Using 3rd Party Router

[Cunning_Linguist]

Hello Everyone,

I need to be able to connect to my employer's network from home using a VPN but I have found that the BT router is preventing me from doing that so I bought a Netgear Nighthawk AC1900.

When I removed the BT router and replaced it with the Nighthawk it did not pick up the broadband signal and also the phone had no dial tone. When I re-attached the BT router it received the broadband signal and the phone had the dial tone again.

Can anyone explain that and is there a way to connect the Netgear Nighthawk?

Thanks in advance.

[Keith_Beddoe]

Welcome to this user forum.

That is only a wireless router, you cannot connect it directly to a phone line, as it will damage the Netgear Nighthawk, and will also loop the line and stop dial tone.

You either need to buy a separate VDSL modem, or return the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 and buy one which is a combined modem router.

I assume you are on superfast broadband (VSDL)?

Then if you must have a Netgear one, then this one is suitable.

NETGEAR D7000-100UKS Nighthawk AC1900 Dual Band 600 + 1300 Mbps Wireless (Wi-Fi) VDSL/ADSL Modem Router for Phone Line Connections

[licquorice]

Is it the R7000 or the D7000, if the former it is just a router and needs a separate modem. If the latter, youneed to enter bthomehub@btbroadband.com as the PPP username and BT as the password.

[Cunning_Linguist]

Hello Keith,

Thank you for the explanation.

I am not fussy about what I use, so it does not have to be a Netgear, just a router that allows my kids to watch Netflix and allows me to connect to my employer's network using a VPN.

I think buying a VDSL modem is the quickest fix so I will get one tomorrow.

[licquorice]

The choice of standalone modem is very limited. A secondhand Openreach HG612 from Ebay, Netgear DM200 (in bridge mode), ZyXEL VMG8324-B10A (in bridge mode) or Draytek  Vigor 130.

You would be better off changing the R7000 for D7000 or different VDSL modem/router

[Keith_Beddoe]

---

@Cunning_Linguist wrote:

Hello Keith,

Thank you for the explanation.

I am not fussy about what I use, so it does not have to be a Netgear, just a router that allows my kids to watch Netflix and allows me to connect to my employer's network using a VPN.

I think buying a VDSL modem is the quickest fix so I will get one tomorrow.

---

If you have the option of returning the Netgear one, and still want a dual band wireless device, then this one would be a suitable option.

 TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Dual Band VDSL/ADSL about £67

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/products/details/cat-15_Archer-VR400.html#specifications

If you only want single band wireless, then this one.

The TP-Link TD-W9970 for about £40 or less.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/products/details/cat-15_TD-W9970.html#specifications

These both plug direct into your phone line, instead of your home hub.

They also have a guest network and parental controls if needed, plus the option to prioritise connections.

[Cunning_Linguist]

Thanks again, I will exchange my router.

[Cunning_Linguist]

Hello Keith, 

So to clarify I have this broadband package from BT: Superfast Fibre 1 Unlimited, but we have an ADSL splitter which goes into the BT Smart Hub modem/router: https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-smart-hub-088138-C6NX.html

The other goes to the telephone.

So even though the package says Fibre, is it ADSL?

I am still unsure which modem/router to replace the BT Smart Hub modem/router with?

Does that make sense?

I look forward to reading your advice.

[licquorice]

You have VDSL rather than ADSL. VDSL is delivered by fibre to the green cabinet and then copper to your house. ADSL is copper all the way from the exchange. The filter is the same regardless of ADSL/VDSL

The router you require needs to be a VDSL modem/router rather than an ADSL modem/router, most modem routers that are VDSL capable are ADSL capable also, the reverse is never true.  The 2 devices that Keith mentioned or the Netgear D7000 are all suitable.

[CJT80]

EDIT: removed....