TP-LINK AX1800 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System - Deco x20 - 3 Pack from good guys commercial. Seems like the cheapest price I've seen doing a quick search here on Ozbargain.
Seemed like great value for a wifi 6 mesh system. It is only dual band, so if you want Tri-band might need to look for something else.
Have just got mine setup and seems to be running like a charm for general internet speeds.
Yes, you add this mash router as local router within the same home network (also known as Double NAT)
Or you can also set the Telstra smart 2 modem as pass through mode, and use this router as primary router
If you are not sure what to do, Double NAT is a much easier setup, basically just plug the "LAN" port of the Telstra modem, to the "WAN" port of the TP-Link router
Then connect all the devices using the Wifi from the TP-Link router (wireless mesh network)
Setup the Deco in one of the following ways to avoid a double NAT.
Correct, just note that option 1, disables voice services on the Telstra Smart Modem 2. Yes some people still have their home phone or voice services.
Additional notes.
Note that for option 2
Putting Deco as Access Points means that all the routing feature will be controlled by the Telstra modem router (eg. port forwarding, DMZ, QoS etc)
Besides, double NAT is mostly OK for normal users, uPnP should correctly open the required ports when client devices needed. It is also suggested putting the Deco (secondary router) as DMZ of the primary router
The advantage of having double NAT in Telstra scenario is retain to the 4G fallback whenever NBN is down. I also added UPS on the router for power outage backup.
@littlesoldier: Yeah for casual browsing and Netflix you can get away with double NAT. Users should be aware that a double NAT can break access to Plex, selected IP cameras, remote access, servers, home automation and more. Going with a double NAT setup shouldn't be your first option.
If you want Telstra's 4G fail over you should be using the Deco as a Wi-Fi AP. This way you avoid a double NAT and the Deco still provides the much improved Wi-Fi.
You shouldn't be touching DMZ unless you really know what you're doing. Not recommended for most users.
@Twix: Thanks for your info
And that is reason why I am suggesting to have DMZ enabled to the Deco from the Telstra modem router, this allows the Deco to have all the ports accessible, and clients in the Deco subnet to use whatever port that open to the client set from the Deco firewall / port forwarding rule
As long as all the clients are access internet / home network via the Deco, the firewall rules in Deco will apply and protect against the client
While Deco itself is not a powerful router, using Telstra modem with second router as AP basically give up most the capabilities of the router, eg. running as VPN server / clients, advance routing such as MAC to IP mapping, parenting control, QoS. All these features are quite limited with the Telstra smart modem
PS: I have been running Telstra smart modem in Double NAT settings for years without issues, hooking with Asus AiMesh, home setup including Home assistants IoT and Synology NAS. Never have problem in running servers at home and access remotely.
@littlesoldier: Yeah double NAT and some IoT products work as they should. Some don't work until you remove the double NAT.
@Twix: I think it depends on what service you are running
For services that is using direct access, eg port 80 /443 httpd it certainly requires direct port open / forward to make it working, and I can assure that my home web server is working via double NAT
I even map enable DDNS, add into my domain name as subdomain using CNAME and access to my home web server via https. My home assistant is also working by directly accessing from remote. All of these service won’t work if I remove the DMZ setting from Telstra smart modem to the secondary router.
And as you said, some IoT devices can still work in double NAT, mainly those that have a cloud service in between. For example, nest doorbell should still work in double NAT setup if uPNP are enabled but DMZ disable, as long as the nest doorbell can reach to the google nest cloud server
@littlesoldier: No, option 2 above maintains 4g failback and voice services.
There is never a valid reason for double NAT
Yes, when you setup the Deco, set it to "access point", don't leave it in router mode.
You can turn-off your Wireless radios on the Telstra Smart Modem, use the same SSID's and password on the TPLink so all the devices just move across.
Don't set the Telstra Smart Modem into Bridge mode, or you home phone won't work (assuming you have one), if not then bridge on the Telstra is the easier way to go.
Usually major issue of router mode is the default enable of DHCP
By disabling DHCP and set the router to get It’s own IP from Telstra router DHCP should work. All clients connecting to the secondary router will get the ip address from Telstra router
Besides, double NAT with DMZ onto the secondary router does work for many Telstra nbn users, see this thread: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2782198
Double NAT is the issue, sure for most web browsing will be fine, but WILL and DOES cause issues for many applications. Most particularly anything peer to peer like gaming. Yes if you are technically competent you may find a way for it to work, but Double NAT is not recommended for most applications. Some services like XBox and Playstation will detect a double NAT and fail.
In the same scenario looking at doing the exact same thing you mentioned toyapple9.
Thanks all for the info.
Bought these on eBay for $330 a few days ago! I can confirm that the set-up was done in 5 minutes and I now have 80-90Mbps in the areas of the house where I was getting 9-10Mbps. Also, the Ethernet ports are very useful and provide even better speeds and stability.
Tri-Bands are only recommended for speeds over 450Mbps anything under that these can handle very well!
FYI: These support Wired\Ethernet Backhaul for maximum performance and perform quite well.
Anyone used these on the Optus hfc (modern is FAST5366LTE-A)?
Had a look around in the settings and couldn't see any bridge mode, don't know if there's a superuser login either
Bridge mode from the FAST5366LTE-A isn't used for HFC.
Option 1: Replace the FAST5366LTE-A with the Deco X20.
Option 2: Only turn off the FAST5366LTE-A Wi-Fi. Use this setup if you still need access to Optus 4G fail over and Optus home phone.
I have security lights with wifi and their range is shocking hence I'm exploring better wifi coverage.
What I also haven't connected is a poe cctv setup. I'm planning to stick all the cameras into a 10port poe switch I have bought then run 1 cable into a switch and need about 3 other LAN ports (so 4 in total).
2 desktop pcs + network av receiver + poe switch.
Dunno how or this deco x20 will suit? I was planning to use the Google 3x wifi thingies ($~300 on sale) given they are smart devices and all my stuff is Google (2max nest hubs, mini and Chromecasts on 2 tvs & garage control + light controls).
Specifics matter, such as the bit rate on the cameras. But generally each CAM would push less than 10mbps so 10 would be 100mbps into the TP-Link would be fine. You need to do your own math.
A cheap TP-Link Range Extender with the inbuild Ethernet Port also works fine in your Use case.
Remember WiFi speed drops off with range so your Mesh Units shouldn't be too far apart.
If I was you, I would bust a nut to hard-wire a single ethernet run to your POE switch. In most cases you can just AirTask the work out.
Anyone else read TP and saw toilet rolls in the pic…?
Ha.. now I do..
I have a single-story home and 3 would be overkill.. I am weighing my options between 1 or 2.
Just be mindful that generally mesh won't be as powerful as a standard WiFi point. WiFi speeds drop with distance, so they are less powerful so you can more nodes without interference. Mesh is ideal if you have blackspots, or just areas with lower throughput due to distance. None of that ahh crap, wifi is slow in this room.
Quality mesh systems provide improved signal coverage everywhere…. triband wifi 6 mesh systems are a huge improvement over a single standalone AP from a router..
Thanks @SpamMeNotInOz and @CauseNEffect .. I think I will go with 2 then as my Chromecast keeps on dropping in the last room
Not if you only get 1 mesh unit. Mesh units provide improved signal coverage everywhere through multiple lower powered units. It would be absolutely a waste of money to purchase a single mesh unit, it won't provide nearly the same coverage as the existing unit.
Have the Asus rt86U and an considering replacing with a mesh. Have a good few areas that are weak. would I be better holding in to the 86u and adding these to the set up? Is that even possible l? I'm on a 100/20 HFC connection?
Purchase another Asus router that is compatible with Asus AiMesh.
Don’t do this. AIMesh is one of the most unreliable things on earth.
Is it possible to buy this use 2 units in one house and one in another house? I see they come in packs of 1, 2 or 3
Yes absolutely. Note that the 1 unit can join an existing TP-Link mesh network or start a new network. Be mindful that coverage will be limited with 1 node, but sure it works.
It appears not. A single unit from the 3-pack cannot start a new network (just tried it) but you might be able to use the 1pack "deco router" to start a new network. You also can't use 1 out of the 3 pack as a standalone router. It must be connected to existing router-modem as the main unit.
I would also recommend getting the 3-pack (over 2pk) if unsure as it ensures better coverage in especially double storey homes.
Really keen to buy this but can't get a TGG Commercial Account :(
You can join via G'day rewards (2 years $50), makes sense if you can get your car serviced at My Car (Tyre and Auto) as you save 10% on the service and most tyres (need to book in-store though). They also have Coles fuel discounts that stack ontop of your Coles docket vouchers.
https://www.gdayrewards.com.au/
I would be happy to order for you and on-sell at the same price (+ TGG delivery fee of $8), but you would need to pick it up from the Hills District and pay cash.
I used my mum's Seniors Card to join Senior Shopper then got GGC access
Thank OP, just bought one.
Deal is still going, I purchased one, bloody fast and amazing.
Can it integrate with telstra smart 2 modem? I am repurposing telstra modem for 100/20 fttn nbn more internet plan