BT Smart Hub 2

[druid43]

I have the Smart hub 2 with a dedicated WAN port Plus 3 ports. Fibre to the house so red WAN port used. I need more than 3 usable ports. Ethernet switch is not an option for 2 connectivities as they only work when connected to the Router.  What are my options? Read somewhere here that you can change the red WAN port to make it a standard usable port to give you 4 Ethernet ports but you’d still need to connect the WAN Interface so maybe I misread the response.
I am assuming it’s the power output issue here in which case would a POE + switch do the trick ?

Grateful for advice.

[WSH]

The Smart Hub 2 does not do POE, so it will not be a power supply issue.  If you are on Full Fibre the WAN port has to be a WAN port, nothing else.  There is no way round that.  If you are on Part Fibre/FTTC/VDSL/ADSL then yes, you can switch it to a 4th LAN port.

Shouldn't be a problem with a switch if it's set up properly.  I run two lines out from my router.  One to an 8 port in the living room, one to a 8 port upstairs.  Never have any problems with anything.

[licquorice]

If you change the WAN port to a LAN how are you going to connect the ONT.

Don't understand why you can't use an Ethernet switch. If 4 ports on the hub would be a solution, a co-located switch is an identical solution

[gg30340]

If you have FTTP you need to keep port 4 as a WAN port.

What are the devices that must be connected directly to the router?

If it is something that needs power then a POE Switch would do the job or a POE Injector.  The POE Switch would probably be the better option as regards price if you want additional Ethernet ports rather than just two.

[licquorice]

As the Hub2 doesn't support Poe, connecting directly to the router if Poe is required won't help.

[druid43]

I already run a link from a non-POE switch to my shed where it supports 4 POE cameras via a POE switch.

BT Smart Hub 2 - Netgear GS108 Gigabit Switch - Cisco POE switch

that works 🤔

[druid43]

What switches are you using please. Are they managed or straight through ?

[WSH]

GS108Es but nothing special about the setup.

What devices are causing the problem and if you already have that setup what has changed?

[druid43]

Anyone replaced their Smart Hub with an alternative router; one that supports POE or has more than 3 available Ethernet ports ?

Thank you.

[WSH]

It would help if we knew more about what the problem is?

Have you just switched to using the Smart Hub 2 (SH2) and if so why?