BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router

BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router

BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router
BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router
Sunday
Model: Archer BE550  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.0.12 Build 20240902 rel.22993(4555)

I bought two BE550 routers to set up an EasyMesh network with Ethernet backhaul on two different floors in my house. Topology: my ISP provides a non-TP-Link modem/router that serves as the main router (wifi turned off). Two modem LAN ports are connected to the two BE550 routers via Ethernet.

Normally I would set both BE550 in AP mode, but as far as I can see there is no firmware that supports Easymesh in AP mode for this BE550 device.

  1. Can you advise on a configuration/setup that can make Easymesh work in this topology while maintaining the ISP router function and avoiding double DHCP, NAT, issues? Please note that there is only one Ethernet cable from the modem location to each BE550.
  2. If it is not possible to properly configure (as requested in 1), will there be firmware that supports AP Easymesh for the BE550 routers on the short term? I can still return the product.

 

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#1
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4 Reply
Re:BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router
Sunday

  @Ppmh 

 

Hi,

 

Apart from the router supporting EasyMesh in AP mode or not.

 

If I am not mistaken (someone please correct me if I am wrong) the Ethernet connection colored in red in the sketch below cannot be used as "supply line" and Ethernet backhaul simultaneously. To make wired EasyMesh work the Ethernet cable colored in green that is coming from the Satellite router would have to be rerouted to connect to the Main BE550 router instead of the ISP router.

 

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Re:BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router
Yesterday

  @woozle 

 

Thanks.

I had been looking at topo 3 of https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/697572 but I guess you are right and it will not work in my case. 

 

Would the alternative be the setup below? (W is WAN port, L is LAN port) Or should the sattelite routers be connected via the LAN port?

However, such a setup would require me to buy another Router, unless there is an alternative method. 

 

 

I am not an network expert but I do wonder what it means when an router is configured as a sattelite unit. Will it still operate as a full functioning router (including DHCP, NAT)? Normaly such a sattelite device would be set in AP mode, but when I do this it does not support EasyMesh. 

I wonder whether this will work at all and if I shoud have bought a Deco like solution. 

 

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Re:BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router
16 hours ago

  @Ppmh 

 

I see. You are right. According to the post you linked to your original idea (Topo 3) should actually work. Thanks for pointing it out. I didn't know that.

 

The satellite units will always work similar to AP mode, they will not add a NAT and also don't perform as DHCP server. 
When you prepare an TP-Link EasyMesh router for being added as a satellite unit you don't switch that router to AP mode. You need to switch it to "Satellite mode" and then leave it like that (i.e. don't log into that router again before it's been added to the EasyMesh network).

A router that is to be used as satellite unit doesn't need to support that "EasyMesh in AP Mode" feature that you have read about. This feature is only important for the router that is used as the EasyMesh main unit.
 

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Re:BE550 Easymesh Ethernet Backhaul configuration with third party modem/router
15 hours ago

  @woozle 

 

Thanks for explaining that.

I guess in stead of using a BE550 as main router, I could also use a BE230, that supports AP mode in Easymesh. The Wifi fornthis device is turned of anyway.  That is cheaper solution and I can leave my current ISP router in routing mode. 

 

 

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