wifi network vs 6ghz wifi network
wifi network vs 6ghz wifi network
Anyone have a clue why the install guide has you set up wifi network name/password, and then has you do it again for '6 GHz network' name/password? The user guide offers no info on the reason for (apparently) two separate networks.
It also offers no guidance on setting up a guest network; is there no guest network feature on this system?
2+ decades of setting up home networks, and this system has the most 'minimalist' (not a compliment) user guide I've ever encountered.
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Here are the key reasons why this separation occurs:
- Security Protocol Differences: The 6 GHz band, used with Wi-Fi 6E (and Wi-Fi 7), mandates the use of the WPA3 security protocol, which is more secure than the WPA2 protocol that is still widely used and supported on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. This difference in security protocols necessitates a separation to ensure compatibility and optimal security across the network.
- Device Compatibility: While Wi-Fi 6E (and Wi-Fi 7) devices can utilize the 6 GHz band, older devices that don't support Wi-Fi 6E cannot connect to it. By having separate networks, the Deco system can maintain compatibility with older devices on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands while allowing newer, compatible devices to take advantage of the faster and less congested 6 GHz band.
- Optimal Performance and Dedicated Backhaul: The 6 GHz band offers a significant advantage by providing a large amount of clean spectrum with less interference compared to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This makes it ideal for use as a dedicated backhaul connection between the Deco units in a mesh system, which helps ensure higher speeds and lower latency for the overall network. While the 6GHz band can be made available for clients, its primary function in many mesh setups is to optimize the communication between the nodes themselves.
- Reduced Congestion and Interference: The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, particularly the 2.4 GHz band, can be subject to significant congestion and interference from other Wi-Fi networks and household devices like microwaves and Bluetooth devices. By separating the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6E devices can operate in a less crowded space, leading to faster speeds and a more reliable connection for those devices.
In essence, the separate nature of the 6 GHz band on TP-Link Deco systems with Wi-Fi 6E (and Wi-Fi 7) is a strategic choice to balance compatibility with older devices, leverage the performance advantages of the new band, and enhance network security and efficiency.
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Many thanks; if only the info had been included in the manual....
Now, if I could somehow tell why the install app just spins and fails to do anything when you tell it to set up the guest network password, and just spins and does nothing wien you attempt the 'DHCP Server' option, and the 'Address Reservation' option, and a direct-connect from a PC doesn't allow me to make any adjustments to settings at all even though I'm logged in to the router....
Also, the little minor detail that my Gbit fiber now speed tests at 90 (yes, two digits) Mbits on a PC with a wired connection....and back to 900 Mbit+ when I reinstalled the old Google mesh router.
Oh well; it's not like this was an expensive package or anything...
It just got a one-star rating on Amazon.
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I’m not sure why the info isn’t in the manual but I’m going to send this topic to one of the TP-Link staff who also might be able to help you with the application.
In the meantime, there is a web UI you can try but it’s very limited you can access it via this link http://tplinkdeco.net/
For the speed issue are you using a site to look at your speed or the Network tab in the app?
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Few things you can try for the speed issue.
Go to MORE > QoS and disable QoS. If there is no on/off switch for QoS, set it back to standard and remove all priority devices.
Navigate to MORE > Advanced > NAT Forwarding, and disable SIP ALG and UPnP.
The above worked for another user on the forms
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Unfortunately, there is almost no info in the 'manual' at all. It's been a real shock, after using routers from at least a half dozen other mfgrs all of which have detailed manuals and quite extensive web interfaces that are accessed by typing the router's ip address into a browser.
With this system, when you browse to: [router's ip address] you get [ip address]/webpages/index.html#networkStatus in the url bar, and a web page that shows a handful of status parameters but virtually no ability to set up anything in the router. So the router's internal web page is a dead end, and the android app is also a dead end when it comes to any 'advanced' configurations. (And what you can see/do as 'advanced' even in the app is barely rudimentary stuff in other mfgrs' systems. I thought Google's mesh stuff was restrictive, but this is *really* impressive.)
If you've got the ear of the tech staff, let them know I could fill it (and the other ear) up with issues. All the way to: in this forum software, the mouse driven 'cut' function works, but 'paste' does not. (??)
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I somehow missed your info on resolving the speed issue before I sent the previous reply. I'll give the ideas a try, though all those settings were at 'default'. I'd done a hard reset before initial setup.It may be several days before I have a chance to try them. I got so frustrated with the speed issue on top of everything else that I did another hard reset on the node and was in the process of putting it back in the original packing when I saw your advice about the speed issue.
I'll follow up here when I get a chance to do the additional settings tests.
Thanks for your help and patience with this frustrated user.
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I can tell you that you’re not alone in your frustrations with the deco line of products, but I did let Carl know about this post he works for TP-Link not sure when he will get back to you, but he will.
My frustration (as well as others) is how they release firmware upgrades. Example my XE75 pro has 5 different hardware versions. Because my hardware version is newer than some of the XE75 pro models my unit doesn’t have the ability to auto update firmware but some of the older XE75 pro models have this option
If you want more info on the firmware, see this post.
https://community.tp-link.com/us/home/forum/topic/794640?replyId=1575546
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No problem at all. Something else you should try if you haven't already done so is see if there are any firmware updates for your deco via the web app. While you "can" get firmware updates via the app it doesn't always show you that a new update is out. I have had at least two different types of display issues in the deco app and a firmware update fixed both so I'm hoping there is a new version out that will fix the settings you are unable to change.
1. Visit http://tplinkdeco.net/
2. Log in with your password then click on Advanced
3, System then Firmware Upgrade
4. At the bottom of the page click on "Check for upgrades"
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Well, I took one more shot (actually, several more shots) this morning, and it's sorta working now. Just in case someone else finds this thread while experiencing similar frustrations, here are a few things I discovered.
1st, while the Deco docs hint that you can begin the setup process without connecting to the internet, my experience has been that, well, ya can't. I was only able to get stuff going by connecting the 1st node directly to my fiber>ethernet adapter and getting them talking first.
2nd, it took seemingly a half dozen reboots for the node to truly get its head clear and allow the setup process to begin.
3rd, once 'working', things like ip address reservations still didn't work.
4th, after several attempts, I finally got the firmware to update, after which ip address reservations magically started working.
5th, if you're setting up to replace an existing mesh system and want to keep the same LAN primary ip address and wifi names/logins to continue access to all your IOT stuff, expect a lot of grief, reboots, delays, do-overs, etc, to get the new nodes running and talking to each other.
There's probably more, but that's what comes to mind at the moment.
I really appreciate you staying with me; it did motivate me to press on instead of boxing it all up and listing on ebay. ;-)
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