Madison-Guy wrote

Seems to hardware version US 2.6?  Anyway, I just got these yesterday to replace my Linksys mesh system that was startying to get flaky.  My main question at this point is regarding the web interface (or admin console, if you will.)  It is there, but near totally useless - unless there is a menu I have not found?  (At least I can check for firmware updates, but not do anything like turing radios on or off or reserving DHCP addresses.)  The APP seems to allow me to do what I need, but I like web interfaces from PCs.  Is this possible with this system?  (I tried searching, but really didn't find a match.)

  @Madison-Guy 

Welcome to the club :-(

I've got the BE65 Deco's, same thing. Have to use the Deco App (how do people set these up without a compatible Phone?)

Web GUI is almost useless... very limited in what you can do.. Deco App does it all though.

  @IrvSp Thanks for the reply.  WHat I feared.  WHat are they odds they may enhance the web interface?  Less then zero?

  @Madison-Guy 

I doubt it. TP-Link seems to be driving every product to a phone install/nanage.

If they didn't, that code (HTML and execution code) would have to be in the rotuer firmware RAM. So some units might not fit the extra  code I suspect, and require more RAM. Besides, best to have ONE program for all units that can easily be updated if need be.

Sign of the times I guess. Heck, very few programs no come on a CD/DVD, all are downloads and the 'pruchased box' only has a license to add in once you D/L it and install.

Just bought this system, I never even thought I'd need to research "Does it have a usable web UI" for a $500 router before buying, but here we are. Maybe I was spoiled by ASUS but how does something like this get past QC at TP-Link? When you need to configure dozens of devices, who thinks to themselves "Gee, I'd love to do this on my phone!"? I can understand if it were an entry-level device geared for casual users who aren't going to tweak any settings, but again, this is a $500 device for people who know what they are doing.

  @klarth 

Might want to check ASUS as well... most vendors it seems are moving to phone installs/changes. Some have both Web GUI and phone, but the web GUI is limited.

I would think 'I do not have a phone' would be good enough to return it at any store, but check the box. Some have QR Codes on the box that might be a hint as well.

  @Madison-Guy I would vehemently disagree with that. I am coming from an Asus Zenwifi XT8 and it has both a robust web and mobile interface, and it's a relatively new product. For prosumer level devices the standard should be higher when it comes to meticulously signing IP/MAC addresses and configuring VPN services. The hardware is adequate so far which is the only reason I'm keeping it (it was also reasonably priced on Prime Days), but I'm just pointing this out for TP Link developers as a significant shortcoming.

  @Madison-Guy 

I would doubt that. Would require a larger F/W upload, and the available RAM would mean taking out some things, like the Security part that is a money maker.

  @IrvSp If it's unlikely that they would try to improve something that's pretty clearly lacking, that's fine. I'm ok with just putting the information out there and letting consumers decide. I wish I had known this information in advance, though.

  @HelpFixDecoApp I considered this but I already spent the time to wire my home on the assumption I'd have three nodes using wired backhaul. The investment for 3x of the Archer is just a bit much.

Though it's interesting, the Archer BE550 has 2.2ghz processor, 512mb RAM, whereas the Deco BE63 has 1.5ghz processor and 1gb RAM, so pretty similar specs, yet this

IrvSp expert earlier in the thread seems to think it's just "too hard" for TP link designers to have a usable web interface for the device because "not enough RAM"? Give me a break.