Over the past six months or so, I've seen numerous questions asked on various forums about the Sky Broadband service about getting connected and the Sky Broadband Box. Rather than answering individual questions I've compiled the most frequently asked into a FAQ.

~ What is the "Sky Broadband Box"?

V1 - This router is a sky badged Netgear DG834GT. The firmware (software installed on the router) is Sky specific and "locked" so that it will only work on the sky broadband service. Sky have also "locked" the router so that you cant telnet into the router to get further information or services from the CLI like you would be able to with a standard DG834GT.

V2 - With effect from Dec 2007 Sky replaced the DG834GT with 2 new models. The base product is a Sagem F@st 2504 whilst other accounts would appear to get a Netgear DG934G. Both of these models look remarkably similar since they are within a black "skybox". In 2010, Sky released a version 'V2c' which is a D-Link DSL-2640S. To check which model you have look at the label on the bottom of the router.

V3 - In late 2011 Sky introduced a new router which looked similar to the Sky+ HD Box, which boasts wireless N.  Under the hood this is a Sagem Fast 2504n.

~ I haven't received my Sky router yet. Can I connect to the service using my old router?

Unfortunately not. Your sky router contains a special logon information which you need to be able to connect to the sky service. Until you get your router you have no other way of obtaining these details.

~ What are these different sky passwords?

Sky users have different username and passwords that access different services. These are:-

• Main Sky Username and Password. (Account password).
  Sky provides you with these details via post once you have signed up for the service before they despatch your router. This allows you to log into the Sky Portal service and access facilities such as mail, webmail and other portal services.
  
  
• ADSL connection login
  Allows your router to connect to the sky adsl service. The username is based on the MAC address of your sky router (MAC_address@skydsl) whilst the password is 10 alphanumeric characters hard coded into the router.
  
  
• Router login.
  Specific login which allows you to access information about your router and connection via the router web interface at http://192.168.0.1  This is the same for all sky customers and by default the username = "admin", password = "sky".
  

~ Can I use my own router on the sky service?

Sky's T+Cs (section 3) specifically stipulate that you must use their supplied router and you must allow the firmware to be automatically updated by sky.

Whilst not recommended* - It is possible to use another router to access the sky service, but first you need to be able to obtain your adsl connection login details which can only be obtained from the DG834GT sky router.
Only when you have your sky adsl connection login details will you be able to configure your own router to be able to access the sky service.

~ Is there an easy way to get my login details?

James' Sky router password generator should work for the following routers

• DG834GT
• DG934G
• Sagem F@ST 2504

If you have a Sky DLink DSL-2640S try Mels Password Extrator

For the Sagem F@st 2504n follow the intructions here

~ What other information would I need to be able to use my own router?

The same information as setting up a router connection for any UK adsl as outlined on my "Manually configuring a router" page, but to cut to the quick facts:

Protocol/Encapsulation :- PPPoA (PPP over ATM)
Multiplexing method: VC-BASED or VC-Mux
(On some routers the above 2 settings may be combined as "PPPoA VC-Mux".)
VPI = 0
VCI = 38
DSL Standard: G.dmt
Security Protocol: CHAP

~ Will sky know that I'm not using the sky router?

Yes.

~ Can I use standard Netgear Firmware on my Sky router?

To do so would be against the sky T+Cs which in section 3 stipulate that you must use their equipment and firmware and allow updates to their firmware.

However, and whilst strongly not recommended*, it is possible to flash the Netgear Sky routers with the standard generic Netgear firmware which can be obtained from the Netgear site.

Before attempting to flash upgrade your sky router, you will need to obtain your sky login details which is stored in the router and will be lost once you upgrade to generic firmware. For information on unlocking the Netgear Sky Routers see below.

This method is not recommended, as aside from breaking your Sky T+C's, there is always a risk that you may cause damage to your router.

~ Can I unlock the Sky router (Netgear DG834GT)?

See the Flash Sky router (Netgear DG834GT) tutorial.
The tutorial is given for information only on the understanding that you may cause damage to your router.

~ Can I unlock the Sky router (Netgear DG934G)?

See the Flash Sky router (Netgear DG934) tutorial.
The tutorial is given for information only on the understanding that you may cause damage to your router.

~ Can I use the sky router with another adsl service / ISP ?

Remember that the router remains the property of Sky, so they do have the right to request that you return the router to them. Their T+Cs suggest that if you cancel the service, then you must keep the router safe for up to 6 months during which time they can contact you to arrange return of the router.

However, whilst it is not recommended* - It is possible to use this router on another service, but to do so you need to Flash the sky firmware with standard Netgear firmware, as outlined above.

Please note that the following information only relates to the Sky Router v1 (Netgear DG834GT).

~ How do I obtain my adsl login details from the Netgear DG834GT?

Sky have hidden this information and also disabled the ability to access any core information about the router which could normally be obtained using telnet. By disabling telnet, there is no direct method to obtain detailed information about your line or connection that is normally available on a standard DG834GT - including detailed line stats and any any PPPoA authentication information which would tell you the login information.

However, after much research AsinineMonkey discovered a method where you can still get some information from the router using what's called the url injection method. (Basically a way of manipulating the web interface to access information from the in the underlying routers operating system which would normally be obtained via telnet). After a bit of trial and error he eventually found a page that would allow direct access to the routers operating system using url injection method to obtain the PPPoA information needed.

In the past I have directed people direct to AsinineMonkey's site, but several people have come back to me not sure exactly what information on that page they are looking for... so to simplify things*:-

You need to use the following url which creates a file that contains all your PPPoA details.
http://192.168.0.1/setup.cgi?todo=ping_test&c4_IPAddr=%26/bin/grep+ppoa_+/tmp/nvram+%3E+/www/netgear.cfg

To access this file go to http://192.168.0.1/netgear.cfg it should open in your web browser or it can be viewed in a text editor such as notepad.

Are there any "unofficial" Sky Netgear utilities?

Mossywell has produced a standalone tool that will run in your sys tray which will auto-reboot the router and monitor up-time etc.
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/technical-discussion/6402-new-monitor-tool-reboot-router-automatically.html

* Please note that I do not condone or advise breaching the T+C's of your sky contract. The above details are provided for information only. What you do with this information is entirely at your own risk and on the understanding that you could cause damage to the router.

Special thanks to AsinineMonkey (Jose Cardoso), Mossywell and Mognuts from the skyuser forums for all their hardwork and dedication to making this information available.