Creating a Personalized Whole-Home Deco Mesh Solution
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Creating a Personalized Whole-Home Deco Mesh Solution
In the high-paced environments we all live in and interact with, whether it be social media, work, or entertainment, having a stable wireless network has become ever more important. Over the years, TP-Link has released a variety of Deco Mesh Wi-Fi Systems to help ensure that you can enjoy a seamless, reliable wireless home network inside and out.
If you find yourself confused about what model is best for your home or if you have a unique need, our team has provided a few suggestions to help guide your decision; otherwise, feel free to ask in the comments below.
When deciding on a model or if you need to upgrade your network, consider the following questions:
- How Many Deco Nodes You Need for Your Desired Coverage
- How Will Your Deco Nodes Communicate with Each Other? (Wirelessly, Wired)
- Find any Special Cases or Unique Needs for Your Mesh Network (Outdoor, PoE, Powerline)
- Determine How Powerful of a Network You Need Based on Your Traffic and Use
How Many Deco Nodes You Need for Your Desired Coverage?
While your experience will vary depending on other factors such as the model, interference, appliance use, and the materials used to build your home, each Deco will provide a general guideline of the coverage our teams saw while testing the model. Please Consider these as a general guide for what you may need in your home.
We recommend placing at least one Deco Node per floor and not skipping a floor when setting up your satellite nodes.
| Number of Rooms |
Total Indoor Coverage |
Recommend Number of Deco Nodes |
| 1 |
1~800 ft² (1~80m²) |
1 |
| 2-3 |
800~2000 ft² (80~200 m²) |
2 |
| 4-5 |
2000~3000 ft² (200~300 m²) |
3 |
| 6-7 |
3000~4000 ft² (300~400 m²) |
4 |
| 8-9 |
4000~5000 ft² (400~500 m²) |
5 |
| 10-11 |
5000~6000 ft² (500~600 m²) |
6 |
| 12+ |
>6000ft² (>600 m²) |
How Will Your Deco Nodes Communicate With Each Other?
A Deco network may use a combination of backhaul methods to provide the most flexible experience. We recommend attempting to provide a wired connection to as many nodes as possible, as this will improve your network performance and latency.
Wireless Backhaul:
- All Deco Nodes are able to build a wireless backhaul.
- AXE Series Quad-Band Models and AX Series Tri-Band Models can use multi-band Wi-Fi for backhaul
- When looking at Deco models, consider choosing a model with multi-band backhaul to optimize your network’s performance.
Ethernet (Wired) Backhaul:
- Determine the speed of your network and the speeds at which you would like your backhaul to operate.
- Keep this in mind when looking at the Ethernet Ports on each Deco Model.
- Ensure that the Ethernet Cables running through your home support the speeds you are looking for, normally CAT5E or above: Learn More about Ethernet Cables and MultiGig Speeds
Do You Have a Specific Need for Your Network or Nodes?
To increase the flexibility of your network and improve coverage in areas unfriendly to wireless signals, you may consider a Deco model with Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE), Powerline Connections (PLC), Fiber Connects, Weatherproofing, or a Mounting Option.
Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE): PoE will provide power to the Deco over the same ethernet cable used for the data backhaul, which will require additional equipment to create a PoE signal. Read More: What is PoE and What It Can Do for Your Home
- Compatible Models: Deco X50-PoE, Deco X50-Outdoor
Powerline: Powerline Connections will use the existing power lines in your home to distribute the backhaul network signal of the Decos.
- This is recommended when wireless signals struggle to penetrate walls and running ethernet cables is not an option. (Stone, Concrete, or Historical Houses).
- Compatible Models: Deco PX50, Deco P9
Mountable: Most Decos are designed to be used on top of a table or cabinet. However, PoE Decos also come with the added option to mount the Deco to a pole, ceiling, or wall, depending on the model.
- Compatible Models: Deco X50-PoE, Deco X50-Outdoor
SFP+ (Fiber) Compatibility: An Added SFP+ Port will allow compatible Decos to take advantage of your ISP’s Fiber Connection without additional fiber equipment. Currently, SFP+ Ports are only available on some Wi-Fi 7 Deco Models. Read More: Common Applications of SFP+ Interface
Outdoors (Weatherproofing): Last year, we saw the release of the Deco X50 - Outdoor, the first Deco node with weatherproofing and intended for use outdoors.The X50 - Outdoor supports IP65 weatherproofing from rain and dust; while also supporting the additional mounting methods above.
- Compatible Models: Deco X50-Outdoor
Determine the Level of Deco You Need Based on What You Use Your Network For
| Sub Gigabit ISP Connection |
|
| Gigabit ISP Connection |
|
| Deco X95 |
|
| Deco XE70 Pro |
|
| Multi-Gig ISP Connection |
|
| Deco XE200 |
|
| Deco BE16000 |
|
Need Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Ports (10Gbps, 2.5Gbps)?
Check out the list of Decos on our site, and use the filters on the side to select your needed ethernet port speed: Deco Mesh Wi-Fi Product Family
Hint: Deco Models ending in “Pro” (Deco XE70 Pro) are models upgraded to include a multi-gig port and will often have a non-multi-gig equivalent (Deco X50 vs Deco X55 Pro).
Don't Forget: All Decos Work Together
Feel free to use a multi-gig deco as your main node and provide fewer models to areas that will not see as much traffic. In the future, this also means that you can easily upgrade or replace nodes on your network to help extend your coverage or improve your performance.
Please Note: When Using a Mixed Deco Network, some features may require compatibility with each node on the network. Otherwise, your nodes will communicate with each other to the best of their ability.
All Your Decos Work Together: Upgrading Your Deco Mesh Network
The Difference Between AC, AX, AXE, and BE Deco Models
These are representative of the different generations of Wi-Fi used by Deco. Examples of how the Deco naming system relates can be found below:
- Wi-Fi 5(AC) = M4, M9, AC1200
- Wi-Fi 6(AX) = X50, X75, X20, AX3000
- Wi-Fi 6E(AXE) = XE75, XE200, AXE5400
- Wi-Fi 7 (BE) = BE85, BE95, BE11000
Learn More About How Different Generations of Wi-Fi Can Improve the Performance and Efficiency of Your Network:
From Wi-Fi 6E to Wi-Fi 7: How Your Deco Mesh Network Takes Advantage of the Latest Technology
How is Wi-Fi 7 More Advanced than Wi-Fi 6E?
The Difference Between Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6
Have Questions or Need Additional Help? Leave Your Question or Idea in the Comments Below!
Comment
How do I setup the nodes
Hey @Msrwifi,
The general FAQ for setting up your Deco Mesh can be found here: Setup for Deco Mesh
Otherwise, what model do you have, how are you trying to connect the nodes together, wired or wirelessly?
I’m seeking advice on expanding my WiFi coverage outdoors. I have a dual BE63 unit setup with a wired backhaul, servicing a cement block home. The indoor signal is strong, but coverage is weak outside, where I’d like connectivity for my back patio and front yard. Both areas have AC power but lack Ethernet access. My internet service is a 1Gb fiber connection via an ISP-provided ONT. High speeds aren’t necessary outdoors; I’m prioritizing a reliable signal.
Could you recommend an effective method to extend my BE63 system’s WiFi reach outdoors?
Thank you for your assistance!
Unfortunately, you are in a difficult situation depending on how quickly your coverage falls off.
If possible, you should reevaluate if it is possible to run an ethernet or PoE connection to the locations, or how much effort it would take. Oftentimes it is easier than you would think, especially since the Deco's can be wired together, rather than having to run back to the main node.
Depending on the signal outside, you could explore adding a Deco X50 - Outdoor with a wireless backhaul, if the 2.4Ghz signal is okay/usable outside. Consider the signal that could be achieved if you have a Deco on the outside wall of your home, instead of the middle of your yard. If the signal is still weak, your best bet is to arrange your Deco nodes, or add another node, so that they are closer to the locations you need.
You could also add an Indoor Deco Node near the Backyard and Wire an Outdoor AP or Mesh Node to this device - skipping over your exterior walls, or if you cannot wire the device, it would at least improve your wireless signal to the outdoor node.
Is there a chart that shows the RF antenna radiation pattern for the X55? I'm thinking about buying them for my home and wondering about the best placement: down low, table top, up high (right side up or upside down), ceiling mount, etc.
Hey @gmoore_az,
Unfortunately, we only have propagation patterns for our business-level products. The Decos use omnidirectional antennas, so they are much closer to the standard 'donut' shape, where the signal reaches the farthest from side to side. The Deco's vertical signal is still present; it just isn't meant to go much further than a single floor, while the horizontal signal is designed to pass through multiple walls.
You will usually want to look at tabletop placement if possible. If you are looking to ceiling mount the node, I would look towards the X50-PoE as it has the added option of wall and ceiling mounting.
Is the W3600 and the X20 basicly the same?
I am adding an X55 as the primary unit to a 4 node M9 mesh. My cable modem and primary Wi-Fi are on the 3rd floor with the remaining nodes spread over the lower
2 floors. Earlier you stated the unit signal is a donut radiating from the middle of the unit. Is there an issue with laying the X55 on its side so that the signal penetrates further through the lower floors?
It is not recommended because it was not designed to operate that way. The weight of components pulling each other at an unexpected angle could introduce problems.
For Multi-Story Homes, we recommend simply placing a node on each floor of your home. The signals broadcast and received should be more than enough to build out your mesh network. Keep in mind that Wi-Fi is not a one-way road and your devices will also have the wireless signals from the floors beneath to help build out the mesh.
The donut is the propagation pattern of the device and normally only comes into play when dealing with extremes (such as multi-km distances) or in technical tuning of directional Wi-Fi. In reality, the way mesh WI-Fi propagates throughout the entirety of the room makes this less important to consider, especially since Decos have an omni-directional antennae.
If you are aiming to use the pattern to optimize your network, you would want to look towards the Deco X50 PoE as it is can be wall or ceiling-mounted and is intended to operate in those orientations.
Discounting any potential physical damage issues would laying the X55 on its side improve the signal strength between floors?