Why Do My Wired Deco Nodes Appear as Wireless in the Deco App?

If your Deco network is connected by Ethernet but satellite nodes still appear to be using Wi‑Fi backhaul, the switch between your Deco units may be the cause.

The Ethernet Backhaul feature of Deco systems uses a networking standard to detect wired backhaul paths and maintain an accurate network topology in the Deco app. Some Ethernet switches may not fully support this standard, and when these detections are interrupted, the Ethernet backhaul may not work, or the network may become unstable. The standard in this case is known as IEEE 1905.1.

 

What Is IEEE 1905.1?

 

IEEE 1905.1 is a Networking Standard that helps network devices (including Deco units) communicate and share connection information with each other.

While serving many purposes in Networking, IEEE 1905.1 also helps Deco with:

• Discovering Neighboring Mesh Nodes
• Exchanging Topology Information
• Detecting Ethernet Backhaul Connections
• Coordinating Mesh Operation and Path Selection

 

ⓘ IEEE 1905.1 does not carry your normal internet traffic. Instead, it handles certain details regarding the control and management of devices connected to your network, which, among other benefits, helps Deco Mesh systems operate correctly.

What Happens When a Switch Doesn't Forward IEEE 1905.1 Traffic?

In some cases, a switch may continue to pass normal network traffic while filtering or blocking IEEE 1905.1 information. This can create a confusing situation where:

• Devices still have Internet Access
• Ethernet Link Lights Remain Active
• The Physical Ethernet Connection Appears Healthy

 

However, the Deco units may be unable to exchange the mesh-control information needed to establish a reliable wired backhaul connection. As a result, Deco may be unable to confirm the wired path between nodes, causing the mesh to fall back to wireless communication or display incorrect topology information.

Differences in Deco Ethernet Backhaul behavior on a network with an IEEE 1905.1 Compatible Switch vs. an IEEE 1905.1 Incompatible Switch:

 

Traffic Flow with a Compatible Switch	Traffic Flow Without IEEE 1905.1 Compatibility
Main Deco ────► Switch ────► Satellite Deco │                                                     ▲ └── IEEE 1905.1 ──────────┘ └══ User Traffic ═══════════┘   Result: Ethernet Backhaul ✓	Main Deco ────► Switch ────► Satellite Deco │ ├── IEEE 1905.1 ── X Blocked └══ User Traffic ═════════►   Result: Internet Works ✓ | Ethernet Backhaul ✖

 

Strong Indicators of a Compatibility Problem

If nodes connected to the switch via Ethernet still have Internet access but report Wireless Backhaul in the Deco App, the backhaul becomes unstable, and bypassing the switch immediately restores proper Ethernet Backhaul Operation. 
 

You may be experiencing a switch compatibility issue if you notice one or more of the following:

• Wired Deco Nodes show as Wireless in the Deco app
• Backhaul changes between Wired and Wireless
• Satellite Decos Disconnect and Reconnect
• Incorrect Topology in the Deco app
• Ethernet Backhaul fails when a specific switch is used

Additional symptoms may include:

• Reduced performance due to wireless backhaul fallback
• Unstable roaming between Deco units

 

Troubleshooting Steps

If you suspect the switch is interfering with Ethernet backhaul, try the following:

 

1. Connect the Decos directly to each other to see if the problematic behavior disappears.
2. Open the Deco app and make sure that the connection between nodes is shown as Ethernet Backhaul.
3. Add the switch back into the network and verify whether the behavior returns.
4. Check the switch manufacturer's specifications for support of IEEE 1905.1, EasyMesh, or mesh networking features.
5. If everything works without the switch but fails when it is connected, the switch may need to be replaced with one that supports IEEE 1905.1.

 

ⓘ Currently, the Deco app does not provide a warning or notification that specifically identifies a connected switch as incompatible with IEEE 1905.1 communication. Compatibility issues must be diagnosed through testing and isolation of the network path.

 

Key Takeaways

A switch can successfully carry normal network traffic while still interfering with the communication that Deco mesh devices use to coordinate with one another. When this happens, Ethernet backhaul may not function as expected even though the network appears connected.
 

If bypassing the switch immediately restores Ethernet backhaul functionality, the switch may not be properly forwarding IEEE 1905.1 traffic and should be investigated as part of the troubleshooting process.

 

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Ethernet Backhaul for Deco: Setup, Benefits and Troubleshooting