Non-Sky Router Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

[mossywell]

Version 2.0 - 15 March 2007

These are common questions that recur on a daily basis. Please read this first: http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/askin...ing-forum.html.

NOTE: All the ideas below are unsupported by Sky and could damage your router, so you do them entirely at your own risk and Skyuser.co.uk and myself won't be liable if it all goes pearshaped!

1. Can I use the Sky router on other ADSL services?
   
   Yes you can, but you have to flash the router first, using the emergency flash procedure, with a generic (or custom if you're feeling adventurous) firmware. Look here for more information: Support Page.
   
   
2. Can I use a different (non-Sky) router on Sky?
   
   Yes, you can - you need to get your ADSL user name and passwords and enter them into the other router. (See question 4 for how to do this.) NOTE: This breaches the terms and conditions that you agreed to when signing up to Sky and Sky therefore have the right to kick you off their broadband service (at best)!
   
   
3. Are there any other settings that I'll need in my non-Sky router other than the ADSL user name and password?
   
   Yes:
   Encapsulation: PPPoA
   VPI/VCI: 0/38
   Multiplexing: VC
   
   
4. How easy is it to use my own router?
   
   That's a difficult one (if you'll excuse the play on words). It's a bit like asking how easy is it to hit a dartboard? If you're name happens to be Phil Taylor, it is very easy indeed. If you go by the pseudonym mossywell - very hard indeed! All I can say is that IMHO, it is very easy especially if you are familiar with your own router's settings and configuration.
   
   
5. I don't have my Sky router yet, but they've already sent me the user name and password. Can I use that before my Sky router turns up?
   
   No! There are three user name / passwords pairs that are used.
   
   • There is a user name and password to log into the Sky web mail and other portal service (which I'll call the "portal login"). This is the one that Sky send you through the post before the router arrives.
   • There is a user name and password to log into the router usually via a web browser (which I'll call the "router login"). The user name is "admin" and the password is "sky".
   • There is a user name and password to log into the Sky ADSL network (which I'll call the "ADSL login"). The user name is of the format <12-character-mac-address>@skydsl and the password is of the format: <10-character-alphanumeric>.
   
   
   Do not confuse these three logins - that are all different! To labour the point: you cannot use the portal login to gain access to the ADSL network for example. The ADSL login is the one that you need to access the Sky ADSL network if you want to use a different router. To obtain this ADSL login, you need to extract the user name and password from the router that Sky send you. These two threads explain how: http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/techn...ky-router.html and http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/techn...matically.html.
   To nail the point home: you cannot access Sky's ADSL network using a different router until you have received your own router from Sky and extracted the user name and password from that password.
   
   
6. Can Sky find out that I'm not using their router?
   
   Yes: easily.
   
   
7. Even if I mask / hide / change my new router's MAC address to match the original Sky router?
   
   Yes: easily. Except for the ultra-curious, I wouldn't recommend expending any effort doing this!
   
   
8. I've tried these suggestions to get my Belco Netcatel YYZ router to work on Sky, but I'm getting problems!
   
   Try rebooting "everything"! Reboot the router, the PCs, the kitchen sink, etc and see if that fixes it. Some problems are DHCP related and can be fixed by copious quantities of rebooting!

Finally, if you read this FAQ, try the suggestions listed but run into problems, please start a new thread rather than reply to this. Only reply to this if you want to correct or extend this FAQ.

.

[xyzzyx]

Can I have BT broadband and Sky tv at the same time?Nothing is written on the websites about it.

[NewsreadeR]

Yes. You just cannot have Sky Broadband and BT Broadband at the same time, unless you had two different phonelines.

[reddwarfcrew]

deleted, misread NR reply.

[Isitme]

Nothing is written on the websites about it.

The only reference you will find is 'Switching from another supplier'-
Sky.com - Sky Products>Broadband>Switching to Sky

All Sky TV users who were on broadband, had broadband with another ISP before coming to Sky. Many still use other ISPs

[ogden109]

I don't understand how to get my username and password so I can use my D-link router instead of my Sky Router. My wireless card in my computer will not pick up the Sky signal for some reason.

[Isitme]

^^^^
Use James' password generator, it is the safest and simplest way.
https://www.cm9.net/skypass/

[millie canning]

I have been trying for 2 days to use a DG834N instead of my sky router. Kids have had Wii for xmas & want access. can't access the sky wireless router in that room. You wouldn't believe how rude the guy at sky was to me yesterday & yet the one today gave me this site address. Managed to get 4 green lights on front. Changed MAC address in ADSL. Have been to site & got username & passwords but don't know where to enter them. The connection staus window in the router login is saying CHAP authentication failed. & Finally my last problem seems to be I'm on a Mac (OS 10.3.9) & none of the forum links seem to work & I have no technical knowledge at all - I'm an artist! (hence the Mac).
Can someone please help

[Isitme]

Do you have the Router Manual? If not download it from here-
ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/dg834n_setup_man.pdf

As you are not using Windows you will have to use the Manual setup procedure, which you will find on page 1-6. Apart from the username and password the only other information you need is -
Encapsulation: PPPoA
VPI 0
VCI 38
Multiplexing: VC

If you are still unable to connect, download the username and password again from https://www.cm9.net/skypass/ making sure that you enter the details required correctly.

[millie canning]

Ok Thanks, got all that in. all though still not sure if username & password should go in login & password on set-up of router manager (doesn't look right) Taken grab of sky router status & DG834N router status all looks same now except even though I've copied the original IP Address, Subnet Mask & Gateway IP address, DNS. none of them show up. The Lan port panel I havent changed at all, modem & wireless all read the same but I'm still having the CHAP authentication failed error in the connection status box. Have plugged in my laptop PC but no joy there either.
I'm just on the point of giving up. Are there any easier ways of boosting my wireless strength just to reach the other side of my house?