Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?

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Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
2023-01-03 13:04:34 - last edited 2023-01-05 07:32:27
Model: Archer C64  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.12.0 Build 221010 Rel. 35508n(4555)

I currently have three C64 (A1200) routers acting as EP's with identical SSID to extend my network through my home. My (newbie) question is if there is an advantage to replacing this with a mesh solution which is available through the firmware? If so, how do I do it - just factory reset them all and add one by one? Not sure how the mesh setup works.

 

Thanks for any guidance

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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?-Solution
2023-01-03 13:25:12 - last edited 2023-01-05 07:32:27

  @CJC71 

 

You could update C64s with the early FW release for EasyMesh feature - check this post - in 'related articles' you can find details on how this works and how to configure.

With this FW you can benefit form the mesh features.

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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?-Solution
2023-01-03 13:25:12 - last edited 2023-01-05 07:32:27

  @CJC71 

 

You could update C64s with the early FW release for EasyMesh feature - check this post - in 'related articles' you can find details on how this works and how to configure.

With this FW you can benefit form the mesh features.

If this was helpful click once on the arrow pointing upward. If this solves your issue, click once the star to mark it as a "Recommended Solution".
Recommended Solution
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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
2023-01-03 14:04:52
Thanks Terziyski! I should have mentioned that the 3 EP's are all ethernet connected through a TP-Link TL-SG1005D network switch, so: Virgin Router/ethernet/TL-SG1005D Network Switch/ethernet x 3/EP x 3 C64 Some of the details suggest it does not support ethernet connected devices?
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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
2023-01-03 14:32:55 - last edited 2023-01-03 14:50:17

  @CJC71 

 

Look at the first paragraph of the post:

"We are now offering you a chance to experience the early release version of firmware for Archer C80V1/Archer C64V1/Archer A8V1, which has optimized the EasyMesh features and added support for Ethernet Backhaul. You can now connect two or more EasyMesh devices together by wiring the satellite device to the main EasyMesh router."

If your concern is that all  C64s are working in AP mode, this is also planned for implementing as part of EasyMesh.

You could try the manual AP mode - C64 in router mode with DHCP turned OFF, and connect its uplink to one of its LAN ports (not the WAN port) - see this thread for details.

I believe this should work even if the C64s are connected via TL-SG1005D.

If for some reason they don't as it is stated in the same post:

"You can downgrade to the previous 1.12.0 official version if necessary." - that's your current FW version.

So you got nothing to loose, but to gain from trying this opportunity - it's your decision.

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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
2023-01-03 14:51:39
@terziyski  apologies, I think I went down a bit of a rabbit hole! Thanks again
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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
2023-01-04 12:24:51

  @terziyski

 

Apologies for more questions but can you advise if all 3 C64's have to be in 'router mode' with DHCP turned off or main router only?

 

 

The current network is:

 

Virgin Router > ethernet > TL-SG1005D WAN > TL-SG1005D LAN > ethernet x 3 > C64 WAN x 3

 

Do I now go:

 

Virgin Router > ethernet > C64 Main Router WAN > C64 Main Router LAN > TL-SG1005D WAN > TL-SG1005D LAN > ethernet x 2 > C64 Satellite WAN x 2

 

(or is it possible to make the Virgin Router the Main Router and stick with current network?

 

Thanks

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Re:Should I switch three C64 EP's to mesh?
2023-01-04 21:07:45 - last edited 2023-01-04 21:11:10

CJC71 wrote

  @terziyski

 

Apologies for more questions but can you advise if all 3 C64's have to be in 'router mode' with DHCP turned off or main router only?

Keep your Virgin Router current configuration, all 3xC64 should be in 'router mode' with DHCP server OFF (that's what we call manual AP mode).

Manual AP mode is used because EasyMesh is not yet availabe in AP mode.

 

The current network is:

 

Virgin Router > ethernet > TL-SG1005D WAN > TL-SG1005D LAN > ethernet x 3 > C64 WAN x 3

 

Do I now go:

 

Virgin Router > ethernet > C64 Main Router WAN > C64 Main Router LAN > TL-SG1005D WAN > TL-SG1005D LAN > ethernet x 2 > C64 Satellite WAN x 2

 

(or is it possible to make the Virgin Router the Main Router and stick with current network?

Keep your current topology, but use the C64s LAN1 port insted of WAN, i.e.:

Virgin Router > ethernet > TL-SG1005D WAN > TL-SG1005D LAN > ethernet x 3 > C64 LAN1 x 3 (1x main and 2x sattelite)

 

Thanks

  @CJC71 

 

Check my responses inline in bold.

 

Virgin Router > ethernet > C64 Main Router WAN > C64 Main Router LAN > TL-SG1005D WAN > TL-SG1005D LAN > ethernet x 2 > C64 Satellite WAN x 2

should be possible as well, but with this topology your Virgin Router shoud be in 'bridge mode' to avoid the double NAT introduced by the C64 Main router.

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