Trying to use Google Nest Wifi Pro router instead of the Spark smart modem for fiber

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Trying to use Google Nest Wifi Pro router instead of the Spark smart modem for fiber

nexus415

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#318566 30-Jan-2025 12:31

I just had Spark Fiber installed.

The ONT is connected to the Spark smart modem 2 which is connected to my Google Nest Wifi Pro router mesh. The all works - so I have a working system.

But I want to remove the Spark smart modem 2 from this setup and use the Google Nest Wifi Pro as the router.

I tried to setup the Google Nest Wifi Pro router on PPPoE as described here: https://www.spark.co.nz/help/internet/set-up/broadband-settings-for-third-party-modems.html but it does not work - I am getting an error during the Google Nest Wifi Pro router setup (which I factory reset before trying to do this) stating that there is no internet. The only PPPoE option I have to adjust during setup is Username and password (In am using PPP username: user@spark.co.nz and PPP password: password)

Any ideas what I could be doing wrong? I also rebooted the ONT during this process.

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3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3337370 30-Jan-2025 12:36

You have to had a vlan tag, id=10.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

nexus415

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3337376 30-Jan-2025 12:46

Is that a setting that is inside the Google Nest Wifi Pro router? If so, google states it does support this setting.

It seems that globally vlan tagging is typically not needed when dealing with consumer level fiber. Is there a way around it or I must get a different router/wesh/wifi if I want to remove the Spark router?

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3337377 30-Jan-2025 12:47

You can strip the tag with a managed switch.

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3337378 30-Jan-2025 12:49

P.S. Or change to Skinny.

nexus415

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3337382 30-Jan-2025 12:53

So, same fiber connection, same ONT, just setup a skinny account and dump spark?. Everything stays the same except who I pay my bill to and I get rid of the stupid unnecessary box in the middle

Spyware

3764 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3337383 30-Jan-2025 12:55

Yes, Skinny use Spark network with no vlan tag. Spark may insist on a disconnection fee though.

nitro

658 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3337442 30-Jan-2025 15:12

I thought there has been a fw update for the Nest Wifi to support VLAN 2 and 10?

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9798157?hl=en#zippy=%2Caustralia-or-new-zealand

Quic Broadband

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epr

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3343410 16-Feb-2025 16:04

Just wondering if you got this to work I have a set of Google Nest WiFi Pro routers that do not support vlan 10 tagging out of the box but I'm not sure how i can update them to do this but I would love to use them as they seem like a great device if you can it them to work. I'm on 2Degrees so was going to pay a question in the 2Degrees forum but thought i would search for this problem first and find this thread.

nexus415

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3343420 16-Feb-2025 17:09

I stopped trying and ap I'm using the spark "modem" inbetween. and will follow spywares advice and I will change providers. It's an archaic requirement

nztim

3819 posts

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TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#3343433 16-Feb-2025 19:06

nexus415:

I stopped trying and ap I'm using the spark "modem" inbetween. and will follow spywares advice and I will change providers. It's an archaic requirement

VLAN tags have their purpose to allow for priority traffic to be given guaranteed bandwidth for mission critical applications

it's definitely not an archaic requirement just not required for home use

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3343435 16-Feb-2025 19:30

The Google Nest routers would try to connect first without VLAN tags, and then again with tags 2 and 10, automatically.

Or you can get a cheap managed switch and use it to remove the tag, between the ONT and the router.

epr

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3344984 20-Feb-2025 15:59

Can you suggest one that is suitable please.

epr

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3345361 21-Feb-2025 18:04

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch USW-Flex-Mini 5-Port Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch with USB-C Power Adapter

This seems like a good device for the cost but i don't know if it would do the job also I have zero idea of how to set it up.

nitro

658 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3345419 21-Feb-2025 19:40

epr:

Just wondering if you got this to work I have a set of Google Nest WiFi Pro routers that do not support vlan 10 tagging out of the box but I'm not sure how i can update them to do this but I would love to use them as they seem like a great device if you can it them to work. I'm on 2Degrees so was going to pay a question in the 2Degrees forum but thought i would search for this problem first and find this thread.

have you tried the suggestion in the image i posted previously? the part specifically "for units built or updated before june 2020".

in case your unit needs a f/w update, you should piggy-back it on to a working router (the one from your RSP) to allow your nest wifi pro access to the internet and download the update.

nexus415

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3345420 21-Feb-2025 19:43

Nope. I just changed service providers. Problem solved.

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