BT Smart Hub & Third party router/modem

"Santa" brought me an new TP Link Archer D2 to use as replacement for current BT Smart Hub mainly as media server via its USB port. Sadly this modem /router is ADSL2 and not VDSL for my BT Infinity connection.
The Amazon description indicated that the new router would work with BT VDSL if I could switch the Home Hub to modem only mode but unfortunately this seems impossible in the Smart Hub.
Thinking a quick fix would be simply to replace the BT Smart Hub with an old style Openreach VDSL modem and then connect this to the new TP-Link D2 but again this is proving difficult.
When I connect the Openreach BT modem it does synchronize with the broadband connection ( steady indicator light) but when I connect my PC(Win 10) via the single Lan port on the Openreach modem ( NGA ECI-CPE-Modems Type 1B) I cannot access the internet.
Suspect that I need to access the Openreach modem to check settings but am unable to find IP address to type into my browser to see settings etc.
Can anyone please help me untangle this problem? Preferably without buying yet more kit.

You would need to create a PPPoE connection on the PC in order to setup the connection through the modem - the PC will not do this automatically. Try having a look at this

The TP Link should support a PPPoE connection over its WAN connection.

Unlocking the ECI modems was a cause of a small hardware mod, so most never bothered, but this is not needed to use the modem in the bridge mode.

The modem is not designed to go straight into a PC, it typically goes via another router e.g. a Sky Hub, a TalKTalk Router, a BT Hub etc. You can set it up via PPOE, but anyway, link in your TP Link via the WAN port and set up the connection. Should be good to go relatively quickly.

The only comment I have to make is the TP Link Archer D2 is AC750 (750Mbps), the BT SmartHub is AC2600 (2600Mbps) - so the SmartHub has not even just marginal better WiFi, but crazy better WiFi. You are replacing it with a worse device for WiFi.

As far as TP Links go, this has similar WiFi spec to the SmartHub (AC2600):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Connections-UK-Arc...

The point is, the SmartHub is a pretty good router, and if you are going to replace it I would always recommend not choosing a worse spec device, plenty of great devices out there which are more reliable and solid etc, but they are £150+. I personally feel what you are doing is somewhat counter productive. Yes, you gain the media server, but you severely downgrade the WiFi spec.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Sat 30-Dec-17 10:15:55)

In reply to a post by bobrey:

if I could switch the Home Hub to modem only mode but unfortunately this seems impossible in the Smart Hub.
Thinking a quick fix would be simply to replace the BT Smart Hub with an old style Openreach VDSL modem and then connect this to the new TP-Link D2 but again this is proving difficult.
.
.
Can anyone please help me untangle this problem? Preferably without buying yet more kit.

I have used (and daily use) the OpenReach modem to sync with VDSL lines as the "Modem" and then connected a DSL router with WAN/PPPoE login ability and that works. i.e. you have rebuilt the Modem-router config of the combined BT Smart Hub.
Other comments support the the new TP-Link can do PPPoE etc.
And the webpage here talks of With one Gigabit LAN/WAN port ...

You should also be able to put the Smart Hub into Modem Mode also.
That would be far simpler... and then it behaves just like the OpenReach Modem.
The Business Smart Hub's have that option, can't recall if the Home Hubs do (you suggest not). - but there is always ebay or the OR modem.

Thanks . I have bought an OR modem for few £ on eBay and the Archer D2 is connected up and all working fine apart from media sharing. I can see something connected to the USB port on the new router but it is very limited in what I can access. I suspect that it will work if I use a mains powered external drive rather than a portable unpowered drive.

Good to hear..

Can't say I have done much in the area of media sharing from routers - might need to be seen as part of the same windows group to be a (dynamic) share link or an explicit (hard) drive mount (not so good).