What’s people’s experience of switching from PPoE to DHCP WAN connection on Spark?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › What’s people’s experience of switching from PPoE to DHCP WAN connection on Spark?

AndyT

163 posts

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#320093 5-Jul-2025 17:21

I’m wondering what people’s experience has been switching from a PPoE to DHCP WAN connection on Spark 1 GbE in Christchurch with Enable as the LFC?

Was it straightforward, complicated or a total failure?

I understand the arguments for and against i.e. if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and there’s only technical benefit once you’re above 1 GbE, but I’m more interested in the how the change went, what the system downtime was, pitfalls to avoid, preparation steps etc.

I know it should be straightforward, but I’m really nervous as I tried once before and it went badly and the system defaulted back to PPPoE on re-boot which I’ve stuck with since. The issue back then turned out to be a problem with the old black Huawei ONT but that has since been replaced and so it might be a better experience if give it another go….. subject to people’s feedback.

AndyT

Jiriteach

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#3390079 5-Jul-2025 17:32

Change is seamless.
~8-10 mins for the switchover to happen.

That was with Chorus as LFC on Spark in Wellington.

Have switched back and forth several times for testing - no issues and also no noticeable difference.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

AndyT

163 posts

Master Geek

#3391241 6-Jul-2025 16:09

Many thanks @Jiriteach

I've now switched back to DHCP and all is good.

It was again a bit tricky, but I've learnt with several like episodes like this that the UCG Max and Spark / Enable interface is a bit "glitchy" when trying to configure the WAN ...... no idea why, but the remedy / workaround for which I've figured out is to take the UCG max out of circuit, put an old original Spark Smart Modem 1 into circuit, configure the WAN form the SMM1, then immediately swap back the patch panel WAN cable from SMM1 to UCG Max and the system is immediately up and running again!

I'm glad I didn't dispose of the SMM1 all those years ago when I first got into Unifi .... It's really earning its keep now!

Cheers,

AndyT

michaelmurfy

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#3391244 6-Jul-2025 16:29

Right now, with Enable, I would recommend using PPPoE.

They're going through quite a big network migration and from what I've seen PPPoE is just more stable. For Gigabit anyway, I would using PPPoE regardless if your router can handle it.

I'm even on 2Gbit Hyperfibre and use PPPoE. It's just better IMHO.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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AndyT

163 posts

Master Geek

#3391721 7-Jul-2025 15:31

Thanks @Micaelmurfy.

Interesting that you're on PPPoE at 2 GbE as I was thinking that the current Enable shenanigans with repeated short outages in CHC was likely to be related to them perhaps gearing up for a soon to be announced 2 GbE offering in CHC, and that once available in our area of CHC I'd probably make the move to 2 GbE ..... not that we technically need it, but I like to keep up with the latest technology (within reason) and with Spark recently upping its prices, Quic's 2GbE current offering outside CHC looks increasingly attractive.

I understood (perhaps incorrectly) that DHCP was "leaner and meaner" than PPPoE with its technical overhead, and could provide a better experience once above 1 GbE..... but seeing your post and respecting your far greater networking knowledge and experience than mine, I'm now not so sure!

Quic offer both PPPoE and DHCP so its not really an issue, but interested to know if I've incorrectly understood DHCP to be the go-to above 1 GbE once Enable's LFC service settles down to a stable BAU?

Cheers,

Andy T

michaelmurfy

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#3391763 7-Jul-2025 20:29

Depends on the router. With me, and a Mikrotik RB5009 I can get 2Gbit fine on PPPoE:

There are cases where IPoE/DHCP is better but those cases are normally because your router simply can’t route PPPoE at line speed (like my previous Fortigate). With PPPoE it’s a tunnel to your ISP so it’s either up or down where DHCP is stateless so the ISP technically has less control.

It is nice ISP’s are starting to offer both! But would always recommend PPPoE unless if you’ve got problems.

AndyT

163 posts

Master Geek

#3391771 7-Jul-2025 21:21

@ Michaelmurfy

Thank you for your response, and I get it now.

I guess I'll need to test the UCG Max configured for PPPoE on a Quic 2GbE connection if / when it becomes available in urban CHC. If all good and the UCG Max can handle it, then stick with PPPoE. Otherwise switch to DHCP.

AndyT

nztim

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#3391792 8-Jul-2025 08:31

The RB5009 is a seriously powerful router, an equivalent UTM firewall with the same PPPoE processing power will be in the $10K mark

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