@ACleverUsername,

We don't know when models will be up for a firmware update, however, I do not believe that the P9 is EoL; rather, it is not currently a priority device for receiving new features. The update you are mentioning is still being developed and while it appears to currently be a subset of models, it should eventually extend to many of our other current models and will be released as it is developed.  Something to note however, is that not all the features in the 1.6.0 firmware will appear for all devices.

What do you believe is the issue with the Smart DHCP feature?

From what I can recall, the smart DHCP function is simply in regard to what happens when the Deco is disconnected from the main network. By default on all devices the feature will simply cause the node to periodically check for a DHCP server on the network, and if there is none detected, will start its own server to connect clients directly to the AP. This is the normal function of all the decos, and the 1.6.0 toggle simply allows users to disable this behavior. For the most part, you should only need to disable this feature when you are running another DHCP server on the network, that is not a part of the deco ecosystem.

We did just last week release the Deco PX50, which is the newest powerline-making benefit of the G.hn networking standard. Over the last few months, I have seen a general increase in interest for Powerine devices, and I have been making this clear to our product team. Hopefully, with the addition of a new Powerline model, our engineering team will be looking at releasing updates for all powerline models, or make it a priority to develop the updated features for the P9.

  @ACleverUsername,

Don't worry about it; I completely understand the frustration that comes with this, especially when configuring home networks. I have already reached out to our team to see if I can fish any information out about the Powerline Decos and firmware updates, and I will update you if I hear anything back, but these requests for info often go unanswered.

All I can do, unfortunately, is request information from further up the chain. Our teams have a lot of insight into broader things about what may be coming; however, when it comes to the firmware being developed; we have no insight into the firmware development pipeline. I can say, however, that even if a device is EoLd, security patches for issues that affect the device will still be issued via a firmware update for well into its life.

I do have to say that I do not believe that the Smart DHCP setting is the main factor in your devices not receiving new addresses. By design, the Deco should only begin handing out its own addresses when the Deco is disconnected from the main network for a period of time.  As long as the satellite deco keeps its connection to the network, it should not assign addresses automatically. Is it possible that the satellite deco is either losing its connection or shifting between backhaul methods when the devices have issues? 

As a side note, this is a behavior that I have not seen reported previously. Usually, any type of power-saving feature is reserved for Wireless Devices, as wired devices should have no issue reconnecting with the same address. Something you may try,  just to see if it helps, is to place a switch between the devices and the deco, to see if the switch will be able to manage the static connections better.

Can you detail what Router is using OpenWRT and what devices you are having trouble with obtaining an address?