Please can some explain this router set up?

[fizz47]

Please be patient as i literally have no clue what to do…

Im based in Switzerland and when I moved here a few years ago I had my internet provider give me their standard router which now keeps cutting out and have to reset it quite frequently and also has poor signal.

I really want to replace it with a half decent router..

I just went to their support page and it says that you can use your own router but gives this guidance:

(Translated from french)
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If you have a fibre optic connection, your router must be compatible with the fibre optic technology of your home, either Gigabit Ethernet or XGS-PON. You can easily recognise by looking at the colour of the fibre module: blue for Gigabit Ethernet (BX), red for XGS-PON.

For Gigabit Ethernet (BX), you can use any 1000Base-BX compatible module, e.g. TL-SM321B by connecting it to your router or using a converter (e.g. the TP-Link MC220L)

For XGS-PON, you must use a router certified by Swisscom. Currently, only one router is available and approved for XGS-PON: Zyxel Axe7501-B0. To activate your connection with this router, you must enter a 10-digit code (NSN). To get it, you must contact us.

Once connected to the fibre, you must configure your router to use the VLAN10 (802.1q encapsulation). No password is required. An IP address will be assigned to you by DHCP.
—————————————


Ive had a look at the router and believe it is Gigabit Ethernet BX..

Do i have to get a converter (what does it do?) and what router would work or would you guys recommend?

Edited by fizz47 on Monday 3rd July 22:12

[megaphone]

Post up some pics of what you have now. You have a proper fibre connection to the property correct? FTTP.

[mrmistoffelees]

If it's BX, then what it's essentially saying is:

You need a router that can take a module, called an SFP. I primarily deal with Cisco stuff, so for this I'd get something like a Cisco C1111. This is the router bit. Next, I'll get the relevant module which plugs into the router. Something like the one they've suggested. Plug that in, then I've got something that'll take the fibre and turn it into something that'll do either wifi or wired for your house.

That's basically it.

You need to elements: A router that can take an SFP module, and the SFP module itself.

[FlossyThePig]

I think you need to find out what routers are available in Switzerland as they may already have the module installed or built in like your current router.

[Baldchap]

Does fibre need a modem?

[fizz47]

Thanks for the responses so far

Here is the wall socket



This is the router




This is the cable that is going from the wall socket to the router

[RizzoTheRat]

What's cutting out, do you mean wifi or ethernet connections, and where's that yellow ethernet cable going?

Generally ISP provided hardware does the job of a modem, router and wifi access point all in one. If devices connected by cable are seeing a decent connection you could consider putting in your own wifi access points instead of using the wifi on the ISP provided router.

[fizz47]

The WiFi signal keeps cutting or I start getting slow speeds and I have to reset the router ..


The yellow cable is plugging into a Philippa hue bridge.


The current internet box is about 3 years old

[eeLee]

so you have a VDSL router from Swisscom running over copper. Lovely boxes....

Basically, the yellow connections are your LAN, you should do what I do and simply connect a modern decent wifi router to one of those ports and hang off that. I assume the wired connection will be stable.

you don't have fiber but you know that, I assume the box thing plugged into the fiber socket is a converter. Lovely of Swisscom to give you that.

The box might do bridge mode but don't worry about that, just plug your own router into it.

[RizzoTheRat]

If you have a computer with an ethernet connection try connecting it via ethernet cable to one of the yellow ports and seeing if it is still getting a decent connection even when the wifi is playing up. If so it's a wifi issue not a modem/router issue

[fizz47]

eeLee said:

so you have a VDSL router from Swisscom running over copper. Lovely boxes....

Basically, the yellow connections are your LAN, you should do what I do and simply connect a modern decent wifi router to one of those ports and hang off that. I assume the wired connection will be stable.

you don't have fiber but you know that, I assume the box thing plugged into the fiber socket is a converter. Lovely of Swisscom to give you that.

The box might do bridge mode but don't worry about that, just plug your own router into it.

Ok - will just do that - any router particularly recommended?

I’m in the Uk this week so might pick up a router from there ( already have a Uk extension lead next to it so uk plug not an issue )

[fizz47]

Would this be ok?

Deal: TP-Link Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Mbps Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router, OneMesh™ Supported, Dual-Core CPU, TP-Link HomeShield, Ideal for Gaming Xbox/PS4/Steam, Compatible with Alexa (Archer AX53)

https://amzn.eu/d/5TM6MxN

[Greenmantle]

Sorry I cant see the antennae for the WIFI on that Swisscom box. Did some googling but couldnt figure out if its just a purely WIRED router. As said before ethernet cable into laptop and yellow 4 port switch to see if you get anything. Ping 8.8.8.8 or bring up google.

[eeLee]

It looks like this one at Digitec: https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/asus-tuf-ax30...

Yes, I have a tp-link plugged into my Swisscom fiber box. The Wifi performance of these boxes is crap.

Simply put, connect WAN on your router to LAN on Swisscom modem. With your chosen router, the limitation will be what throughput can run over the copper lines. Yes, you will have double-NAT, in reality you are extremely unlikely to notice this.

[fizz47]

The Swisscom box is a WiFi router as well. There is no antenna on the Swisscom box though

[eeLee]

that Swisscom box is a turd. You could tell Swisscom you're going to leave because of the box performance and they will eventually send a new one but I would own the problem myself and take their box out of the equation.

[wyson]

fizz47 said:

Would this be ok?

Deal: TP-Link Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Mbps Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router, OneMesh™ Supported, Dual-Core CPU, TP-Link HomeShield, Ideal for Gaming Xbox/PS4/Steam, Compatible with Alexa (Archer AX53)

https://amzn.eu/d/5TM6MxN

Depends on the size and build of your house, how many devices you have connected, what devices you have connected, how fast your connection is.

I also read somewhere that different countries have different regs around wireless standards, so you might be safest buying something in Switzerland?

[sparkyhx]

............or keep the swisscom and turn off the wifi (and build buy wifi mesh - great speeds, mega signal in all locations - look up Wifi mesh and see whats available for your location. They are pretty much plug and play other than switching wifi off on the swisscom - its not absolutely necessary, but it can cause problems if you have both the wifi from router and wifi from the mesh.
.

[fizz47]

Thanks everyone for your replies …

I kept the original modem / router but disconnected the WiFi and plugged in a new ASUS router which worked straight away..

[Pistonsquirter]

eeLee said:

so you have a VDSL router from Swisscom running over copper. Lovely boxes....

Basically, the yellow connections are your LAN, you should do what I do and simply connect a modern decent wifi router to one of those ports and hang off that. I assume the wired connection will be stable.

you don't have fiber but you know that, I assume the box thing plugged into the fiber socket is a converter. Lovely of Swisscom to give you that.

The box might do bridge mode but don't worry about that, just plug your own router into it.

log into the existing router and disable wifi, just use it as a model=m, then use external separate wifi (router will be quicker with redundant wifi disabled (so my IT friend just told me)