BT Smart Hub 2 Replacement?

Hi all,

The BT Smart Hub 2 is limited to what I can do with it, especially with setting the DNS!

Can anyone recommend me a cheap replacement but with decent WiFi coverage? We use FTTP.

Thanks.

Cheap or reliable?

And what FTTP speed do you have - there are some good devices, but may NOT support full GBit FTTP

What other functions do you require?

It's the 150MB FTTP

Main thing is editing the DNS, 2nd main thing is schedule (i.e. block internet access at specific timing) and finally, good WiFi coverage from a single device.

Thanks.

If the Wi-Fi coverage is poor currently then it's unlikely that you will find a single box that can perform any better so you might want to look at options that let you add additional access points.

I assume you mean 150 Mb (bits not Bytes)


Have a look at the Ubiquiti UDR https://uk.store.ui.com/uk/en/pro/category/all-unifi... The equipment is top end consumer and also professional/business. Not necessariky the cheapest, but good quality build, reliable.

It runs the Unifi Netwrok software - the same as the UDM-Pro and UDM-SE so should have the same capabilities.

On a UDM-Pro, you can set DNS for both IPv4 & v6

Create two or more WiFi networks - so you can have one for the kids which a scheduler running.


My experience is with the -Pro & -SE with WAPs so no knowledge of the coverage but in a large house, I have just two UI WAPs and can get 300Mbps (minimum) everywhere and why better in some locations.

With current poor coverage though, you may/maynot see an improvement, but with the UDR, you can run an extra WAP directly from it - chose a UI one, and they are PoE powered, so just a single unobtrusive cable.


I have the TBB BQM running on both IPv4 & v6 which nevewr shows an issue. The UDM runs its own speedtest and with a 500Mb service, I see 495-496 time after time after time.


REGISTER in the forum https://community.ui.com/timeline and ask there for specific experience and confirmation on DNS and scheduling.

Edited by MHC (Tue 16-Jan-24 12:58:24)

Thanks. I've had Ubiquiti kit in the past and yes I agree, it's very good. But totally overkill for her needs at the moment. She (mother) only need a click & go settings, not complex UI to set it up, etc.

Maybe a little over the top, but any decent Hub will be £100 or more.

And you could have remote access to the UDR too,.

Take a look at the ASUS range, I think their products are great for home users who want to do a bit more without it being for professionals

Ohh, yes. I forgot about the ASUS range, I will take a look.

Thanks.

I'm liking RT-AX82U and it seems many BT customers use it with no issue.

I assume you won't need Digital Voice support on the new router then - if you need DV then you have to use the SH2.

In reply to a post by hypertony:

Ohh, yes. I forgot about the ASUS range, I will take a look.

Thanks.

Tp-link are well are good, I have an Archer AX53, can change DNS if you need to, I presume that is what you mean. I am on a 500Mb/s FTTp and it works fine, even on wi-fi.

I'm deaf so have zero needs for it. But yes, valid points, thanks for checking,

The way that many users with Virginmedia are doing this is to use a raspberryPi for PiHole / AdGuard Home, disabling DHCP on the ISP hub and setting it up on the raspberryPi. This then allows DNS mod within either tools.

The main reason this is becoming a thing is because using your own kit causes issues with the digital voice. Hence, this has become a way to retain the digital voice (landline on hub) and DNS modifications alongside.

It’s definitely cheaper than buying a wireless AC2600 spec hub with 7 antennas to replace the existing. Which is a plus.

I would imagine this would also work on BT. Whilst you don’t need the digital voice, doing this may save £100+.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Fri 19-Jan-24 19:50:54)

I got fed up with the options out there so I built my own using OPNsense as the routing software. I already have a Ubiquiti U6-Pro to hand to handle the Wifi side of things, the bonus with this approach is that the Wifi can be positioned anywhere, not just where the router is.

In reply to a post by Cheule:

I got fed up with the options out there so I built my own using OPNsense as the routing software. I already have a Ubiquiti U6-Pro to hand to handle the Wifi side of things, the bonus with this approach is that the Wifi can be positioned anywhere, not just where the router is.

I wish I had gone that way sometimes, but it can be a bit expensive as the computer needed to run is more than what a good router is

A TP-Link Archer would be fine. The C80 at under £70 new should be more than enough.

In reply to a post by Cheule:

I got fed up with the options out there so I built my own using OPNsense as the routing software. I already have a Ubiquiti U6-Pro to hand to handle the Wifi side of things, the bonus with this approach is that the Wifi can be positioned anywhere, not just where the router is.

I have been doing that for the last several plus years, also allows to upgrade Wi-Fi when new versions come out and not even touch the router.

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Paul

I had 2 Eero 6 pro routers when I went with talktalk FTTP and the wifi off them is the best I've experienced with other routers and you can change the DNS

Oh I use Unifi for the Wi-Fi and never had any issues yet, I prefer to separate the Wi-Fi from the router. That way you can upgrade one without messing up the other.

As for DNS I use DNS over HTTPS (DoH) which also works great.

---
Paul

Well in my case I had an old computer with an i5-6400 laying about. Running 1 gig PPPoE only taxes the CPU to about 23% momentarily.

However, if that's not an option, you can get an Intel N100 based tiny PC which is more than enough for the task.

In reply to a post by Cheule:

Well in my case I had an old computer with an i5-6400 laying about. Running 1 gig PPPoE only taxes the CPU to about 23% momentarily.

However, if that's not an option, you can get an Intel N100 based tiny PC which is more than enough for the task.

What you have to look at is energy usage, remember a router has to stay on 24/7. I got myself a Dell thin client to muck around with Home assistant, but I could not get the computer to connect with it, so gave up at the moment.