topic Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup in Broadband & Landline

Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 07:34:22 GMT

Hi all,

First up, apologies, as I know these type of questions have been posted many times, although I am somewhat confused with the range of answers. Hoping that XRaySpex can maybe provide me with a conlcuding answer as to the way forward.

I won't go into the reasons as to why I am installing a TP-Link Deco M9 Mesh System, sufficed to say I live in an old stone-build farm property. I would like to continue to use the EE Smart Hub, although forcing it into acting as a Modem only, which I would then plug up with my first TP-Link node. I have seen many people stating that this cannot be done, and then some saying it can, and then some contradicting themselves.

I have a fibre plan with EE, although the fibre is only to the box down in the village, which is then standard copper up to the Farmhouse, about 500 - 600 yards up the road, so I am on ADSL. I get between 47 and 40Mb download, which believe me is good for my rural area, and acceptable to us for what we need to do. My plan is to switch off the WiFi in the Smart Hub config pages, and do the same with the DHCP. Cannot actually switch off NAT, as there is no option for this, although I do not have any Port Forwarding setup anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I called EE Broadband technical help this morning, and a chap named Paul told me to excatly the same as I have decribed above, and all would be well in the world. But based on the feedbacks I have read on this and other forums, I am looking for that warm to hot feeling that what I intend to do is correct, acceptable, and wil work.

Thanks so much in advance for any help you lovely people can offer up.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

XRaySpeX — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 08:12:18 GMT

Suck it & see.

FYI: You are not on ADSL but on VDSL (FTTC).

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 08:17:10 GMT

Thanks XRaySpex, just wanted to view your take on this going forward, ie: am I wasting my time? Thanks for the feedback, and for the correction to my initial detail.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

nutsnut — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 10:43:22 GMT

It can't be done, I'm in the same situation and have tried everything. Despite its name, the smart hub is a dumb piece of trash.

I just disabled WiFi on the hub, ethernet to the m9, and changed the m9 to access point only to avoid double routing/nag.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 10:54:16 GMT

Thanks for taking the time to reply nutsnut. This is largely what I was expecting. So putting the Deco M9 into Access Point works then, is that right? Albeit some functions disabled, such as Parental Controls.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

nutsnut — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 15:07:35 GMT

That's how I have it set up, with no parental controls as you say.

I tried the dhcp tricks, and calling tech support but nothing worked. Your mileage may differ, but I suspect not.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 07:21:58 GMT

Morning all. Well, I have had some success. The 3 pack Deco M9 was received yesterday, so I decided to simply connect the first node (primary node) to my EE Smart Hub without disbaling anything within the Smart Hub, and it worked a treat. Don't quite understand!

This meant that I had still had my wireless network emitted from the Smart Hub, as well as my new Mesh network. Added the other two Deco nodes, and checked that the Deco was actually working in Router mode, and not Access Point, which indeed it is. Tested throughout the house by moving around with laptop and mobile phone, and both devices managed to maintain the Deco SSID at full strength, so it is definitely working as a Mesh system 😁

Deco setup showing IPv4 as Dynamic IP, across a range 192.168.68.100 to 192.168.68.250, whereas the EE Smart Hub is 192.168.1.164 to 192.168.1.253. So I effectively have 2 routers systems working. I have now switched off the WiFi entirely from the EE SMart Hub, so only have the one WiFi Mesh Network now (as was the plan), and it's still working. Note that I still have the EE Smart Hub DHCP Server set to Enabled.

What I have notied is that there now seems to be a a Hidden/Other Network transmitting on the same channels, but doesn't seem to be causing a problem, as it's not providing an SSID. The phone WiFi doesn't see this though, just the laptops 🤔

Thought it best I get back to you all, and maybe some of you can shed some light on why this seems to be working perfectly well?

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

XRaySpeX — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:24:58 GMT

Isn't that how it's meant to operate? Why should anyone be surprised?

Remember you are still double NAT'ing to avoid which others have tried to jump through the hoops.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:27:36 GMT

Yes, I was merely trying to be helpful XRaySpeX. NAT would only be a problem if you were Port Forwarding, which I am not.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

nutsnut — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:54:40 GMT

I couldn't have the double routing/nat.

It will work fine as you have it set up if the above isn't a problem.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 19:38:42 GMT

Although I don't need Port Forwarding, I connected a couple of Microsoft mini cams to two USB ports on the laptop, and setup port forwarding by following this guide:

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/1797/

And guess what, worked a treat.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

JimmyMarchy — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 16:15:57 GMT

This is unexpected, have you found any limitations since you set it up? Looking at getting a Deco system myself, and wondering if i need to invest in a modem as well or if the SmartHub will do.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

BonhardBeej — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:40:10 GMT

Hi Jimmy, no problems whatsoever, good speed, no dropouts, all running perfectly well.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

pewtu — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 12:18:23 GMT

I am considering moving to we broadband and hence looked at their router. At present I am with Plusnet and their router, when used with my deco results in double NAT ing. Causes problems with my mobile when moving about the house. As soon as it gets near the Plusnet router it picks that up and disconnects internet to reconnect. The solution was to direct the Plusnet router and go for a bog standard fibre modern.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

bachoo786 — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:03:38 GMT

Hi @BonhardBeej

I just got the EE fibre max 900 and got my deco m5 delivered yesterday. I followed your updated post and was able to get the deco m5 up and running. However I am experiencing a significant speed drop when I am next to another deco unit on the first floor I.e. if I was to stand next to the main deco unit then the speeds are as expected but if I move to the other decos which are positioned in the 1st and 2nd floors the speed drops from 878mbps to 50mbps on the first floor and 20mbps on the 2nd.

Do you experience something similar?

Thank you.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

RunninWolf — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:20:33 GMT

Yes I’m getting the same thing. FTTP 550 mbps. Similar performance from primary / main node that is Ethernet to smart hub (500 mbps from ee hub and first node). Then monster drop off from secondary nodes down to 50 mbps or slower.

I had 3 Tenda nova mw6 and ‘upgraded’ to tp link deco mx20 but it’s worse. I’ve ‘optimised’ the wifi channels but no joy.

I’m at the start of my troubleshooting so any tips appreciated.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

marsm — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:27:21 GMT

Thanks for sharing. My Sky set up is the same, but it looks like I’ll be doing that with ee as we’ll be switching to them in the next fortnight, and will replicate this with our Deco M9.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

marsm — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:26:48 GMT

Is it not possible to connect the fibre feed straight into the Deco9 bypassing the ee router?

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

nutsnut — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 07:53:02 GMT

If you've got full fibre with an ont then yes, if you haven't then no.

You will need to set the deco at an access point and let the ee router do the routing.

Re: Using EE Smart Hub with a TP-Link Deco Mesh setup

marsm — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 15:29:41 GMT

Openreach have installed our fibre today and we have an ONT - can I just connect the LAN cable from the ONT directly to the master Deco unit and do I need to change any settings on the Deco?