1 Gbps EE broadband : use router only as access point

[planetf1b]

I'm considering getting the 900/110 service on EE broadband. 

I already have a router (N100 miniPC running opnsense) that I will continue using as router since I run a number of things on there including packet inspection etc.

Can the BT provided router be used purely as an access point bridged to an existing network (over ethernet)?

I currently use my existing ISP provided eero (they're horrid for routing, but decent for wifi), but need to return if I switch. 

Obviously I will otherwise buy a standalone wap system -such as https://ui.com/wifi but extra £ 😞

[JimM11]

@planetf1b If landline for DV is required the EE router is required, double nat only option for routing, if not then correct directly as a third party router to the new ONT which is the modem and assuming you do not have fibre as yet. HTH

EE router has no AP or bridge mode function, all or nothing thats you 2 choices with it.

[XRaySpeX]

The EE-provided router, SH+, does not have bridging mode as such but you can disable WiFi on it & connect all your WiFi devices to your existing router.

[planetf1a]

No dv needed so I’d connect my own directly (essential) Would need to use something else for WiFi. At least I know when considering options

 thanks

[JimM11]

@planetf1a Link for the router to connect. And if you get to keep the eero then you may be able to use if they have AP mode.

How Do I Use My Own Router for Home Broadband? | Help | EE

[planetf1b]

I've now had the EE service for a week. I thought it worth clarifying this in case anyone else wishes to do the same

In my case I have opnsense as my router for a range of reasons, and do do things a more basic ISP provided router cannot.

The EE router can be used as an AP.  I was able to :
 - connect directly to EE router (via a LAN port)
 - Disable DHCP and Ipv6 (to avoid any additional RAs)
 - set an appropriate SSID etc
 - turn off the LED
 - connect any of my current home ethernet ports to one of the LAN ports

With this configuration, the EE 'router' is now dumb. It is only working as an access point bridging WAN and LAN.

I currently have an Eero router from previous ISP, which is used only as a wifi AP, but it needs to be returned. I will likely buy Ubiquity wifi kit, so this EE router usage is just an experiment for short term.

Interestingly I noticed that from my iPhone 13 pro max at least it performed significantly faster (~700 Mbps) than my eero (550 Mbps) despite both using wifi 5 and 2x2 mimo...  Neither really an issue for a phone. fastest speeds just needed on laptops which are mostly ethernet connected.

[Mustrum]

@planetf1b   my question would be why?

If your router can be configured to use PPOE, then simply connect to the ONT.

Setting are simple and EE provided a handy Help page. https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/using-and-configuring-a-third-party-router 

[JimM11]

@planetf1b Please do keep the forum up to date, with any oddities that you come across, but you may not if going to setup a true AP before then.

[planetf1b]

Just noticed the old thread.

I did switch to EE broadband. I have one area of the house which needs to get through an external wall to security cameras/car. I tried out the EE hub (the older one, not the shiny new wifi7 one). Works just fine as a network bridge, ie ethernet connected to my LAN port. configured my ssid/security, disabled dhcp & ipv6 RA. So it just bridges from ethernet to wifi without interfering (have a separate router with dhcp, which also advertises a ipv6 prefix).

So it can be used in the way I was hoping. Interestingly it performs better than an eero 6e, at least on 5 Ghz. consistently,

[Mr_Incredible]

@planetf1b 

Out of interest, do you use VLANs off your N100 ports to better segment your setup?  

Is it the EE Smart Hub Plus that you have as an AP point into your LAN?  If so, are you using the 'Guest Wifi' as well as the main 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz  channels?  If so, just curious how you deal with keeping that isolated if that is auto assigned an IP by the EE Router (10.100.100.0/24)?  As far as I could see on the Plus I have (and a Pro version as well), there is no facility to dictate what that subnet is on the Guest Wifi.

Thanks.