use BT router or use my current Nighthawk XR500 ?

[nathynerd]

Hi

New customer here - when my kit arrives, should I stick with the BT hub they are using now, or use my old XR500 ? 

I'm wondering how good the routers are now - I use a bit of static IP, split bands and a restricted guest network on this one (ie it can't see my network but it's not a showstopper)

Thanks In Advance ! 

[licquorice]

Depends what service you have. The XR500 is just a router so if you are getting FTTC then you will also need a separate modem. If you are getting FTTP (full fibre) then you can use the XR500 directly connected to the ONT (optical modem)

A few pros and cons. The BT smart hub2 does not have guest network capability and you can't split the Wifi SSIDs. If you are getting Digital Voice you can only use the SH2.

Static IPs has nothing to do with the router, they are set on the device. The DHCP range of the SH2 is 192.168.1.63 - 192.168.1.253 It supports address reservation in the DHCP range if you wish to use that rather than setting static addresses on the devices.

[nathynerd]

Thanks for the advice - it's FTTP. 

Sorry I didn't make it very clear, I set IP in the router using MAC (sometimes !) I've got a NAS that goes mad with static config

Think I'll stick with the XR500 then - unless there something that their routers do really well of course, just to tip it in their favour ?!

[jac_95]

@nathynerd will you be using digital voice?

If so you will need to use the smart hub 2 as the primary router.

[nathynerd]

Oh yeah I forgot that bit - I've got no idea what that is haha - I'll get googling ! 

Cheers

[licquorice]

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@nathynerd wrote:

Sorry I didn't make it very clear, I set IP in the router using MAC (sometimes !)

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Being pedantic, that isn't a static IP, it's address reservation.

[jac_95]

@nathynerd BT Digital Voice is the name of the new home phone service. Basically a VoIP (Internet) based voice service.

[licquorice]

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@nathynerd wrote:

Oh yeah I forgot that bit - I've got no idea what that is haha - I'll get googling ! 

Cheers

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Its the voice service if you require phone service as well as broadband.

[nathynerd]

Yes.....feel better ? 

[licquorice]

The distinction is important.