[Betatester548]

Oddly, only the latest Eero 6 supports PPPoE connections

Talktalk is using it as their FTTP router it seems.

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[Betatester548]

That’s interesting, I didn’t realise that’s how it’s supposed to work. My ISP is Cuckoo Broadband, who use Talktalk’s business backbone network.

So, with another ISP, it would probably be able to get different PPPoE details?

Either way, bridge mode works on Cuckoo’s modem router and the TP-Link VR200.

I’m tempted to swap the AX56U for an Eero 6, which is costs about £100, and is powerful enough to handle 1gbps FTTP.

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[Betatester548]

Yup, no luck with PPPoE relay enabled on the DSL-N16.

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[Betatester548]

I’m considering buying one of these instead:

Amazon Eero 6

amazon.co.uk/amazon-eero-6/product-reviews/B086PL9KPT/ref=cm_cr_othr_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

Apparently they have added support for both PPPOE connections and SQM on the latest model.

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[Betatester548]

So, no luck with the new RT-AX56U, we are going to return it to the shop in the morning.

Looking at other Asus routers, unfortunately there appears to be a history of PPPOE connection issues on their more recent routers, possibly due to a poor implementation of this protocol, as discussed here:

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/why-asus-cant-get-the-basics-right-like-pppoe.55795/

Anyway, I’ve been looking at a mini NanoPi based router here that uses OpenWRT firmware:

Hardware Option 1: The NanoPi R4S

setup guide found here:

https://wiki.stoplagging.com/books/technical-guides/page/sqm-for-1-gbps-lines-with-openwrt

I thought it looks like a pretty cool device for the money (should be able to handle SQM 1gbps connections). My only reservations would be:

a) VDSL modem compatibility / PPPOE issues

b) Reliability of the WAN connection

It occurs to me that one way to avoid PPPOE issues, would be to switch to an ISP that uses DHCP (Automatic IP), like Talktalk (residential) do. But I think all other FTTC ISPs in the UK require PPPOE connections :(

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[Betatester548]

Seems to happen on both WIFI and ethernet. With QOS enabled or disabled.

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[Betatester548]

This is so weird, I’m getting the same problem on a new RT-AX56U (v1). Download speeds dropping to 0 and occasional disconnections.

Tried the earliest and latest firmware with the same results.

Speed tests run directly from the device itself (integrated into the firmware / web interface) report normal download speeds of ~40mbps.

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[Betatester548]

Thanks very much for that info.

I think we will probably just buy a new RT-AX56U at this point, I’ve been reading about how used routers (including Asus routers) can fail gradually and the problems people describe seem to follow the same pattern.

I may try the PPPoE relay with the new router though.

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[Betatester548]

Can I operate the DSL-N16 as a modem in bridge mode, just by disabling NAT and DHCP? And leaving PPPOE (or maybe ‘Automatic IP’) enabled?

Or, would the ethernet port connecting to the WAN port on the router be inactive with bridge mode off?

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[Betatester548]

Definitely V1.

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[Betatester548]

Mostly just manage congestion from heavy downloads while doing other things like video conferencing and online game streaming (keeping latency / bufferbloat delays low with SQM).

I was just wondering if you have any ideas about what might’ve gone wrong with the ASUS RT-AX56U? Can routers be ‘worn out’ for example? I suppose a defective version (e.g RT-AX56U v1) is more likely.

EDIT – I just checked and it’s the RT-AX56U hardware version 1.0 (manufactured in 2020).

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[Betatester548]

Thanks, but unfortunately neither the latest official firmware or ASUSWRT-Merlin fixed the WAN disconnection issues or frequent download rate drops.

Forgot to mention that the RT-AX56U wouldn’t sync up at all with the DSL-N16 acting as the modem.

It did sync up with the technicolor router and TP-Link Archer VR200 in bridge mode, however. The VR200 worked the best out of all devices in bridge mode, and didn’t have any weird issues like not being able to access the web interface.

I’m a bit unsure if we should buy another of the same type of router that’s new, or a different brand and model.

I think we will be returning the RT-AX56U tomorrow (bought from CEX).

Can you recommend any other routers with offer SQM?

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[Betatester548]

The Asus RT-AX56U didn’t work well for me. I was getting random WAN disconnections as well as frequent drops in download speed to nothing.

I wonder if this was due to the router been pre-owned.

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[Betatester548]

Cheers, I’ll do that.

The VLAN ID can be set in the WAN settings menu. I think I can just leave it at 101.

I’m curious about the differences I might see using SQM on the AX56U. Is this something you have used much before?

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[Betatester548]

That’s good news. the DSL-N16 does have some good modem / DSL options (and I can limit the upstream VDSL frequencies to reduce CRCs to 0). I have a soft spot for it, as I got it 2nd hand for just £10 and it has been generally better than all the other DSL/VDSL modems I’ve used.

What’s the best way to check for a double NAT?

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