To get more control over what the modem/router ahead of the MX actually does, I have ordered a Draytek 2862-K. It handles IPv4 and IPv6 natively, and has a lot of flexibility with how NAT'ing is handled, a RADIUS server, and, at a price, there is a version with an inbuilt LTE modem. Be aware that Meraki does not fully hanle IPv6 yet; for example, some analytics will be missing.
I need this because the MX does not pass Source Specific Multicast correctly, and the Draytek does. But the MS switch in its default configuration does handle it, so I can just bypass the MX from the router to the switch and thence to the Playout device.
I have replaced my entire network stack three times this year. All the suppliers are well known Bay Area Corporations. It seems they just don't "get" how important it is to handle the TV feeds from the content providers. So instead of switching yet again, I've looked for ways around problems.
@uberseehandel
Hi
You will find helpful information here - https://www.draytek.co.uk/support/guides/sky-mer-setup-guide
I have different problems with BT TV Sport, which uses a form of multicast that is not currently handled by MX devices. My solution is to put a Router ahead of the MX and have the TV multicast connection bypass the MX. The MS switch does handle everything correctly.
There are cheaper solutions from the likes of Billion and Asus, but this one offers a lot of flexibity as far as NATing goes, IPv6 etc. and there is an option to have a LTE modem built in, for failover.
@uberseehandel
Once you have the 857 running in pass through mode, I am sure you will have no difficulty configuring the MXto act as the router/security gateway.
I have run the MX using PPPoE/PPPoA with a modem in bridge mode and also connecting the WAN port on the MX to a LAN port on a different brand security device, that was routed straight out the WAN port. Both ways work fine.
Re Sky -
- The UK ISP Sky utilises Mac Encapsulated Routing (or MER) for its "Sky Fibre Broadband" (FTTC) VDSL2 Internet service and some "Sky Broadband" ADSL services – this uses details that would normally be supplied by the Sky router; which are included in DHCP requests from the router, to authenticate with the network and receive an IP address.
- According to users, these details also work for Now TV (Broadband).
These details are usually specific to the router supplied by Sky but it is possible to use another router with the Sky MER service if that router is able to provide DHCP option 60 and option 61 when making DHCP requests to the ISP. - This configuration does not require cloning the MAC address of the ISP router, which allows the DrayTek router to get its own DHCP IP lease and renew that without issue.
@uberseehandel
