Hi All, I have a problem I can't seem to solve by myself. I have been through all the settings on my network devices I can't seem to find what I am looking for.
Problem:
The gist of my problem is that I have 2 ISP's, Virgin Media and Sky. The Virgin internet is the top package, the Sky is the slowest and cheapest available, therefore a backup to the main internet going down. Problem is that many of my devices, but strangely not all, decide to exclusively connect to the internet through the Sky router when it is available.
I must have a separate WiFi access point downstairs as whoever built my house seems to have made it a Faraday cage at the same time. The Virgin Hub 3.0 is set to modem mode and has no other configuration options. I recently brought an Asus RT-AC66U_B1 to function as the main Router and for more up to date WiFi access than I had previously, it is also the DHCP. I have included a network diagram below for clarity.
As I stated this works for some devices, but not others. My main PC 'GrandSlam' works fine Getting full fat internet no matter what I change. My phone on the other hand (a OnePlus 7 Pro) is using the Sky Router if it is available, but works fine if I completely unplug the Sky Router, and ONLY when it is fully off.
The problem is not limited to WiFi as this also breaks my work Laptop (and I do have admin access so can't dig into it on there) but this happens when wired or WiFi on there.
Other info:
I have the option on the Sky Router to 'Disconnect' the modem and keep WiFi on, which I assumed would be sufficient. It is not, all that does is prevent web access entirely.
I find it strange that even when connected to the main routers wifi it would still use the Sky as the route to the internet are more convoluted than the direct connection it would have from the router it is connected to. I might understand it if was limited to the wifi directly from the Sky Hub.
I also have a PiHole as a DNS Blocker, but that shouldn't be part of this problem, just something to be aware of.
What I am looking into:
Now, I can see an option to have a dual WAN on the Asus Router. However I am not convinced setting it up this way will fix my problem. In addition it would mean running another cable outside my house to make this work in the first place. Is anyone able to confirm whether this would be a fix that will work for me?
Is this even fixable with the consumer grade hardware I have? I'm guessing it might simply be that the Sky Router is designed to be idiot proof and forces itself to work somehow, and the options to change this are not exposed in the basic GUI provided for updating settings.
The only other solution I can think of it to get the Access Point (an old slightly crap one I have, Tp-Link I think) and putting that downstairs. I would prefer to use the Sky though, is it uses a more modern WiFi standard and can act as a fallback if needed (not that it's really important for home use I guess).
Or anything else I can try. Any suggestions appreciated.
Examples:
Problem:
The gist of my problem is that I have 2 ISP's, Virgin Media and Sky. The Virgin internet is the top package, the Sky is the slowest and cheapest available, therefore a backup to the main internet going down. Problem is that many of my devices, but strangely not all, decide to exclusively connect to the internet through the Sky router when it is available.
I must have a separate WiFi access point downstairs as whoever built my house seems to have made it a Faraday cage at the same time. The Virgin Hub 3.0 is set to modem mode and has no other configuration options. I recently brought an Asus RT-AC66U_B1 to function as the main Router and for more up to date WiFi access than I had previously, it is also the DHCP. I have included a network diagram below for clarity.
As I stated this works for some devices, but not others. My main PC 'GrandSlam' works fine Getting full fat internet no matter what I change. My phone on the other hand (a OnePlus 7 Pro) is using the Sky Router if it is available, but works fine if I completely unplug the Sky Router, and ONLY when it is fully off.
The problem is not limited to WiFi as this also breaks my work Laptop (and I do have admin access so can't dig into it on there) but this happens when wired or WiFi on there.
Other info:
I have the option on the Sky Router to 'Disconnect' the modem and keep WiFi on, which I assumed would be sufficient. It is not, all that does is prevent web access entirely.
I find it strange that even when connected to the main routers wifi it would still use the Sky as the route to the internet are more convoluted than the direct connection it would have from the router it is connected to. I might understand it if was limited to the wifi directly from the Sky Hub.
I also have a PiHole as a DNS Blocker, but that shouldn't be part of this problem, just something to be aware of.
What I am looking into:
Now, I can see an option to have a dual WAN on the Asus Router. However I am not convinced setting it up this way will fix my problem. In addition it would mean running another cable outside my house to make this work in the first place. Is anyone able to confirm whether this would be a fix that will work for me?
Is this even fixable with the consumer grade hardware I have? I'm guessing it might simply be that the Sky Router is designed to be idiot proof and forces itself to work somehow, and the options to change this are not exposed in the basic GUI provided for updating settings.
The only other solution I can think of it to get the Access Point (an old slightly crap one I have, Tp-Link I think) and putting that downstairs. I would prefer to use the Sky though, is it uses a more modern WiFi standard and can act as a fallback if needed (not that it's really important for home use I guess).
Or anything else I can try. Any suggestions appreciated.
Examples:
Configuration | GrandSlam PC (Ethernet) | Android Phone (Wifi) |
Sky On and 'Connected' to the web | Speedtest: ~380 MBS | Speedtest: ~1 MBS |
Sky On but 'Disconnected' from the web | Speedtest: ~380 MBS | Broken, no internet access |
Sky Router Powered Off | Speedtest: ~380 MBS | Speedtest: ~380 MBS |
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