Router or AP mode for Deco M4
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Hello everyone, happy new year first of all!
So after having been in contact with the tp-link support, I still don't understand fully what I have to do to make sure my problem is fixed:
Here is my network setup:
1x Router with 4 Ethernet port outputs
3x Deco M4
When I bought the Deco's, they were initially connected in ROUTER mode, and they were communicating in WiFi with each other as shown on the Deco App (no Ethernet backhaul).
I have recently discovered that it'd be better to wire all of my Deco's in order to have the same WiFi speed through my house. So I have changed to ACCESS POINT mode and connected everything as follow:
- Main Deco (Garage) <---> Ethernet <---> Router (Garage)
- Deco Satellite 1 (Living room) <---> Ethernet <---> Router (through wall plugs, not directly on router)
- Deco Satellite 2 (Upstairs) <---> Ethernet <---> Router (through wall plugs, not directly on router)
Additionally, my Main Deco output #2 goes to my PC (through Ethernet wall plug) and Deco Satellite 1 output #2 goes to a Hue Bridge.
The WiFi Meshing works very good, speed tests around the house show 330-350 Mbps (max 400 Mbps subscription).
However here is the problem: I suffer from network dropouts very often (every 2-3 days, randomly).
From what tp-link support said, it's because network loop are created due to my Deco Satellite being wired to the Router (through wall plugs).
So my questions are:
- Q1: Do I need to use Router or AP (like it is now) as a mode to generate a WiFi signal directly from each Deco rather than extending the Router one? I imagine that provides better speed
- Q2: tp-link suggested to create a "Daisy" or "Star network"; what's the concrete difference? Does it mean that according to my setup I should buy a switch?
According to this thread: https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1794/ ---> Q.2.3 with AP mode, Satellites Deco can be wired to Main Deco OR Router so I am lost...
Thank you very much!!
Hey
No worries, some replies below :)
• I do not use any homeplug. What I meant is that I use the Ethernet outlets of my house (which are basically brand new since the house was built 3 years ago).
Ah got you now.. just used to the term Wall Plugs referring to HomePlugs. Cables are good :)
• I do not see the point of connecting Decos in Daisy chain (so one to another) - this way they have to be next to each other which is not what I want, since I like to have them in separate rooms to cover my whole house with WiFi meshing.
Daisy chaining doesn't mean right next to each other.. Its just the pattern they are linked in via the cable. Example. Deco1 is in your living room, plugged into your wall port (ethernet) which goes all the wall up to your Bedroom where it comes out again and into Deco2. The Decos are in totally separate locations with perhaps 100m of cable and wall ports between them.. but as they are connected Deco 1 into Deco 2 "directly" its a daisy chain. If both where connected to a switch however, it would be a star as the Switch is the centre of the star
This is a Daisy Chain, as despite the decos being in different locations, they are still cabled directly overall
This however is a star. The Decos all go back to one central point (the switch)
Hopefully that makes some sense?
So I think the best (let me know if you agree) is that I buy a switch and plug it into a Star chain configuration - and use AP mode. This way I ensure to have coverage everywhere with the same speeds (which indeed matters to me).
If you want max speed, then yes AP mode is the one for you. Get yourself a switch and plug EVERYTHING into it, even the router. Again only one cable from Router to switch is needed. Disable the Router WiFi as its no longer useful to you
This is what you are after here
Hey
No worries, some replies below :)
• I do not use any homeplug. What I meant is that I use the Ethernet outlets of my house (which are basically brand new since the house was built 3 years ago).
Ah got you now.. just used to the term Wall Plugs referring to HomePlugs. Cables are good :)
• I do not see the point of connecting Decos in Daisy chain (so one to another) - this way they have to be next to each other which is not what I want, since I like to have them in separate rooms to cover my whole house with WiFi meshing.
Daisy chaining doesn't mean right next to each other.. Its just the pattern they are linked in via the cable. Example. Deco1 is in your living room, plugged into your wall port (ethernet) which goes all the wall up to your Bedroom where it comes out again and into Deco2. The Decos are in totally separate locations with perhaps 100m of cable and wall ports between them.. but as they are connected Deco 1 into Deco 2 "directly" its a daisy chain. If both where connected to a switch however, it would be a star as the Switch is the centre of the star
This is a Daisy Chain, as despite the decos being in different locations, they are still cabled directly overall
This however is a star. The Decos all go back to one central point (the switch)
Hopefully that makes some sense?
So I think the best (let me know if you agree) is that I buy a switch and plug it into a Star chain configuration - and use AP mode. This way I ensure to have coverage everywhere with the same speeds (which indeed matters to me).
If you want max speed, then yes AP mode is the one for you. Get yourself a switch and plug EVERYTHING into it, even the router. Again only one cable from Router to switch is needed. Disable the Router WiFi as its no longer useful to you
This is what you are after here