Sky apps won't connect unless via Devolo Homeplugs' WIFI

[Jack_Hennety]

If you're interested, I tried seawright's suggestion, but using an old router as an AP rather than the wireless connector. So, the old router was connected by ethernet to the current one, and enabled as an access point. I could then connect to its WIFI on the iPad, and it connected to the internet ok. Then I tried the Sky+ app, which wouldn't find the Sky box. Changed the WIFI on the iPad to the Devolo WIFI: instant connection to the Sky box.

Which means the Devolo AP and the old router AP, each connected via ethernet, are not working in the same way, and that means that it's the homeplugs that the Sky+ app can't cope with (I think!).

[seawright]

If you're interested, I tried seawright's suggestion, but using an old router as an AP rather than the wireless connector. So, the old router was connected by ethernet to the current one, and enabled as an access point. I could then connect to its WIFI on the iPad, and it connected to the internet ok. Then I tried the Sky+ app, which wouldn't find the Sky box. Changed the WIFI on the iPad to the Devolo WIFI: instant connection to the Sky box.

I have tried with a Sky wireless adapter but I could not get it to connect to another wireless device operating in ad-hoc mode so no point in retrieving yours from the attic. I'm using Belkin home plugs to connect one of my Sky boxes but they do not have a wifi capability.

Which means the Devolo AP and the old router AP, each connected via ethernet, are not working in the same way, and that means that it's the homeplugs that the Sky+ app can't cope with (I think!).

Unless your old router has the same problem that it will not bridge multicast packets between wifi and ethernet. Don't know what else to suggest unless there is a network guru reading this who has any better idea how to resolve whether it's the router or the home plugs that are causing the problem.

[Scubbie]

Reading elsewhere, there may be a firmware update for your HomePlugs. Can I suggest that you double check the manufacturer's website and see if this is the case?

If so, please do apply it. It might be in Beta, but it should resolve a few issues.

[Jack_Hennety]

Well wouldn't you know it, today Sky release 4.3.5 of the Sky+ app for iPad (one of the features being 'improved connectivity') and it works fine.

So now they just need to update the Android version likewise and I'm sorted.

[Nighthawk]

I have experienced the same problem with develo home plugs. If I connect to the router wifi I cannot connect to other devices on the network that are wired to the router (nas drive, sonos, printer). If I connect via the develo wireless network then can see all devices as if I can see all devices on the wired network, but the sky router wifi cannot see them. I only gas this problem after upgrading to fibre. My older sky routers worked fine. I think it is a sky router firmware issue.

[Nighthawk]

I may have a solution for this for fibre users. After scanning online for similar issues I found a suggested fix. In the router settings WAN Setup mode change from auto to WANOE ONLY. This then gives a picture showing which port must be used for connecting to the Bt openreach box (the lower Ethernet port). It us reported that a firewall operates on all of the Ethernet ports. But if the WANOE only option is used then this only applies to the one port. I don't know if this is correct, but I could connect immediately to other devices after changing this setting. If I subsequently find that this hasn't worked I will re-post.

[speedyrite]

@Nighthawk Would you please post a link to the source of the info about the firewall operation when in WANoE mode?