiFi (not in use) and the current one I am using live on Ethernet.

[LukeBuxton · Accepted solution]

Hi @Keith_Beddoe - thanks for looping me in.

Hi @VeteranISPUser - thanks for your advice.  You're right - the ethernet on the back of the disc can be used to connect other devices.

Hi @jpnsol - it can be used to connect your Sky box

One of the reasons for the confusion... and this will sound a bit odd!... is that we're not yet officially supporting BT TV connected by ethernet to the Wi-Fi Discs....  We're making sure that the quality of experience is great every time and hardwired connections is still the recommended and fully supported way to connect.

Cheers

Luke

[ConnorL]

Hey VeteranISPUser,

Wondering what sort of speeds you get via the ethernet port  on the WiFi disc?

Weighing up my options in terms of powerline, WiFi disc and getting someone out to install a new ethernet port in the room I require it in.

I have FTTP and on my mobile I get WiFi speeds of ~300 DL and ~50 upload - want to see if the WiFi disc would offer the same sort of performance to the devices plugged into it. If so I can skip power lines that only give ~70 DL and not need to drill holes in any walls to get the new ethernet port in.

Thanks for any help!! and sorry for dragging up an old discussion 🙂