Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP

Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP

Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2024-09-19 10:55:38 - last edited 2024-09-19 10:56:45
Model: Deco S7  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version: 1.4.5 Build 20231128 Rel. 64440

Hello,

 

3 weeks ago I got an offer from Orange for FTT*. Optical converter, Orange Zyxel router (with wifi switched off) and Deco S7 unit are in the garden house as it was more convenient since the FTT is in our location on el.distribution poles. 

 

From the garden house it is around 20-30 metres to the next Deco S7, which is located upstairs window in typical large semi-detached house, with perfect visibility between Decos.

 

These two Decos create a network SSID "MC9". 

 

The house is large and so I have installed 2x WR840N, both as repeaters for MC9 network - one in left side of the house and one on the right side. Both these repeaters are there to provide Ethernet connection for Orange TV settopboxes. And also for indoors other clients (iphones, androids, laptops, nothing special).

 

There were big problems from the beginning. Unreliable connections, unable to connect, no IP assigning, TV issues. After trying like almost everything, it started working for 4-5 days. Until another iphone connected to the wifi and problems started again.

 

I am IT person, working as PHP,Mysql... web developer. I have also installed various wifi networks in difficult places in the past.

 

The only thing I have not yet tried is changing the DNS to 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 in the main Zyxel router for DHCP clients (the only DHCP client is Deco S7) , when I do this I will also switch off NAT and QoS in the Zyxel since Deco is doing all this. And maybe also lower the firewall settings in the Zyxel. But not sure if Deco is secured enough.

8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4 is set in the wifi settings for Decos clients.

 

I can put the list of everything I did, but it was nearly everything from assigning IP addresses, trying QoS settings, beamforming on/off, mesh on/off. Network optimization function is risky, since one time it assigned channel 1 and the signal lost but I was lucky to barely connect and run the function again to get channel 5.

 

I was really expecting this to be trouble free, since it is just a garden with few trees and house with visibility.

 

Dont let me down on this TPLINK!

 

 

File:
mc9.pngDownload
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#1
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8 Reply
Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2024-09-20 06:22:49

  @MatejX 

Hi, welcome to the community.

Have you tried to set Deco S7 into the Access Point mode and leave Zyxel as the only NAT/DHCP router?

How to set up Deco to work in Access Point mode

 

Did you use the same SSID-"MC9" on both 840Ns as Deco or separate SSIDs for each TL-WR840N?

Personally, I don't think it would be a good idea to set TL-WR840Ns wirelessly connected to the Deco S7. The wireless network is easily affected by nearby interference working on the same frequency. Moreover, TL-WR840N is 2.4 GHz only.

- if you need extra Mesh units, it would be much better if you could add 2 more Deco S7 units.

 

Have you tried to simplify the network topology, for example, leaving the Zyxel router and 2*Deco S7 only to test whether the pure Deco Mesh system could maintain a stable and decent connection?

 

Is there any chance that you could connect the TL-WR840N via Ethernet cable to the satellite Deco S7, and set 840N in "Access Point mode" to extend more wireless range elsewhere?

Thank you very much and best regards.

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#2
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2024-09-22 08:57:06 - last edited 2024-09-22 10:17:08

  @David-TP thanks for your reply.

 

I have changed/updated the network topology but still with difficulties. Now also figuring our with Orange if they can find out.

It was working like a charm, for 5 hours...

 

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#3
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2024-10-16 12:01:12 - last edited 2024-10-16 12:01:42

Still having difficulties. Now my question would be, isn't there anything TP-LINK would do about it?

My friend recently bought 3pack E4 or M4 - not sure. He is having very similar difficulties. Mainly with DHCP not assigning IPs.

I read somewhere here that there is 1.5.0 or even 1.5.1 Firmware. I currently have Deco S7 Firmware v.1.4.5 and no more updates available through the Android DECO application.

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#4
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2024-10-17 01:29:39

  @MatejX 

Hi, Thank you very much for the message.

I still hope you can remove TL-WR840N from the network and replace it with similar Deco units.

 

As for the 1.5.0/1.5.1 firmware of Deco S7_V1, you could find the download link here:

Deco S7 1.5.0 Supports Connection Preference, IOT Network, WPA3 and More

(The official 1.5.0 was pulled out from the official websites and 1.5.1 is the latest beta firmware for Deco S7_V1.)

Best regards.

 

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#5
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2024-10-17 07:03:04 - last edited 2024-10-17 07:03:34

  @David-TP hi David, still even without WR840, which is only used for TV, all the clients in this part of house are connected to the Deco mesh. Why was the 1.5.0 pulled out from the official support?

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#6
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
3 weeks ago

DAY 51...

Currently everything is set to 2.4Ghz only. Including Zyxel, where I was also able to set the channel width to 20Mhz.

Zyxel network is set to channel 1 and Deco was automatically optimalized to channel 6 which is spot on,

The only 5Ghz is I believe between the Deco units - which cannot be turned off or set in anyway.

It works OK for now, fingers crossed.

If this will work ok, I will leave this setup, although there is no way of enjoying 500Mbit/s offered by the provider.

Only thing I also added was a physical separation between deco and zyxel unit by adding L-shaped sheet of aluminium 0.5mm thick.

Deco is running 1.4.5 fw.

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#7
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
2 weeks ago - last edited 2 weeks ago

Day I dunno what

so both zyxel and deco stopped working. After restarting both, Zyxel started working ok but deco refused, even after 3 restarts. Then later it started and is operational.

So now I am going to try as there are 4 iPhones, which all private MAC address to OFF.

Orange is expecting my Zyxel to be returned and replaced by a new one. This will be the last option before trashing Deco units.

P.s. deco units were flashing and then with constant RED symbol.

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#8
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Re:Issues with wifi, connectivity, DHCP
a week ago

So after disabling Private (dynamic) MAC address in all of four iPhones, seems problems went away. My only explanation is as people were moving within the houses, they were connecting and disconnecting and doubled the MAC address/IP address assignation due to repeaters MAC address management, DECO and the Zyxel capacities. 

This is just an assumption. Will see.

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#9
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