Replace BT Smart Hub 2 with netgear R7000 router

[Kimberlin]

@Jake12  I appreciate you have clearly set your sights on using the Netgear R7000, but I would like to correct your earlier statement about it being the most advanced router that has Expressvpn built in. There is another router called the Aircove Go specifically designed for Expressvpn built in to the router. It’s available on Amazon.

I used to have exactly the same router as you when I was on FTTC back in 2018. I had to have a separate Vigor modem as we were still on copper back then at our old house. My Honest opinion of the R7000, is that is was garbage and again in my opinion, using that router as an end of life unsupported product, is a retrograde step.

It is your choice however and you’re the one who has to live with it.

[Jake12]

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I have a Huawei 1-port modem (FTTP)  with 1 ethernet cable coming out of port1. The Netgear Router does not recognize the internet connection from Port1, so how will those credentials help?

[licquorice]

Oh for goodness sake, those credentials are needed to connect to the internet. You need to configure the Netgear WAN as a PPPoE connection with those credentials.

I'm getting increasingly annoyed that you seem to be questioning my solutions when you clearly have no network knowledge yourself.

[Jake12]

I'll do what you said tomorrow after work.  Not questioning: others in Facebook netgear groups say you have to keep the BT smart hub with the Netgea behind the Smart Hub. I have no network knowledge. 

[licquorice]

I have, listen to what I'm saying. 

They are talking about a copper connection or requiring Digital Voice.

[Jake12]

I have 2 Essential Digital Home Phones connected via WPS to the Smart Hub. Netgear has WPS. So can I switch these Home Phones over to Netgear too?

[Jake12]

I got a 2nd hand Netgear R7000 for £30 the aircove go is about £200. Cost is the only reason

[licquorice]

Now you say.

No, you can't connect DV phones to anything but the BT hub2.

If you want to keep your landline you will need to use the BT hub connected to the ONT and then connect the Netgear WAN port to a hub LAN port.

This will entail an entirely different configuration of the Netgear. 

You will need to configure the Netgear to use a different IP subnet to the BT, e.g 192.168.2.xxx

Give the Netgear WAN port an IP address of 192.168.1.10, subnet mask 255.255.255.0 and Gateway 192.168.1.254

[Jake12]

Can you copy and paste all the details of what I need to put into the Netgear router? Ppoe mode. VLAN 101?

[Jake12]

With that setup can I disable WiFi on my Smarthub and enable WiFi with DCHP on my Netgear? Will the Landline voices work without WiFi but with WPS? I bought the netgear to extend the WiFi range  and to install ExpressVPN