RT-AX86U and BT Smarthub2 Query

[kev2021]

Hi all,

Getting my BT full fibre in a few days and I have read that to use Digital Voice, I need to use the BT Smarthub 2 otherwise I cannot setup the BT digital voice and BT don’t seem to publish the digital voice settings so I can configure it etc.

So has anyone had any success in using the BT Smart hub 2 as there main router and then running the Asus RT-AX86U off the smarthub 2?  I’m thinking along the lines of:-

Smart hub 2 connects to ONT and gets internet address etc, essentially is my Router.

Set WIFI to something totally different just for use with BT Digital Voice.

Have a cable from LAN port on Smart hub 2 going into WAN port on RT-AX86U.

Have my RT-AX86U handle all wireless etc.

However, will I still be able to use OpenVPN to the RT-AX86U or will smart hub 2 block it?

Do i simply need to set RT-AX86U into AP mode? Will it loose all its settings and I’ll need to re-set it up from scratch?

Essentially I am after achieving everything as it is now with Asus managing all connections BUT have the Smart hub 2 in just so I can use the BT Digital Voice as after all I’m paying the the line rental so might as well be able to use it / receive calls :)

Due to Routers location near BT main socket, I’m thinking of getting the BT Adapter if the above is possible as it will need to be in a different room.

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Congrats – does the below help ? has DSL reference, but should be simular.

https://www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice–how-do-i-set-up-my-service-

With the RT-AX86U, do you still wish to utilise the features like Aiprotection, QoS etc. and how do you feel about double NAT etc, or happy for it just to extend wifi signal only ?

Just make sure when it arrives, the Smart Hub 2 is the one specifically for FTTP with the WAN port.

BTW: shame you cannot just use your RT-AX86U instead of Smart Hub 2 ? alas ASUS does not have a built in Dect station but not sure if you can/swap use ONT > RT-AX86U > Smart Hub 2 for Digital Voice only ?

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[kev2021]

Hi all,

Apologies this should of said RT-AX86S lol parents have the 86U lol.

Basically I was going to use the Smart hub 2 just for the Digital Voice so effectively turn off wireless etc on the smarthub 2, plug a cable from LAN to WAN on ASUS and let ASUS do my wifi just like it does now.

So atm I have Draytek Vigor 130 into RT-AX86S, going forwards I’ll have ONT into Smart hub 2 then lan port from smarthub 2 into WAN port RT-AX86S and RT-AX86S will do all my wifi connections as in everything will connect to Asus and it will go to smart hub -> ONT for internet access.

I’ll check the link thanks!

The RT-AX86S should work by plugging straight from ONT (the RT-AX86U does) but I can’t use the Digital Voice.  The small ONT box doesn’t have a phone port, its literally power, fibre, Cable to WAN port from memory.

 

Thanks

 

Kev

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[kev2021]

hmm i get 404 error  on that link :(

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[UK Sentinel]

I think this is the one I found earlier ?

https://www.bt.com/help/landline/digital-voice–how-do-i-set-up-my-service-?msclkid=f25a0b7fb68f11ecad825f382da478cd

This forum sometimes does strange things with HTTPS links

 

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[Grisu]

digital-voice–how-do-i-set-up-my-service-

You have to use “paste as text” T in folder icon!

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[UK Sentinel]

Grisu wrote:

You have to use “paste as text” T in folder icon!

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[kev2021]

Thanks, I found it by looking on BT site – think there was a – missing in the URL :) It seems mostly re setting smart hub 2, nothing about using a different router connected to it.

Might just forgot about the Digital Voice option… Surely BT has to release the Digital Voice settings so can connect from a ATA for example, not ideal to lock into there hardware only.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Just had a little look online regarding BT’s Digital Voice service and seems that only the SH2 will work as it has its own DECT Station (as does some Fritz!Box) but the Digital Voice traffic is marked IEEE 802.1p in a VLAN which gives it top traffic priority and a dedicated (separate) VLAN ID ?

What I am thinking is if ONT > RT-AX86s > SH2 and use the settings in the ASUS (Advanced Settings > WAN > NAT Passthrough > SIP Passthrough – and ensure this is set to Enable.

And see if the ASUS router does its stuff and allow SH2 to receive and pass back calls (VLAN) etc.

Another option if you ever find the VLAN ID, is to then insert this into  Advanced Settings > LAN > IPTV (like you would with a TV) and see if that works

Note: I am sure wire shark will tell you what VLAN ID is being used etc.

Or if you are feeling brave, just plug ethernet from the ONT into a descent Switch (smart managed switch) and allow switch to manage the  VLAN separation/passthrough/routing etc.   ( in theory) ;)

 

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[kev2021]

Thanks, however i think the ONT -> RT-AX86s -> Smarthub 2 wont work as the smarthub wont get an address so it will just flag as no connected so I’ve read elsewhere online a while ago?

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Would be interesting to try that option, professional curiosity and I am sure others would find this interesting ;-)

What about the smart managed switch option ?

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[kev2021]

HI all,

 

Well got Fibre installed today, couldn’t be there as couldn’t get the day off but its installed.

According to the engineer who visited i wont be getting Digital voice as they are leaving the existing copper line in place.  Also form viewing online, it seems the smart hub has to be the main router which i’d sooner not have so suspect I will ignore it for now and in the future i may just ditch the line altogether providing BT drop there £200+ quid a year line rental for effectively a line I wont have with no telephone :)

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

SO if they have left the copper line in place also, does that mean you can still have your original PSTN telephone service  ?

I had read elsewhere the analogue service closure was delayed due to concerns with medical alert systems still using the analogue service, not being ready to be upgraded ?

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[kev2021]

Yes, i still have original phone service as before as I’m not being moved to digital voice according to the engineer that visited.  BT website said I was getting it BUT when they sent the info of what we being sent, it was only smarthub, not the digital phone I believe they send also so I thought maybe it would come later after the fibre was fitted but seems not.

BT order now says its been completed so not expecting to get anything else.

My biggest issue with the VOIP system I have is that every time power goes out and it comes back on, the VOIP box I have fails to register.  I have to go in and change the SIP and RTP ports and then it automatically registers, no issue at all.

I’ve now tried to use port forwarding but I’m not entirely sure I have set it up correctly but I’ve done it so will tell next time power goes out.

Only issue now is I removed the BT phone, which involves feeding the wire down a small gap as I was thinking wont need that anymore but now I’ll have to put it back at some point lol, that’s even if I bother using it, which tbh it’s seldom used.  BT even looked it up once as they were trying to sell me a “phone package” and I told them I rarely use it and they said let me check as people often say that but are surprised by how much do they actually use it, sure enough not 1 call over that contract period was made from the phone lol

Kev

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[Grisu]

May I asked why in UK you still need copper lines with POTS after migration to FTTH oder xDSL at all?
Can’t you at least port your fixed phone number to a cheaper SIP provider and end copper contract?

Here in Austria you get one number for free with xDSL or FTTH and all POTS (with splitter) are changed to VoIP with any change of contract (higher speed or just contract obligations).
POST isn’t offered any more since 2 years on new lines (and old ones either).
If you need more than one (like you had e.g. with ISDN) the cheapest option is a SIP provider charging 10€/year per number.
3 years ago there has even been some for free, but they stopped services.

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