Hi  @Hikeleader 

Welcome to the community!

If you're able to, can you confirm the following information to help our community better understand your situation?

1. Is the Ethernet speed test being performed while directly connected to the main Deco node?
    
2. Can similar results (high download, slow upload) be replicated with other devices - including ones connected over Wi-Fi?
    
3. Have you tried bypassing the Deco to test directly at the source and compare the results?
    
4. Is your Internet source (e.g., modem, ONT, gateway) connected to the top, middle, or bottom port on the main Deco?
    
5. Is the main Deco connected to a modem, or to a modem + router gateway device?

  @Hikeleader 

One thing that caught my attention was the topology of your network (Verizon Router → Switch → Main Deco → Ethernet Backhaul to other Deco Nodes).

Is your Deco currently set up in Access Point Mode?

If it is not and is instead operating in Router Mode, this could introduce various network anomalies and performance resulting from a Double NAT scenario.

Generally, with two Routing devices in the same network (your Verizon gateway and the Deco Mesh System), you'd want to assign one as the network router/gateway and the other as a network passthrough device. This can typically take the form of one of the two following configurations:

Scenario 1: You want to use the Verizon gateway as your main router, and have the Deco simply provide Wi-Fi connectivity

- In this case, you would need to set the Deco in Access Point Mode (Note: doing this will disable some of the Deco's router-exclusive features). 

Scenario 2: You would prefer the Deco as the primary router on your network

- In this case, you would bypass your Verizon gateway entirely and connect the main Deco to your ONT via Ethernet or set the Verizon gateway in pass-through mode, effectively turning off its routing features so the Deco can handle that for your network.

Is there anything else connected to the switch between the Verizon Router and Main Deco?

  @Hikeleader 

I appreciate the additional info, and I can understand why you'd need to keep that Verizon gateway for your TV Set Top Boxes.

That said, if the Deco is in Router Mode, and your PC is connected to the switch, then all of the PC's network traffic will be routed through the Verizon router—not your Deco's network. 

To provide a bit more context, with both routers in the network, anything connected directly to the Verizon router (whether via Ethernet to the Verizon router itself, or to its Wi-Fi network, or even via the switch) will be in a separate network from the devices connecting to the Deco.

Depending on how you want to use the Deco, and your network overall, this can potentially lead to devices not seeing each other on the LAN, or network speed and connectivity issues stemming from the Double NAT scenario.

If I understand correctly, it sounds like your current options are:

1. Verizon Router + Wi-Fi Extenders

2. Verizon Router + Decos in AP Mode

I strongly encourage trying the latter option, especially since your Deco nodes are already using Ethernet backhaul. Depending on their implementation, universal Wi-Fi extenders may introduce latency and bandwidth loss. 

Are there any particular router-exclusive Deco settings you are currently using that you are concerned about losing if they are set in AP Mode?

  @Hikeleader 

Thanks for the topology clarification - it looks good, as far as I can tell.

Regarding your question about separating the SSIDs:

Separating the SSIDs would be in your best interest if you absolutely must keep the Wi-Fi network broadcasting on the Verizon gateway, and you're really only using it for those boxes and nothing else. This way, your TV boxes can connect to the gateway SSID, and everything else can connect to the Deco SSID.

Having the same SSID (assuming you assign the Verizon gateway SSID to the entire network) across both your Verizon gateway and the Decos could potentially invite roaming issues. However, the most likely concern would be the time involved in migrating all of your smart devices over to the Verizon SSID - if they're currently connected to the Deco SSID.

On a related note:

If your Deco Mesh is set in AP mode, it theoretically shouldn't matter if you connect them to your Deco SSID—unless Verizon has implemented some sort of unorthodox protocols in their boxes. In AP mode, the Decos will hand everything over to your gateway for routing purposes and shouldn't interfere with the communication between your boxes and the gateway - in theory. It might be worth reaching out and verifying this with a knowledgeable Verizon support rep.

As mentioned before, if your Deco is in Router Mode, that's a whole different story. It is highly advised against using this mode behind another router (Verizon gateway) if you don't use any specific Deco Router Mode features and your ISP needs you to keep your Verizon gateway as the primary router.

Regarding the IoT Network:

I honestly agree with your assessment on the IoT network in your case. The time required to move 70+ devices to a new SSID is simply not worth it if you haven't noticed any points of concern with them on your main network.

  @Hikeleader 

There shouldn't be any issues since, in that configuration, both the Decos and your switch are behind the router in terms of topology; everything connected to them will be within your router's LAN.

That said, I'd also recommend reading through our FAQ on Connecting Decos via Ethernet Backhaul. It contains examples of the various and flexible ways you can connect Decos in AP mode while using Ethernet as a backhaul (including one very similar to yours). It also has a handful of helpful troubleshooting recommendations — in the unlikely event that anything unexpected occurs.