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External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network

External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network

External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-06-23 00:00:05
Tags: #EasyMesh #DHCP
Model: Archer AX73  
Hardware Version: V2
Firmware Version: ax73v2_all-up-ver1-1-2-P1[20250210-rel53421]_1024_sign_2025-02-10_15.05.08

Hello Everyone,

 

I have an EasyMesh network with one AX73 as the main/controller router.  All satellites are AX55 units.  It works great.  The AX73 is setup traditionally with the internet connection connected to the WAN interface.

 

I want the GATEWAY and DHCP service to be and run on a different device.  That device is something like a CISCO ASA type of device.

 

I realize that the new device (let's call it a Wired Router) will need to be configured properly and DHCP on the AX73 will need to be disabled.

 

See the diagrams below.  I have diagram A setup.  I WANT to move to the configuration in diagram B.

 

In general I have two questions:

1) MUST the gateway for a TP-Link EasyMesh network be the Main/Controller router? 

2) MUST the DHCP service run for a TP-Link EasyMesh network run on the Main/Controller router?

 

Here's the diagrams:

 

EasyMesh Traditional & external gateway & dhcp

-- End of Diagrams --

 

Thanks,

Oskar42

-- Oskar42
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6 Reply
Re:External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-06-24 17:37:41

  @Oskar42 

 

Sounds like you are setting up pfsense, opnsense, or something like that. 

 

I have not used a MESH system, but would think it would need to be in bridge or Ap mode.

 

Google something like "does opnsense handle the dhcp for a mesh". 

 

 

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#2
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Re:External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-06-24 19:33:19 - last edited 2025-06-24 19:34:01

  @ArcherC8 

 

| ArcherC8 wrote:

|

|  Sounds like you are setting up pfsense, opnsense, or something like that. 

Yes, something like that. : )

 

|  I have not used a MESH system, but would think it would need to be in bridge or Ap mode. 

I have enjoyed setting up EasyMesh with TP-Link hardware.    With respect to bridge/AP

mode.  I assume, for most routers, if you:

  1. Ensure the LAN has an IP in the configured subnet for the LAN.
  2. Turn off dhcp service
  3. disconnect the WAN interface, ie nothing plugged into the WAN port

Then you basically have an AP.  

 

|  Google something like "does opnsense handle the dhcp for a mesh". 

I've been looking.  I could go to the EasyMesh specification but TP-Link is not obligated 

follow all aspects of the spec.  I've found posts or blurps at other forums that sound hopeful.

Would just like to hear someone say "yes" that will work.

I could just pull the trigger and make the switch.

 

Thanks for your reply.

I'll provide an update when something changes.

 

-- Oskar42
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#3
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Re:External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-06-25 13:30:51

  @Oskar42 

 

I started playing with opnsense a bit and never got to the point of switching the DHCP to it. Got to doing other things and I need to make time to get back to it. 

 

My network did not require MESH so I have not gone that direction. 

 

If you do get it to work, I would like to hear what worked and issues you may have hit. 

 

Nice thing about networking, is you can put it back if something does not work. 

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Re:External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-06-25 22:31:02 - last edited 2025-07-19 17:00:26

  @Oskar42 

 

You have to use a router that supports Easymesh in AP mode as a controller, like the models from this thread.

Unfortunatelly AX73 is not yet in this list, so you'll need at least one such device to set this up - AX73 can be used only as a sattelite device for now.

In fact, you can use one of the AX55s as a main AP controller and then use your AX73 and other AX55s as a satellites.

You Diagram B i like teh diagram in this post. Just make sure that your AX55s and AX73 are with the latest firmware releases.

Keep in mind that some unmanaged D-Link switches cause problems when using them with TP-Link ethernet backhaul.

If this was helpful click on the arrow pointing upward to make it blue. If this solves your issue, click the star to make it blue and mark the post as a "Recommended Solution".
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#5
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Re:External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-07-18 19:38:55

  @terziyski 

 

Thanks for the heads up. 

 

Nothing worked.  AX73 did not work  -  expected.

 

AX55 did not work.  I seem to remember a thread where someone had similar problems.

I fell back, using JBOR(Just a Bunch Of Routers) or more appropriately JBOAP...

 

I might come back to this at a later date.

 

Thanks again for the help,

Oskar

-- Oskar42
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#6
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Re:External DHCP server & gateway device for EasyMesh WiFi network
2025-07-25 07:01:33

@Oskar42 

 

terziyski should be correct. AX73 doesn't support EasyMesh when working in AP Mode, whereas the AX55 does. I don't understand why it is not working in your required diagram B.

 

I hope to hear from you soon, and we can figure out why.

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