Deco X55 and Community Fibre router Linksys MX5600 set up
Hi, I have just changed ISP to Community Fibre in the UK and am on their standard 1gig package. The router is a Linksys MX5600. They offer a premium wifi service using additional Linksys nodes. I did not take this as the service is expensive. I bought a 3 pack of Deco X55 nodes as an alternative to improve my wifi coverage.
I want to check if I have the correct set up:
1: Linksys main router is set up with wifi off. (ground floor)
2: Deco node 1 connected by ethernet to Linksys router. In AP mode.
3: Deco nodes 2 (first floor) and 3 (second floor) connected wirelessly to router. Both in AP mode.
The wifi coverage overall is decent (from 800mb close to router, 400 on second floor, then drops to 150mb at the top of house (loft coversion)). I am happy with this.
However, my problem is that I have several Google devices that keep dropping off the network (Google minis and Nest Hubs) and need to be frequently reset to reconnect, They are forced to use the 2,4Ghz network in the Deco app (on a separate IOT SSID).
Do I have some sort of conflict/are there two networks in operation. I have considered putting the main Linksys router in bridge mode as that should mean the Decos act as router, no? I also have the potential issue that the Linksys router and the Deco nodes have differeent SSIDs. I am considering giving everything the same SSID as the router but if the wifi is turned off anyway, that shouldn't be a problem? I really like the Deco app (although there are no parental controls available in AP mode) and want to keep these nodes but might have to go with the Linksys ones.
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Rob
Hi Marvin, thank you for your reply.
The Google (and other devices Kasa plugs/bulbs/Tapo plugs/power strips) are located in various places across my house. It's over three floors about 80m2. Each of my three Decos have some devices connected to them. The devices have been set up on an IOT network and I have forced them to connnect to the 2.4 Ghz network only. I thought the connection would be stroner particularly in the upstairs bedroom (there is a Deco in there but the signal strength is only medium). The devices are still dropping off when connected to 2.4 Ghz. I tried to reset a Google mini last night and it couldn't find a wireless network even though it was right next to a Deco node. Maybe this is my first mistake? Should I put them onto the main (none IOT) network and allow them to auto select which band?
For your second question, I think the Linksys is a main wireless router. This router is then connected to an ONT, which I tihnk is the modem, then connected to the fibre line. Based on that situation, I don't know the answer to your question! Can I plug the first Deco into the ONT and replace the Linksys router (but that sounds pretty complicated in terms of what settings would I need) or if the Linksys is a modem router (I don't know - it is attached to a modem so maybe it is?) then the second option could be possible. This would be preferable as I would like to keep the advanced features of the Deco and control those on the app. As I mentioned, I have lots of Kasa and Tapo devices and I believe this is all part of the same family so it makes sense to use the Decos, I think.
There is the alternative where I remove the Decos and buy Linksys child nodes for the wireless coverage but I would prefer not to. I like the Tp Link ecosystem.
Here are three screenshots, which I hope can give more information. One is of the main network and then the clients on it. The "Other" clients are the smart devices like the Google minis/Google Nest hubs/Kasa plus, bulbs/Tapo smart plugs, etc. I connect to them over the Deco_CB18_IoT network, not the main Dec0_CB18 one. The Google TV is an outlier on the 5Gz network.
Sorry for the layout of these screenshots but I hope they help! The other factor is that maybe the Google devices are just useless? I have a ticket with them asking about whether they should be connected to 2.4, 5 Ghz networks or both,
Thank you
Rob
