Upgrading BT smart hub with new router?

[tele_lover]

I've currently got BT broadband with a combined router and modem. I think it's a "smart hub". It's about 9 inches x 5 inches, circle on front with "BT", black.

I'd like to start sharing large files across my local network between my own computers. However, I have a feeling my local network/wifi speed isn't as fast as it could be due to the Smarthub.

I'm not sure I can remove this Smarthub because I think the firmware has to register with BT.

So do I purchase another router and then connect this via Ethernet to the smart hub?

And can anyone recommend such a router? House is quite large, so might need some repeaters.

Edited by tele_lover on Saturday 30th December 20:40

[Glade]

We replaced our BT smart hub with a TP link router.

We had to set up PPPoE on the router by putting in the BT broadband default username and password, and it worked.

Iirc the specs on the BT hub weren't really that bad. I think our WiFi has improved but can't be sure it's not a placebo, so compare the specs of your hub with the replacement before you go ahead.

[xeny]

tele_lover said:

However, I have a feeling my local network/wifi speed isn't as fast as it could be due to the Smarthub.

It's not hard to to roughly measure this, and probably worth doing before spending money/fiddling. The WiFi in the SmartHub is actually pretty good - 802.11ac with 4x4 MIMO, although obviously it is a single unit, not a mesh of access points.

What speeds are you getting? Keep in mind that copying to another device with both on WiFI is very much worst case, as you're using the Wifi connection twice - one to the hub, and once from the hub. If you have a dedicated "server" machine, if it is remotely convenient, arrange a wired connection for it.

[-Pete-]

WiFi is much slower than a wired connection, buy two cheap Ethernet cables and plug the computers into spare sockets on the back of the BT hub for occasionally copying large amounts of data. It’ll be 5-10 times faster.

Or to halve the WiFi speed problem, buy a NAS and store your files on there. I use Synology Drive, which syncs them automatically. But it requires a bit of tech know-how to setup.

Edited by -Pete- on Saturday 30th December 21:10

Edited by -Pete- on Saturday 30th December 23:49

[silentbrown]

-Pete- said:

Buy two cheap Ethernet cables and plug the two computers into spare sockets on the back of the BT hub for copying large amounts of data. It’ll be 5-10 times faster.

This. Don't replace the router. If all ethernet ports on the router are in use, add a network switch.

Here's how to ID the model: https://www.bt.com/help/broadband/learn-about-broa...

(BTW, the name "-Pete-" seems to break PH quote function...)

[PF62]

tele_lover said:

I've currently got BT broadband with a combined router and modem. I think it's a "smart hub". It's about 9 inches x 5 inches, circle on front with "BT", black.

If it isn't the latest version which is a Smart Hub 2 - www.bt.com/help/broadband/learn-about-broadband/di... then moan to BT and get you to send you one.

tele_lover said:

I'd like to start sharing large files across my local network between my own computers. However, I have a feeling my local network/wifi speed isn't as fast as it could be due to the Smarthub.

Frankly ethernet cables are the way to go for large files between computers.

tele_lover said:

House is quite large, so might need some repeaters.

With the Smart Hub 2 it supports the Complete WiFi discs - www.bt.com/broadband/complete-wifi and although these are normally supplied as part of an increased broadband cost, you can pick them up from eBay or Facebook Marketplace for £30 to £50 each - although be careful as there are various different sorts of WiFi discs BT offered over the years and sellers get confused about what they have.

These discs work nicely to expand the WiFi network and will either work as a mesh system using WiFi as the backhaul or for increased speed you can connect them with an ethernet cable back to the Smart Hub 2 for the backhaul. And being part of the BT 'system' you can control the discs and the connected devices through both the app and from logging into the router.