What is an IoT Network?

The Internet of Things

 

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of everything that is connected to the internet, from something as small as a toy or sensor, to as big as a train.

 

While IoT devices were a new concept just a few years ago, the concept of IoT has spread to almost every aspect of our lives, from medical services to smart home devices, even to agricultural industries across the world. Advancements in Technologies such as cloud computing, big data management, machine learning, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and mobile technologies have allowed IoT devices to offer better privacy, increased stability, and streamlined user experiences.

 

 

Why are IoT Networks Important??

 

IoT devices, since they are connected to the internet, are capable of communicating with devices across the entire network and with outside services, such as the TP-Link Cloud for both Kasa and Tapo devices. Connecting these devices to the internet, not only provides increased control and functionality, but the anonymous data collected can be used to optimize connections, communicate statistics (energy monitoring), or even create alerts/notifications. In industrial applications, IoT devices allow companies to better monitor, track, and predict changes that may occur on a larger scale, such as how the agricultural industry can even track the detailed humidity, solid moisture, and temperature across their property in order to provide the best-growing conditions for their crops.

 

IoT devices, while providing invaluable experiences to our lives and smart homes, can also use a significant amount of bandwidth or crowd your home network. By placing all these devices on a separate network, you are freeing up your network for the devices where you want the best connection, such as your phone or streaming device.

 

Automation Efficiency

If you have ever attempted to create automations with your Smart Devices on a congested network, you will know that the overall performance, speed, and reliability at which the Automation is performed can be heavily affected or varying. By placing your Smart Devices on a designated IoT network, you can be sure that your devices can effectively communicate with each other to provide the best connections possible. This will also create additional bandwidth on your main wireless network that your streaming devices and phones can now take advantage of.

 

Simplified Setup

IoT networks can also simplify the setup process for your smart devices as a separate and easier-to-input password can be used to connect the devices. IoT networks also provide methods for changing the bands and security used by these devices; meaning that if your device only connects via a 2.4 GHz connection, the 5 GHz bands can be disabled for the IoT network, allowing your other devices to keep their high-speed connection from the main network.

Furthermore, if you would like to use the newest security protocols but are limited by your smart device's compatibility, the encryption method of the IoT network can be different from the method used on the main network to connect your devices.

 

How is TP-Link Embracing IoT Networks?

 

If you happened to catch the Wi-Fi 7 Product Launch Event, you might already know that a Private IoT network is featured in all of TP-Link’s current Wi-Fi 7 Lineup. For Wi-Fi 7 Routers supporting the feature, both the Deco BE95(2-Pack) and the BE900 are available for preorder now.

 

IoT Networking is already beginning to roll out to specific deco models, such as the Deco X50/55 (v1 and V1.6) and the new Deco XE200. If you do not see the feature available, please check that you are running the most up-to-date firmware from your model’s download page. If your device is not yet supported, keep an eye out for New Beta Firmware on the official TP-Link forums, and for new firmware updates on your model’s support page.

 

 

 

The New IoT Configuration Interface from the Deco XE200

 

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Comment

If I place all my devices within an IOT Network, for example; Alexa, Siri, Apple TV, Light Switches, Cameras etc will I still be able to view and control everything from my iPhone with Homekit and will I be able to view on amazon echo shows

Will devices on the iot network be available to those on the non iot network?

 

are there any reasons not to create this network for smart home devices? 

Hey @mstbone67a,

What hardware and firmware version are you running? According to the release notes on the firmware download pages, the X68 has received the IoT network feature for v1/1.6/2/2.6 versions.

 

If you are having trouble finding the feature or updating your Decos, I would recommend creating a new thread

I am using Deco x55 units for my WiFi. I use an Apple TV 4K as an Apple Home hub, running devices all over the house (mostly lights, a few other things). I have only purchased products that support Matter, although most are Matter over WiFi. My primary WiFi network is split into two bands. All of my devices right now are set in the Deco app to prefer the 2.4ghz band.

 

If I want to move the devices to the IoT network, how can I ensure the Apple TV will still be able to communicate and control them? Will I have to set up every device again? Is it possible to seamlessly move them over to the IoT network, with my Apple TV and phones and such on the main network and the devices on the IoT network? I am worried that having them on separate SSIDs will cause them to lose communication. I dread the possibility of having to set up every device and Homekit scene again because they all say "no response".

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

@vincentlepes To accomplish what you are asking for is pretty easy.  However I will preface that there will be some reconfiguration required one way or the other depending how many devices you want to reconfigure.  I am not sure if you get 100% what you want if you don't want to have separate networks.  I mean most IoT devices only work on 2.4 GHz so that should be your priority vs wanting everything in the world.

 

To setup your Decos since this is what I do in my house

1. Select IoT Network option and do the following 

      - Enable 2.4 GHz band only

      - Name your IoT Network SSID the same name as your current main network SSID (ex: if current main network SSID is ABCDE, then name IoT network SSID to ABCDE)

      - By doing this you won't have to reconfigure all your IoT devices because it still sees the same network SSID as before (it doesnt know that this is now connected to an "IoT network" which is not any different functionally) and the change should be seamless.

 

2. Setup the main network option

      - You can leave 2.4 GHz/5 GHz (not preferred) OR 5 GHz only (preferred) bands enable depending on your preference.

      - Give main network SSID a slightly different name to differentiate it from the IoT network SSID (ex: current main network SSID is now ABCDEF)

      - Reconfigure any devices that you want to connect 2.4 GHz/5 GHz or 5 GHz depending on which option you choose to the new main network SSID.  Note if you enable 2.4 GHz in this network your IoT devices won't be able to connect to it.

      - Personally I have the XE75 Decos so my main networks are set to 5 GHz only and also enabled the 6 GHz network for extra connectivity and I try to put all my non-IoT devices (ex: laptop, phone, tablet, streaming devices [Amazon firestick/Google Chromecast], etc) on either 5 GHz or 6 GHz networks only because of the expanded bandwidth.  I don't want to clog the already limited 2.4 GHz band with non-IoT devices and eat up that bandwidth.

 

Hopefully this helps

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