Main Deco selection?

Main Deco selection?

Main Deco selection?
Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago - last edited 2 weeks ago

 

im thinking of upgrading my main deco M5 to x series 

There are couple option x10/20/50, is there any recomendation regarding this? I connect all my deco through ethernet with switch tp link 16 port gigabit

 

consideration : my current m5 main deco feels hot, i placed it on the open space but still got some heat when i tried to touch it. 

 

considering upgrade the main with x series , any thought about this? 

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#1
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1 Accepted Solution
Re:Main Deco selection?-Solution
3 weeks ago - last edited 2 weeks ago

  @Andrewdj 

 

Thanks. Based on Internet description, "huawei echolife EG8145V5" is modem/router. It should have four yellow Ethernet ports. Ethernet cable from Main Deco is plugged to one of these yellow Ethernet ports.

 

If this is correct, please do the following test for me: unplug that Ethernet cable (which connects Main Deco to modem/router) from EG8145V5 yellow Ethernet port and plug that cable to different EG8145V5 yellow Ethernet port. For example, if cable is plugged to Port 1, plug it to Port 2 instead.

 

Check if you have Internet access through Deco after that. You can also run "Test Internet Speed" from Deco app. If everything works, next steps I'll share will be how to improve your Deco mesh by making changes in it to reduce load on Main Deco. This should address "Main Deco is too hot" and resulting from it Deco mesh performance issues.

 

If you don't have Internet access, power off Main Deco, power it on and check again. If you still don't have Internet access, restore your original configuration (plug Ethernet cable to its EG8145V5 port it was before tests).

 

Let me know the outcome.

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#6
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Andrewdj 

 

Based on Deco map, you have M5 and also some other Deco model: is it M4?

 

Also, do you have ISP router in front of Main Deco or just modem?

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#2
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Alexandre. 
its deco E4

All the deco connected through switch router gigabyte

 

and also the isp modem connected to the main deco

 

im wondering should i connect the isp modem to main deco or to the switch hub?

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#3
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Andrewdj 

 

Please give me ISP modem brand and model number. That will help me to figure what you have. 

 

Connecting switch to ISP modem and all Deco to switch will substantially offload Main Deco, but your ISP modem must provide router functionality and some configuration must be done on Deco mesh.

 

That's why I need to find what ISP modem you have. 

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#4
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Alexandre. 
it is standart from the isp

i checked the back of the modem 

 

huawei echolife EG8145V5

GPON Terminal

 

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#5
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Re:Main Deco selection?-Solution
3 weeks ago - last edited 2 weeks ago

  @Andrewdj 

 

Thanks. Based on Internet description, "huawei echolife EG8145V5" is modem/router. It should have four yellow Ethernet ports. Ethernet cable from Main Deco is plugged to one of these yellow Ethernet ports.

 

If this is correct, please do the following test for me: unplug that Ethernet cable (which connects Main Deco to modem/router) from EG8145V5 yellow Ethernet port and plug that cable to different EG8145V5 yellow Ethernet port. For example, if cable is plugged to Port 1, plug it to Port 2 instead.

 

Check if you have Internet access through Deco after that. You can also run "Test Internet Speed" from Deco app. If everything works, next steps I'll share will be how to improve your Deco mesh by making changes in it to reduce load on Main Deco. This should address "Main Deco is too hot" and resulting from it Deco mesh performance issues.

 

If you don't have Internet access, power off Main Deco, power it on and check again. If you still don't have Internet access, restore your original configuration (plug Ethernet cable to its EG8145V5 port it was before tests).

 

Let me know the outcome.

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#6
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Alexandre. 
I tried slot 4 originally and also slot 3 and 2 all works fine. the internet speed test come with same result

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#7
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Andrewdj 

 

That means your ISP modem/router is configured as router. That functionality can be offloaded from Main Deco.

 

Here are two steps you can do to improve Deco mesh performance:

 

1. Configure Deco mesh to run in Access Point mode.

 

No network layout changes are necessary for that, it should be simple configuration change through Deco app. See Switching a Deco to Access Point (AP) Mode

Most devices on your home network should take that change seamlessly. If any loses Internet access, give it 5 minutes and then reboot it. Should be enough.

 

After everything settled down, you can proceed with next step.

 

2. Change network layout to remove Main Deco from traffic between switch and ISP modem.

 

With Deco mesh running in Access Point mode, you don't need Main Deco handling all wired traffic. You can redo your network layout to become as following:

 

 

 

---------------

 

These are steps I recommend for anyone who wants to improve performance of their Deco mesh. If these are not enough, for example you want faster WiFi than what M5 and E4 can deliver, I can help with choosing Deco model(s) to replace them. Still, I will recommend to keep both Access Mode and network layout with network switch connected directly to ISP modem.

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#8
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Alexandre. 
i did step 1 and step 2

then how do i change/remove the selection of main deco in the apps?

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#9
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago - last edited 3 weeks ago

Andrewdj wrote

  @Alexandre. 
i did step 1 and step 2

then how do i change/remove the selection of main deco in the apps?

  @Andrewdj 

 

You now have Deco mesh that should work better than before, Main Deco M5 should be colder on touch.

 

Your question, I am not sure I understand it. What do you try to accomplish? Do you have error message in Deco app about Main Deco?

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#10
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Re:Main Deco selection?
3 weeks ago

  @Andrewdj i had a similar query here

https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/705150

 

Unfortunately it seemed hard to come to a concrete answer. What I will say is in terms of range, don't expect big differences between Decos. Some "better" models are actually even worse than the cheaper ones. I think the X10 was slightly better than my M5, but I don't know if my X10 was faulty or what but it was just slow to use the app with and slow to reboot. 

 

I'm not sure between the X20/X50 and X60. When I look at the forum, it seems like the X50 has the best software support and features. The X60 is a bit behind, don't know on the X20. The X10 I can't complain about but it doesn't feel like a big improvement from my M5 other than WiFi 6.

 

I think if your devices are all currently fine with WiFi you would find the same regardless of which Deco you upgraded to, the differences aren't that big. You'd only gain WiFi 6 support and it's up to you if that's worth it. Some of the features in the X series also aren't even available unless all your Decos in the network are the same. I can't enable Mu-Mimo or OFDMA for example even when my X10 is the main because there are M5's on my network. 

 

Also your M5 comes with Homecare which gives you monthly reports and parental controls for free. If you upgrade to the X series and replace your main, many of them use Homeshield where you will have to pay a subscription for the same features. 

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#11
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