Hub 2 - Bridge Mode vs. Alternate Router (QOS)

[#1]

I moved house and my new line seems to max out at 29 download.

It's enough for me and my partner to work from home whilst having Spotify or something on, however if Netflix gets put on it instantly slows everything else.

I'm ethernet cabled into the router where as all other devices are wifi. I'll have 29 download until netflix goes on then it goes to 11-17.

After some research QoS seems to be the only option to prioritise my device or certain applications.

I understand the Hub 2 doesn't have QoS so need to buy a new router.

What i don't understand is why all discussions on routers appear to use the old router as a bridge device rather than simply replacing with a better router?

[#2]

@JW13  Welcome to the Plusnet Community Fora.

The Hub 2 is a combined modem and router. If you are on a FTTC service then you can either replace it with a similar combined device or use the Hub 2 in Bridge mode, which means that just the modem is in circuit, and add a router of your choice. Routers are cheaper and there is more choice than combined devices.

If you are on FTTP the modem is not required.

[#3]

How do i determine if i'm on FTTC ? i'm assuming this is the case as i'm certainly not FTTP.

I tried adding a router TP Link AX5400 and turning hub 2 to bridge mode. The Hub 2 went purple which i think tells me it was in bridge but i could never get the broadband light to come on the TP Link. I called Plusnet to confirm i was using the right PPOE log in details (as i understand its just my username and password) but it would never get a connection.

From reading some forums i think maybe i had the wiring wrong. Is it supposed to be DSL cable from Master socket to Hub 2. Lan cable from the Wan port in Hub 2 to the LAN port in TP Link?

[#4]

The WAN port in a Hub 2 is to link to the BT equipment when you have FTTP. Not used with FTTC or ADSL.

Your wiring is wrong.

[#5]

@JW13 

There is no purple light on the Hub 2, it should be pink.

You must enter your username in the form: username@plusdsl.net, not just your username. 
VLAN should be set to none/off

You must use a LAN port on the Hub 2 I would assume that you connect this to a WAN port on the top-link but haven’t read the manual.

[#6]

Thanks - I returned the TP link in my frustration of it not working. I'll order a new one and come back and see if i can get it to work following your advice.

[#7]

@JW13 

A bit late I know!

The light on a Hub Two in bridge mode looked more purple than pink to me. Once in bridge mode all router functions are turned off, any further changes are made to the TP-Link router

The Internet setting on the router should have looked like

You connect the Blue WAN port on the AX5400 to any of the three LAN ports on the Hub Two. 

[#8]

@JW13 

I'm not convinced that a router with Quality Of Service will improve matters for you.

If the problem is that the Netflix data from you to Netflix is filling up the upstream path (essentially the replies to say the video has arrived and other signalling) then deprioritising that data might help without breaking the streaming.

However if Netflix is using up 12 Mb/s of data (which with a bit of caching of a 4k video stream it might be) then QoS won't help much.

Is the 29Mb/s the best achievable for your line length?

I assume your router is plugged into the master socket.

What you may need to do is rate limit the connection used by Netflix (essentially forcing the video quality down),

An alternative might be to take out a subscription that doesn't offer a 4k service.