@Boyes50 

 

Hello, fellow Rogers Cable user.

 

What you list as an ideal option for you does not conflict with how Decos work, i.e., it should work. Ideally.

 

Except, we live in not ideal world, so here are recommendations:

 

1. The wired part will work. I am guessing, this is the most pressing question you have, so answering it first.

 

2. If you are happy with your home Internet, all access controls and parental restrictions Rogers Hitron modem and Rogers app provide, I suggest you set up Decos in Access Point mode. AP mode will make them intelligent range extenders, if strong WiFi signal is all you want. By default, Deco runs in Router mode, you'll need to find and change that setting in Deco app, after you set up your first Deco, the one connected to Rogers Hitron modem.

 

This is how my Deco mesh is setup and it works just fine.

 

3. You know that E4 has 100Mbps Ethernet ports, right? Meaning, you WiFi network is not going to be faster than 100Mbps, in ideal conditions. Unless you are signed for 75u or grandparented even slower speed internet connection, you've chosen the wrong Deco set. If it is not too late (or you haven't bought Decos yet) consider M4, M5 or M9 instead - these all have gigabit Ethernet ports.

 

4. If you browse this forum, you'll find plenty of conversations about Satellite Decos not connected to the Deco their owner wants them to. Which means, it is quite possible your Deco Unit #3 will connect straight to Main Deco, bypassing Deco #2. 

Depending on the shape of your house and distance between Decos, you might find it sufficient to have the following setup:

 

Rogers Modem - WIRED TO - Deco Main ----- WIRELESS TO ------ Satellite Deco  - WIRED - Cat5 Ethernet Cable - WIRED - Garage Router

 

Meaning, you would only need two Decos pack. If this is the case, I strongly recommend buying 2-pack Deco M9 Plus. Right now (Dec. 16, 2020) you can get them on Amazon Canada for the same price as 3-pack Deco M5. Return policy is till January 31, 2021. So, if you order them now, and it does not work for you, return them back and get 3-pack M5 for (about) the same money, and try your initial configuration.

 

M9 is the best Deco from E4, M4, M5, and M9 models, and it is worth its money. 

 

5. Finally, if you prefer to stay with your original setup and it works for you, you must know that E4 is just slightly advanced range extender, and it is expected that most range extenders cut their speed by half at every hop. Which means, devices connected to Unit #2 will likely get not more than 50Mbps download speed, and whatever is connected to Unit #3 and in garage will unlikely to get more than 25Mbps.

That's the reason to try skip extra hop, and also M9 is designed to avoid such speed loss, the only one of M-series Decos having that feature (that's why you pay more for it).

 

 

PS. If you'd like to evaluate if 2-pack Deco is enough for your house, just ask and I'll provide my suggestions on how to check it, which you can do even before you bought your Decos.

@Alexandre. 

 

Alexandre,

 

First of all, thank you! You've answered more questions than anyone else I've spoken to prior. 

 

I have not at this time ordered anything. My current internet speed via Rogers Ignite is around 200mbps, so I'd like to have hardware that is capable of achieving these types of speeds without degradation beyond my control. I did not realize that the 2-pack was available, but the M9 certainly sounds like a better option for me. I am currently very happy with my WiFi signal throughout my home, so I am not presently concerned about increasing my home signal. It sounds like AP mode as range extenders will provide the best ethernet signal "quality" to the CAT5, and then therefore the fastest WIFI signal outside in the garage. This seems like an ideal solution. With the M9, the main unit connected to the Rogers Modem will be on the main floor, roughly 40 feet maximum in distance to where the second M9 will be setup. The second M9 will be set up 40' away, and in the basement roughly 6' below from where the Main M9 is connected. It sounds like they'll have no issues connecting and then providing an excellent connection to the CAT5. There are also no walls in between the two units, only the flooring/subfloor/floor joists when it travels to the basement. If this is an issue, I may be able to bring the second M9 through the floor to the main floor, which is something I can check after I have it setup. 

 

So essentially, I install the main M9, configure it as an AP, then setup the second M9 connected to the ethernet cable as an AP as well, and everything "should" work as designed? Do you happen to have any suggestions for a router inside the garage? It is a 25x35 heated, finished garage where I build racecars. Ideally, I don't need anything "fancy" but something that would run a SmartTV, my laptop for technical information, my Smart Thermostat and Outlets, and my Smart Garage Door Openers. I just want this whole system to be very simple and maintenance free, as I'm limited on my technical ability and am frustrated easily when projects have constant issues. 

 

 

@Boyes50 

 

If Rogers Hitron provides strong WiFi signal all over your house, you won't be dissapointed by Deco M9.

 

>So essentially, I install the main M9, configure it as an AP, then setup the second M9 connected to the ethernet cable as an AP as well, and everything "should" work as designed?

 

This is correct. As easy as it sounds. Also, Deco M-series have two Ethernet ports, which means you could use second port of Satellite Deco to wire something else to it, if needed.

 

>Do you happen to have any suggestions for a router inside the garage?

 

Any router can do, but you may not need a router. I thought you already have some inexpensive router in your posession. It must have gigabit WAN port, the only principal requirement. Also, support 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi. Most you can buy nowadays do, but very old ones might not. 

 

If you don't have router for garage yet, instead of router consider another Deco for garage. It'll make your home network management simpler, and network itself consistent. Also, devices you carry around will not need to remember different SSID. 

 

This is updated suggested network diagram:

 

Rogers Modem - WIRED TO - Deco Main ----- WIRELESS TO ------ Satellite Deco Unit #2 - WIRED - Cat5 Ethernet Cable - WIRED - Garage Satellite Deco Unit #3

 

With this setup, you'll need 3-pack Deco.

 

Your options:

 

1. 3-pack Deco M9 (if you don't mind spending a bit extra for a little of functionality overkill).

2. 2-pack Deco M9 for house and single Deco M5 for garage. Gives best wireless connectivity between Decos in house, which you will need, and optimal for price/features mix as long as you could get single Deco M5 on sale (happens occasionally).

3. 3-pack Deco M5 - in case you trust the WiFi signal is strong in your house, meaning Main and Satellite Deco M5 in house will be able to communicate on high wireless speed, without advanced M9 functionality.

This is the most conistent configuration and most budget friendly. As I said, right now 3-pack Deco M5 goes for the same price as 2-pack Deco M9 on Amazon Canada. 

 

>I just want this whole system to be very simple and maintenance free

 

Then, go for 3-Decos pack in one of three options, with network diagram I suggested.

@Alexandre. 

 

Ok, so let me verify a couple things before I order my hardware.

 

1. When the 2 M9s are connected, do they also increase the Wifi/Broadcast Wifi at the same time they're acting in AP mode? 

 

2. What is the specific disadvantage to using a 3-Pack of M5s, versus say a 2-pack of M9s and 1 M5? Signal quality basically? The M9 is more powerful and more capable? 

 

3. The 3rd unit in the garage, whether it be a 3rd M9, or just an M5, does this machine then act in standard router mode? And the other 2 only operate in AP mode? Can each M be configured to a different mode individually, or does the whole system have to operate in AP or Normal? I am a little fuzzy on how that works. 

 

Thanks again, your knowledge and first hand experience is outstanding. Also, I doubt it makes any difference but I don't believe my modem is a Hitron, and rather an Ignite Modem (Arris XB6 Modem). I am assuming since this is a newer modem, it's likely the reason I'm having no issues as I believe it's fairly powerful (to my standards)

 

I am mainly trying to decide between either 3 M9s ($400) or 3 M5s ($230). With my limited distance between units I'd love if the M5s would service my needs, but I am also not interested in cutting corners and having significant network issues/lacking performance. I realize you can't make that final decision for me, and can only provide suggestions, I am just wondering if it's worth it. 

 

@Boyes50 

 

The point of Deco mesh running in Access Point mode is to provide improved WiFi coverage. Imagine that by some miracle you have Rogers modem WiFi signal reaching garage, providing WiFi coverage there. You don't, but this is what Deco mesh in AP mode will do for you. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

With Deco mesh, your devices in garage will think they are connected by WiFi to Rogers modem. Your Rogers modem will manage these devices: assign IP addresses to them, apply parental controls and content filtering you set for them.

 

To make that work, you'll have to turn off WiFi on your Rogers modem. Rogers modem will keep network management, Decos will provide WiFi coverage all over the house and in garage.

 

I checked 3-pack price of M9, it is indeed too high. You might not get any benefit of going with that option, just extra money spent. 3-pack M5 goes for $230 and 2-pack M9 plus single M5 will cost about $330.

 

>What is the specific disadvantage to using a 3-Pack of M5s, versus say a 2-pack of M9s and 1 M5? 

 

In simple terms: if you plan to upgrade your Rogers Internet to 500u or above any time in the future, you should consider M9. If you plan to stay at grandfathered 200u or 300u, M5 should be fine. M9 shines with higher Internet connection speed.

 

>The 3rd unit in the garage, whether it be a 3rd M9, or just an M5, does this machine then act in standard router mode? 

 

Deco unit in garage will be part of your Deco mesh network, will operate in AP mode and your devices in garage will think they are connected directly to Rogers modem. Unless you have very specific network requirements, such as network separation for house and for garage, you won't need router functionality in garage. Deco unit in AP mode can do just fine.

 

>I am mainly trying to decide between either 3 M9s ($400) or 3 M5s ($230).

 

I think you should go with 3-pack of Deco M5, but keep Amazon box in case you need to return them. You will have time till January 31st to decide. 

 

If M5 won't work for you, I suggest 2-pack M9 ($230 currently) plus single M5 for garage ($100 currently) - total $330. My home network is like that: I bought 2-pack M9 for house coverage, connected wirelessly to each other, and later added M5 for the corner of my finished basement where my home office is. I wired M5, of course. 

 

I am subscribed to Rogers 300u, and potentially considering upgrade to 500u. 

@Alexandre. 
 

I have ordered the M5 set of 3, and will get it all connected tomorrow night and report back on be results. Thanks so much for the advice, very happy I didn't make the error of moving forward with the wrong hardware. Fingers crossed I have speedy, reliable Internet all around my property and can stream away in the garage hassle free!