Deco with existing router (Ethernet Backhaul or Router mode) - what is the difference

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Deco with existing router (Ethernet Backhaul or Router mode) - what is the difference

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Deco with existing router (Ethernet Backhaul or Router mode) - what is the difference
Deco with existing router (Ethernet Backhaul or Router mode) - what is the difference
2020-10-11 13:27:56 - last edited 2020-10-12 00:29:26
Model: Deco M5  
Hardware Version: V3
Firmware Version:

I am buying the Deco M5 (2 / 3 pack) and have 2 questions: 

 

I have a number of wired devices connected to my TL-WDR3600 wireless router (current set up), which I want to keep wired.

How would be best to set this up the Deco M5 in this configuration i.e. 4 wired devices using the WDR3600 as a switch and the Deco for the wireless routing? Does the Deco get connected after the router or between the modem and router

 

In the FAQ, I see different options and I am not clear on the differences between them: 

  1.  Ethernet Backhaul feature ''star network'' configuration  (https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/faq/1794/)
  2.  Using Deco with my existing router in ''router'' mode. (https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/faq/1432/)

 

Which is the best way to set this up?

 

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Re:Deco with existing router (Ethernet Backhaul or Router mode) - what is the difference
2020-11-01 01:35:31

@Larrens

 

My suggestion would be to run ALL your Deco's in AccessPoint mode, and (unless you really need the coverage of it) turn off the WiFi on the WDR3600 and use it as just a router.

 

Then you can use the Deco's all as wired (if you have connections to where you want to place them), or some combination of wired & wireless.

 

I would suggest that you make the at least the 1st ('Master') Deco as wired for stability.

 

You may be interested in the setup I describe at reply #377 in this topic: https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/98898?page=27 (which is on page 27 of that thread).  This does not cleanly match with any of the "FAQ" I've seen so far, but it seems to me that if one has more wired devices than one has Deco's AND you already have a router+switch for them, use the Deco's as simple (non-routing) Access Points makes the most sense.

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Re:Deco with existing router (Ethernet Backhaul or Router mode) - what is the difference
2021-04-03 21:21:01

I also recently changed out the network router (my Deco's are AP mode), and that alone has greatly improved both network performance and stability.

 

The new router is a Ubiquity EdgeRouter 4.

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