Can I use TP Link Deco Mesh with Smart Hub Plus (SH30A)

[Stalwart]

Hi all. First post here.

Switching over from Plusnet BB to EE Fibre 67 Essentials this Friday and want to get everything prepped my end as I work from home and cannot afford too much disruption / drop out switching over.

Current set up is TP-Link Archer VR2800 Router with WiFi extended through a number of TP-Link Deco X55 units.

From searching the community, I understand for Digital Voice I have to use the Smart Hub Plus and people continue to use their own router for extenders (power line or mesh) but turn off the WiFi on the Smart Hub. Is this the best way to extend WiFi whilst retaining Digital Voice? Or am I better off investing in EE's own Smart WiFi Plus SW30A WiFi 6 Network Extenders instead of the Deco (if these are the correct ones)?

I am a complete numpty when it comes to the home broadband / extenders so need / want something that is simple and straightforward right out of the box and is easy to manage and maintain (i.e. not have angry kids shouting at me when the WiFi signal is cr@p!!)

Question - can I use the Deco X55 Mesh extenders with the Smart Hub?

TIA

[Mustrum]

@Stalwart   if you wanted to keep it simple you could change the Archer WAN setting to DHCP or Access Point and connect its WAN port to a LAN port on the EE Router. Switch off the WiFi on the EE router, and that could be it.

[bobpullen]

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@Stalwart wrote:

Question - can I use the Deco X55 Mesh extenders with the Smart Hub?

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Yes, you may need to make some changes depending on how you currently have things set up though, e.g. I suspect the Archer has a different IP address to the EE hub (EE hubs use 192.168.1.254). Give it a go and see how you get on. If you have any problems, then just reset the Deco units and start from scratch with the EE hub. It can definitely be made to work.

[Stalwart]

Hi Mustrum - thanks for the quick response. You'll know I'm a numpty at this when I say, "so how do I change the Archer WAN setting to DHCP or Access Point"...??! I've got the Router instructions PDF open - and there is a section called "Use the Modem Router as a DHCP Server" - am guessing that's it..??! 🤣

[Stalwart]

Hi Bob,
Yep - the Archer does have a different IP address.
I'll reset all the Decos and see if I can get them working on the Smart Hub first.....

[Mustrum]

@Stalwart  yes that sounds the right bit.

It should change from the PPOE and your PN username and password so that it can just pich up the internet from the EE router .

[Stalwart]

@Mustrum - yep, that just got a whole new level of complexity!! 🤣. I understand absolutely nothing about this!! 

[Mustrum]

@Stalwart   that is the wrong section, it is the WAN setting you need to change from PPOE to DHCP or Access Point depending on the options yu have.

EDIT, this link should help explain https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/1731/ 

[XRaySpeX]

Point of order: Why do you think you'll be getting a SH30A? That is old-hat. Nowadays it'll be the SH31A.

[Stalwart]

@XRaySpeX thanks for the heads-up. When was the SH30A phased out / replaced by the SH31A?

What's the difference in the models? And "Googling" this comes up with the SH31B! 

What is the latest model I should be pushing for / expecting? I won't be mugged off by some back-of-the-warehouse old stock!