Being moved from Plusnet to EE due to home phone - router questions

[nmw01223]

We are about to be moved from Plusnet to EE because we need to keep our landline (v. poor mobile coverage). I have some technical questions that I cannot get answered by Plusnet or EE.

We currently use a Tp-link VR600 router (PPPoE), but from what I can see continuing with that is not an option because EE digital voice is proprietary and no 3rd party router supports it. Is that right?

If so, I guess we need to use the EE smart hub 6 plus, which I'm told is what we'll get. Unfortunately I can find very few proper technical details about it. Hence some questions, if anyone can help. They are:

1. What local IP address range does it use as a DHCP server. I'm guessing it'll be 192.168.1.x. Is that changeable in the configuration of the router, because it's not what we currently use?
2. We also have a block of our local addresses set aside for fixed IP addresses - our DHCP is from .16 upwards. Can that be configured in the EE router?
3. Does the EE router support mesh range extenders for seamless coverage extension?
4. Can a separate 'internet only' guest WiFi network be configured, ie with no access to anything else on the local network - useful for occasional 3rd party user connections.
5. Are both the wireless SSID and pass key settable?

Some may say why don't you just configure all your other devices to work with EE? Well, maybe could for some of the above, but it's a lot easier to change the router once to work with everything else.

On the assumption that some at least of the above may not be possible, can I get the Tp-Link and EE routers to work together? I get the feeling probably yes, as follows:

• The EE router plugs into the wall socket, and the landline into the EE router.
• The two routers need to be linked by a short ethernet cable.
• Wireless on the EE router needs to be turned off.
• The Tp-Link router needs to be switched from DSL modem router mode to Wireless router mode.

Is that right? Does that work, ie EE connects to the ISP and handles the phone, Tp-Link does the rest?

Would I get double NAT? Would I therefore need to turn off NAT in the EE router?

Any comments gratefully received.

[Mustrum]

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@nmw01223 wrote:

We are about to be moved from Plusnet to EE because we need to keep our landline (v. poor mobile coverage). I have some technical questions that I cannot get answered by Plusnet or EE.

We currently use a Tp-link VR600 router (PPPoE), but from what I can see continuing with that is not an option because EE digital voice is proprietary and no 3rd party router supports it. Is that right? Correct

If so, I guess we need to use the EE smart hub 6 plus, which I'm told is what we'll get. Unfortunately I can find very few proper technical details about it. Hence some questions, if anyone can help. They are:

1. What local IP address range does it use as a DHCP server. I'm guessing it'll be 192.168.1.x. Is that changeable in the configuration of the router, because it's not what we currently use?
2. We also have a block of our local addresses set aside for fixed IP addresses - our DHCP is from .16 upwards. Can that be configured in the EE router?
3. Does the EE router support mesh range extenders for seamless coverage extension? EE have extenders that are matched to their routers, you cannot mix and match.
4. Can a separate 'internet only' guest WiFi network be configured, ie with no access to anything else on the local network - useful for occasional 3rd party user connections.yes, I beleive so.
5. Are both the wireless SSID and pass key settable? yes

Some may say why don't you just configure all your other devices to work with EE? Well, maybe could for some of the above, but it's a lot easier to change the router once to work with everything else.

On the assumption that some at least of the above may not be possible, can I get the Tp-Link and EE routers to work together? I get the feeling probably yes, as follows:

• The EE router plugs into the wall socket, and the landline into the EE router.
• The two routers need to be linked by a short ethernet cable.
• Wireless on the EE router needs to be turned off.
• The Tp-Link router needs to be switched from DSL modem router mode to Wireless router mode.

Is that right? Does that work, ie EE connects to the ISP and handles the phone, Tp-Link does the rest? yes if you want to do it that way, but the EE router is still a router, but you could switch WIFI off.

Would I get double NAT? Would I therefore need to turn off NAT in the EE router? yes you would get double NAT, no you cant turn NAT off.

Any comments gratefully received.

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some comments added which may help.

[XRaySpeX]

Re: NAT. If you connect LAN to WAN you will get a double NAT. If you connect LAN to LAN you won't but you will have to operate under the same DHCP range on both.

I think!

[nmw01223]

Makes sense. Presumably LAN/LAN and one NAT only would mean the DHCP range as set by the EE router? Is double NAT any issue apart from a very small performance penalty?

[nmw01223]

Maybe I can turn NAT off in the Tp-Link. Don't know, need to look.

[XRaySpeX]

Yes, DHCP range will be set by EE router & TP-Link would act as an AP.

Double NAT should not be an issue unless you are using it for gaming.