steve_hutch

Q: How do I set up AEBS as a Router with Sky Hub as modem?

I have Sky Broadband with an SR102-Z Sky Hub Router. I've been having slow speed issues and the visiting engineer tells me that it's caused by wi-fi interference. I have an Airport Extreme Base Station that I stopped using when I got Sky, but would now like to use it as a Router (the Sky Hub is pretty limited) connected to the Sky Hub as the Modem. I'd be grateful for any advice on how to configure the AEBS so that it bridges to Sky Hub. Thanks.

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Jan 20, 2016 1:17 PM

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Q: How do I set up AEBS as a Router with Sky Hub as modem?

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 20, 2016 1:24 PM in response to steve_hutch
    Level 10 (105,148 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 20, 2016 1:24 PM in response to steve_hutch
    I'd be grateful for any advice on how to configure the AEBS so that it bridges to Sky Hub

    If you want to use the AirPort Extreme as a router......that would mean that the Sky hub must be reconfigured to act as a simple bridge mode modem.

     

    Whether or not that is even possible.....and even if it is possible.....whether or not Sky will support that type of setup are questions for Sky. So, you'll need to get clarification from Sky about this before you can proceed with the setup of the AirPort Extreme.

     

    You might want to keep in mind that the hubs from some providers cannot be reconfigured to make the device function as a simple bridge mode modem. If that turns out to the case with Sky......then you will have to set up the AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode and continue to let the Sky router function as the network router, even though the wireless might not be enabled on the Sky hub.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jan 20, 2016 1:25 PM in response to steve_hutch
    Level 9 (54,568 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 20, 2016 1:25 PM in response to steve_hutch

    Which exact version of the AirPort Extreme do you have? The AirPort base stations are fairly limited when it comes to performing as a router and it is usually best to leave a non-Apple router in place, but that's your call.

     

    If you do want to use the AirPort as a router, then you would have to reconfigure the SR102 router as a bridge otherwise you will have a "Double NAT" condition which would affect network throughput performance between the Internet and the local network. The other things to take into consideration are: 1) How will the AirPort be connected to this router (wired or wireless), and 2) Where will the AirPort be located in relation to the Sky router?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jan 20, 2016 1:29 PM in response to steve_hutch
    Level 10 (271,291 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 20, 2016 1:29 PM in response to steve_hutch

    First, you need to disable the router portion of your modem. Connect an Ethernet cable from the modem's Ethernet port to the WAN Ethernet port on the AEBS. Connect an Ethernet cable from your computer's Ethernet port to one of the LAN ports on the AEBS. Turn off everything for at least one minute, then power on in this order:

     

    1. Modem - wait for connection to the server status lite.
    2. AEBS - wait for solid or flashing gold lite.
    3. Computer.

     

    In the Utilities folder open Airport Utility and configure the AEBS appropriately: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points.

  • by steve_hutch,

    steve_hutch steve_hutch Jan 20, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 20, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for your reply. It's possible to disable wireless access on the Sky Hub quite easily, but I'm not sure whether or not that sets it up as a bridge. The AirPort would be connect by wire and next to the Sky Hub.

  • by steve_hutch,

    steve_hutch steve_hutch Jan 20, 2016 1:35 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 20, 2016 1:35 PM in response to Tesserax

    I have an Airport Extreme 802.11n. Thanks for your reply.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jan 20, 2016 1:40 PM in response to steve_hutch
    Level 9 (54,568 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 20, 2016 1:40 PM in response to steve_hutch

    It would be far easier to leave the Sky router as is and reconfigure the Extreme. The question that begs itself is why do you need both? Is your goal to extend the wireless range of the Sky router with the Extreme?

     

    ... to not get you to answer too many questions, I will leave you in Bob's good hands, since he answered you first. If you still need help after that, I will be happy to offer it as required.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 20, 2016 1:52 PM in response to steve_hutch
    Level 10 (105,148 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 20, 2016 1:52 PM in response to steve_hutch
    It's possible to disable wireless access on the Sky Hub quite easily, but I'm not sure whether or not that sets it up as a bridge.

    Disabling the wireless on a modem/router like the Sky Hub simply turns off the wireless function of the device. The Hub will continue to operate as a wired router.

     

    In order to have the Hub function as a modem, there needs to be a special "modem mode only" or "transparent bridge mode" or similar setting on the Hub. Sky may not allow these types of changes to the Hub.

     

    That is why I said above that your very first phone call needs to be to Sky Support to get very clear clarification about......

     

    1) Whether it is possible to reconfigure the Hub as a modem only......( simply turning off the wireless does not make the Hub a modem)

    2) If it is possible, will Sky help you do this

    3) If there any problems, will Sky support this type of setup