Help - Which Deco is right for me?
Hi,
I just purchsed 'TP-Link Deco S7 AC1900 Whole Mesh Wi-Fi System, pack of 3' from Amazon and have them set up but I'm not sure if they are right for me.
For context my set up is;
3 story old victorian, grade 2 listed house
BT Home Home 2, FTTP - Spead to house 900mbs, speed to Device averages max 600mbs
FTTP Entry point is ground level, right side of the house so not central location.
I'm new to home networking and the mesh set up, purchased the S7 after doing some research but not aren't sure if they are 100% right for what I want to achieve. I've set up the main S7 as a AP, ethernet conected to Home Hub 2 (wireless disabled) and it's working perfectly, have already seen improvement to coverage on the ground level.
My concern is as I go up through the house. I can't hardwire anywhere, so need to rely on wireless - ideally I want a Deco/mesh system that I can daisy chain, so the very top floor is boosting a signal from the middle floor (top floor is not used often, just 2 guest bedrooms but still want some coverage of circa 100mbs available there so guests can netflix and stream up there).
So far, I can't see daisy chain or reconfiguring the connection source for each Deco in the app. The top floor deco is connected (weakly) to the main deco on the ground floor).
Is the S7 right for me or is there a better Deco system that I should invest in where daisy chaining/configuring deco connection source is possible?
Thanks - apprecaite all and any tips. Complete newbie here!
Firmware 1.4.* does not have Connection Preference feature, it comes with 1.6. It is not guaranteed firmware 1.6 will be released for Deco S7.
Powerline adapters are the last resort for wired link. Let's discuss better solution, using TV cables for Ethernet, first.
Technology to pass Ethernet over coaxial cable is called MoCA. It uses MoCA adapters. Here is general concept and you can google for more detailed info:
I am using at my home "ScreenBeam Bonded MoCA 2.0 Network Adapter for High Speed Internet, Ethernet Over Coax - Starter Kit (Model: ECB6200K02)" - check these on Amazon, to see how MoCA adapters look and check manufacturer description there for helpful info.
I am assuming you have TV cable(s) that terminate near Main Deco and BT Home Hub 2, and these cable(s) go from there to different floors.
Here are two options for you to choose from:
1. The budget option.
You place Main Deco on middle floor. Using pair of MoCA adapters you link Main Deco to BT Home Hub 2 over TV cable. You now have Main Deco in the middle of the house, and both Satellite Deco, from ground floor and from top floor, connect to Main Deco.
2. The Ethernet all over the house.
If you like that technology (and it is rock solid), see its potential and want to hardwire all your house with gigabit Ethernet wherever TV cables terminate, the deployment is different from the first option.
You keep Main Deco on ground floor. Have MoCa adapter connect to Main Deco. Bring MoCA adapters to middle and top floors. There, connect them to TV cables coming from the ground floor. You'll need TV cable splitter on the ground floor, obviously, as you send signal to two above floors, but it is standard coaxial cable splitter, just get one that looks well built.
Connect Satellite Decos on middle and top floors to MoCA adapters. Satellite Deco will establish Ethernet link to Main Deco and provide same WiFi speeds as Main Deco.
With this option you start with three MoCA adapters, and you can add more if you want gigabit Ethernet in other places of your house, where there is TV cable outlet. For example, you may wish to hardwire file server or primary desktop PC from middle/top floor, that is away from Satellite Deco but near TV cable outlet, for guaranteed gigabit speed Ethernet link.
--------------------------
For both options I would suggest MoCA adapters that are compatible with Deco Ethernet backhaul. The model I listed above, the one I use, is. "Starter kit" comes with pair of adapters, and this is usually cheaper than to buy two separate units.
If you can't find this exact MoCA adapter brand and model in your region, here is what you should look for:
1. Adapter must support MoCA 2.0 or better (2.5 is newer, but more expensive).
2. Adapter must have gigabit Ethernet port and provide gigabit speed. I've seen MoCA adapters sold dirt cheap, but they only deliver 100Mbps.
3. For Option 1 support of Deco Ethernet backhaul is not required, but if you plan to go with (or expand to) Option 2, you may need to test with adapters you buy if they support Deco Ethernet backhaul. This is easy test: after you connect Satellite Deco to MoCA adapter, if Satellite Deco reports Ethernet backhaul - all is good. If it stays connected through WiFi to Main Deco, MoCA adapter is not Deco compatible.
---------------------------
Final thoughts: even if you decide to replace S7 with different Deco model, now or later, MoCA adapters will stay and provide your house with wired gigabit Ethernet. It is investment that worth to consider independently from WiFi mesh.
By default, Satellite Deco will try connecting to Main Deco, even if signal is weak. Many new Deco models have configuration settings that allow to overwrite it and daisy chain, but some do not. The feature is documented here and its availability depends on firmware version: How to select a preferred signal source on the Deco App
If you please check Deco S7 firmware version for me, I'll be able to tell. You can find it under Update Deco, example:
In this example Deco M5 has firmware 1.7.3 and Deco M9 Plus has firmware 1.6.2.
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One more thing: even if you can't bring Ethernet cable between floors, there are other wiring options to consider. Do you, by any chance, have TV (coaxial) cable between floors, ideally no longer in use?
Also, Deco S7 can connect through powerline adapters, if electric wiring is good you may be able to reach 100Mbps speeds over it, and you will only need a pair of powerline adapters.
If these options don't work for you and S7 does not have connection preference feature, I can recommend different Deco model(s).
@Alexandre. Thanks so much for the response.
Firmware is showing as the screenshot above!
Yes, we do have some unused TV coaxial points. How could they be utilised? Happy to hear more about powerline adapters too. Optimistic that there's options!
thanks so much!
Firmware 1.4.* does not have Connection Preference feature, it comes with 1.6. It is not guaranteed firmware 1.6 will be released for Deco S7.
Powerline adapters are the last resort for wired link. Let's discuss better solution, using TV cables for Ethernet, first.
Technology to pass Ethernet over coaxial cable is called MoCA. It uses MoCA adapters. Here is general concept and you can google for more detailed info:
I am using at my home "ScreenBeam Bonded MoCA 2.0 Network Adapter for High Speed Internet, Ethernet Over Coax - Starter Kit (Model: ECB6200K02)" - check these on Amazon, to see how MoCA adapters look and check manufacturer description there for helpful info.
I am assuming you have TV cable(s) that terminate near Main Deco and BT Home Hub 2, and these cable(s) go from there to different floors.
Here are two options for you to choose from:
1. The budget option.
You place Main Deco on middle floor. Using pair of MoCA adapters you link Main Deco to BT Home Hub 2 over TV cable. You now have Main Deco in the middle of the house, and both Satellite Deco, from ground floor and from top floor, connect to Main Deco.
2. The Ethernet all over the house.
If you like that technology (and it is rock solid), see its potential and want to hardwire all your house with gigabit Ethernet wherever TV cables terminate, the deployment is different from the first option.
You keep Main Deco on ground floor. Have MoCa adapter connect to Main Deco. Bring MoCA adapters to middle and top floors. There, connect them to TV cables coming from the ground floor. You'll need TV cable splitter on the ground floor, obviously, as you send signal to two above floors, but it is standard coaxial cable splitter, just get one that looks well built.
Connect Satellite Decos on middle and top floors to MoCA adapters. Satellite Deco will establish Ethernet link to Main Deco and provide same WiFi speeds as Main Deco.
With this option you start with three MoCA adapters, and you can add more if you want gigabit Ethernet in other places of your house, where there is TV cable outlet. For example, you may wish to hardwire file server or primary desktop PC from middle/top floor, that is away from Satellite Deco but near TV cable outlet, for guaranteed gigabit speed Ethernet link.
--------------------------
For both options I would suggest MoCA adapters that are compatible with Deco Ethernet backhaul. The model I listed above, the one I use, is. "Starter kit" comes with pair of adapters, and this is usually cheaper than to buy two separate units.
If you can't find this exact MoCA adapter brand and model in your region, here is what you should look for:
1. Adapter must support MoCA 2.0 or better (2.5 is newer, but more expensive).
2. Adapter must have gigabit Ethernet port and provide gigabit speed. I've seen MoCA adapters sold dirt cheap, but they only deliver 100Mbps.
3. For Option 1 support of Deco Ethernet backhaul is not required, but if you plan to go with (or expand to) Option 2, you may need to test with adapters you buy if they support Deco Ethernet backhaul. This is easy test: after you connect Satellite Deco to MoCA adapter, if Satellite Deco reports Ethernet backhaul - all is good. If it stays connected through WiFi to Main Deco, MoCA adapter is not Deco compatible.
---------------------------
Final thoughts: even if you decide to replace S7 with different Deco model, now or later, MoCA adapters will stay and provide your house with wired gigabit Ethernet. It is investment that worth to consider independently from WiFi mesh.