Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More

Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More

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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
3 weeks ago

  @rgaryc yes! This is exactly it. Honestly feels like it would be easy to get a lawyer to rep a class action. I mean really though all I wanted was for them to allow me to swap out the v1.26 I was unknowingly cursed with for a fully functioning and supported v1 or v1.6 but now I'm just bitter and make it a point to steer anyone who will listen to me away from this company. 

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#56
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
3 weeks ago

  @T6457 I would definitely would join a class action if that happened.

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#57
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago - last edited 2 weeks ago

I just bought a 3-pack of X55 and it turns out they are hardware version 1.26.  Has  tp-link indicated if they will be providing firmware updates (based on 1.11)?

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#58
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @castlepiner 

 

What we need to make clear is that just because one hardware version gets a feature added or an update applied does not always mean other hardware versions will get it. Even with Deco, where the features tend to be more shared across models, some features just cannot be added to specific hardware versions because of limitations within that hardware.   This is a common occurrence with traditional routers as they are more of a closed system than Mesh is.  

 

Additionally, when a feature is added to or can be added to multiple products in a category, Stability has to be tested on each model or hardware version receiving that feature prior to it being released.  Products that share chipsets or chipsets in the same family will likely receive the update at the same time.  This is why it may appear that several models get the update at once, but other products, even in the same model family, do not.  Case in point: the Deco X55 V1 and V1.6 are getting the update in question here, while the V1.2 and V1.26 did not yet.  V1 and V1.6 are the same hardware.  The difference is what plant they are manufactured in.  The .6 is the indicator of the facility, not a change in hardware.   The V1.2 and V1.26 are different hardware.   

 

Lastly,  TP-Link support often does not get timetables for firmware releases.  Even if we did we would likely not share them.  Why, you may ask.  Because we do not want to make promises, we cannot deliver on.  Often, timetables are loosely based and work on the assumption that nothing will go wrong during testing.  If something goes wrong, then the push is delayed.  If we were to promise an update would be on the XX date and it isn't, that would look terrible and lead to very valid complaints.  So, in most cases, we can only say Updates are published weekly, and we recommend checking regularly to see if an update becomes available.  

 

That explains why some of you feel we have abandoned your product or are ignoring your concerns.  It's not the case at all but it is just not something we can address yet, because we do not have any information available or because we have already provided the answer we do have in the thread, and we do not want to get into the habit of sounding like a parrot and saying the same thing over and over. 

 

I hope this helps better explain situations like this.   Now the good news.  Engineering has informed me that as long as everything goes according to plan, the update you are eagerly awaiting will be launched in the US within the next 2 weeks.  It's probably closer to the end of that Two-week period.  If you have not seen an update after 2-weeks  Tag me in a reply and I will inquire further on an update. 

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#59
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @Carl 

Thank your for your detailed response. From an engineering perspective, you are absolutely correct. Different hardware version may or may not support all of the enhancements and features and the timeline may be different. Depending on the available resources and priorities, different versions may get features earlier than others. That is understandable.

 

However, what I object to is the "marketing" of these products. For example, the Deco X55 has several different hardware versions. These versions may or may not receive fixes and new features based on internal priorities and resources. The customer has NO way of knowing which hardware version they are getting until they receive it. Yes, they may all be the same "base" model the X55, but the support life can be very different depending on the actual hardware version you get. If the hardware versions are different, then the product needs to be labeled differently. For example, Deco X55 ver xx or Deco X55 model A, etc. The consumer then needs to be able to look up the product and model/ver on the TP-LINK support site and see exactly what firmware updates exist and the support life - BEFORE the product is purchased.

 

Once again, I support the need for engineering to work fixes and enhancement on their own schedule. But the customer also needs to know what exact product they are buying, including the hardware version.

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#60
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @thebiker 

 

This. 100%

 

It is exactly the prediciment I am in. I have a 3 unit X55 (v1.6) mesh in my home I bought last year. When I decided to buy a 4th unit I was sent the 1.26 version.  I had no way to know what I was going to get and that they would not be 100% equivelent units.

 

My number one feature need is reliable wi-fi for a lot of divices in my home. Fingers crossed that nothing in the disparate firmware versions and feature sets interfeers with that.

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#61
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @Tsull8 @thebiker 

 

I definitely understand that.  The problem is that we don't know what version you are going to get either.  Like many manufacturers, our retailers maintain their own inventory.  We have no way of knowing what hardware version a customer will receive because we don't know what the retailer still has in inventory.  In the case of the Deco X55, V1.26 is a newer version than the V1.0/V1.6.  So it would be very common that the newer order would be the newer version.  But, again, that depends on the retailers and what they have left in inventory.  The common rule of thumb should be first in first out. I just can't guarantee that will always be the case.  

 

For our part, the best we can do is make sure our product and support pages are fully updated and customers have the ability to change between hardware versions to see what is available depending on that hardware version.  In very rare cases, support might be able to help swap the unit in question for the desired version, but the logistics of such an action must be perfect.  Inventory, approvals, and regional warranty policies must allow such interventions.  Also, in many of these cases, because the process is through warranty, the replacement/exchanged device would be refurbished, not new, which is why it's not offered very often.  

 

Unfortunately, in terms of marketing, as it is related to what models a customer will receive when ordered, we simply have no control or say on that. If customer inventory was locally controlled it would be different. 

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#62
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @Carl I understand that when you say "we" do not have control over what hardware goes in each box. But you are only including the TP-LINK Support and Engineering arms of TP-LINK, not the full corporation of TP-LINK. There are parts of TP-LINK who Do have control over this issue - probably MARKETING, but some part of the distribution chain. What I'm saying is that TP-LINK needs to improve their marketing and distribution of products to label their products to indicate the hardware version when that version can make a difference in the features and perforance of the product.

 

I understand that your only the support arm of this product, but hopefully, you have a way to provide feedback to other parts of the company other than just engineering.

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#63
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @T6457 

When purchasing the product, it was described as having a set of capabilities.

What is not functioning?  Are you missing some of the advertised capabilities?

 

I am surprised that some are taking for granted that a purchased product will be continuously enhanced with new capabilities.

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#64
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Re:Deco Firmware 1.11.0 Feature Introduction: VPNs, Bandwidth Limit, and More
2 weeks ago

  @yves_b 

 

You're missing the point completely, TP-Link shouldn't make different hardware versions of the same exact product and then keep supporting only 1-2 of them and leave the other versions unsupported for months & years on end.

 

you can't pick and choose which hardware version you're receiving either, so you're taking a shot in the dark if you're going to receive basic firmware updates with your said hardware version or not.

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#65
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