Difference between revisions of "Recommended Routers/Deco M9 Plus"

Latest revision as of 11:16, 26 February 2020

! Important XMission has done testing and has verified that TP-Link Deco M9 Plus is supported on the XMission/UTOPIA Network. XMission has verified that this device supports internet speeds up to 1Gbps over Ethernet Connections, Wireless speeds averaged between 50-500Mbps. Our testing is done in a business set up with high interference cause by; brick/metal walls, large electronic equipment and networking equipment. Your interaction with this device may differ from ours based on your home configuration and placement of the Deco Nodes.

TP-LINK Deco M9 Plus

TP-Link Deco M9 Plus is available as a Wireless Mesh Network, however users can use a single node or multiple depending on the size of your home and needs. You are able to set up secondary nodes Wireless or Ethernet to expand your home network. Typically a 3 pack system will cover up to 6,500 square feet with fast and secure WiFi coverage with no limit to the number of devices you have. The Deco can also work as a Smart Home Hub for TP-Link Smart Home Devices.

What is a Mesh Network?

Mesh Network allows you to have more than one in-home routers called "nodes". These nodes connect directly and dynamically to each-other using a dedicated radio creating a single unified network. This makes it easier for you to move through your home and not have to switch from network to network if using "Wireless Extenders". The mesh technology automatically switches your device from node to node with less than a 0.3 second response. Typically this means you notice no additional buffering or lag when moving from room to room.

Deco M9 Plus App

Notice: The TP-Link Deco devices require use of a Smart Phone and App to set up and manage your home network.

Access your Smart Phone's App Store and search for the TP-Link Deco App or

From your App Sore you'll need to Get/Install the TP-Link Deco Application. This should be published by TP-LINK Technologies Co., LTD	We suggest not to minimize or close the App Store during Download and Installation of the App.	Once the Deco App is installed you should be able to "Open" the app from the store.

Set up App

The Deco App allows you to set up and manage your WiFi Network. The following instructions will allow you to receive "Notifications", Set up and Manage your home network.

Tap on "Allow". This will let you get notified of any changes to your home network.	Ensure "check-marks" are selected after you read the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and User Experience. If you disagree with any of these items, please contact TP-Link Directly for additional assistance.

TP-Link ID Setup

Router Manufacture require you to set up an "account" with their service before you can use the equipment. This ID is typically used for Password Resets in-case users are unable to log into to the router software to manage their network. Our instructions are if you've never used a TP-Link product before.

1- From the Welcome to Deco page you will want to locate the "Sign Up" link and tap on it.	2- Please enter a valid Email Address you have access to. We recommend using a unique password that is a min of 12 characters containing, Capitals, Numbers and Special Icons. Ensure "check-marks" are selected after you read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Receiving email's is optional. If you disagree with any of these items, please contact TP-Link Directly for additional assistance.	3- TP-Link will send a verification email to the email address provided. You are unable to continue until you verify the email.	4- You can close the Deco App to access your Email App or use a different device. Once you've access the email from TP-Link. Please click on the "Click to Finish Registration" button. If you disagree with any of these items, please contact TP-Link Directly for additional assistance.	5- After you have verified your TP-Link ID, you can return to the Deco App and see the "Activated & Log In" button will be highlighted blue.

First Time Set up

Log In

Using the Email Address for your TP-Link ID and Password created in prior section you will be able to Log In.	The Deco App uses your Smart Phones Wifi and Bluetooth features to setup its nodes. You will need to authorize the App to have access to those functions.

Setting up Main Node

1- From the "Paint Your Home in Wi-Fi" screen, simply click "LET's BEGIN".	2- The Deco App is used for multiple models, for our example we are using the M9 Plus.	3- You will need a Single Node, Power Adapter and Ethernet Cable.
4- XMission/UTOPIA does not have a physical Modem. PLEASE do not remove the power to the UTOPIA Equipment.	5- Connect the provided Ethernet Cable to your Utopia Equipment (Typically GE1) and one of the 2 ports on the Deco. Plug the Deco into a Surge Protector.	6- Look for the LED Light on the top of the Deco and verify the light pulses blue.
7- While the Deco App is looking for the node please do not close or minimize the app. This will stop the setup of your equipment.	8- Using your Smart Phone's Bluetooth function, it should connect to the node to complete its setup.	9- For management we recommend to use a valid "location" of where the nodes are installed. Please use "Custom" if the provided locations do not work.
10 -Deco uses smart detection to determine what type of internet connection you have. By default XMission Residential connections are Dynamic (DHCP)	11- Verify that the Connection Type is selected as Dynamic IP. If you have requested a different type of connection, the Deco does support PPPoE and Static.	12- TP-Link and XMission strongly Recommends to use the Default MAC Address and do not set up Custom MAC Addressing. This is for Advanced Networking that may not be supported.
13- Now that your Deco is connected to the Internet you'll need to set up your custom WiFi Network.	14- Please enter a Network Name (SSID) and a Password (Passphrase used to connect your devices to your WiFi).	15- Your Deco is saving the configuration provided and setting it up so your WiFi enabled devices can connect.
16- Once your WiFi Network has been created the Deco App will provide you a verification screen of its settings. We recommend writing this information down or take a screenshot on your Smart Phone.	17- Most Smart Phones will be prompted to auto connect to the WiFi Network to continue and complete the setup of your Deco System.	18- Once your Smart Phone is connected to the Network you'll be advise the Dec System is Online and ready to use.

Adding Nodes

Adding additional nodes is what will complete the mesh network allowing you to expand your home network and closing up "Dead WiFi Areas". In our example we will show you how to add a node after setting up your main node and completing the setup with out adding nodes at the beginning.

When setting up the mesh nodes its important to note that, these nodes are only able to expand your service based on what they receive from your main receiver. We suggest to set up a single node first and using a Computer or Mobile device and use a Speedtest App to find the room(s) in your house where you are getting approx 50% of your original service. This is where you'll want to install your secondary nodes.

After you open your Deco App you'll need to locate the Add Device icon a the top right hand corner and tap on it.	We will be adding new Deco devices, please tap on "DECOS"	The Deco App is used for multiple models, for our example we are using the M9 Plus.
After finding where you plan on setting up the secondary node, you will want to select what floor(s) you are going to be setting up.	You will need a Single Node, Power Adapter and Ethernet Cable. Plug the Deco into a Surge Protector and look for the LED Light on the top of the Deco and verify the light pulses blue. Once the LED is pulsing blue you will click on "DECO'S LED IS PULSING BLUE"	The secondary node will use your phone's WiFi functionality to search your WiFi Network for the main receiver and connect to it. Once it has connected to the main node it will automatically copy its configuration and complete its set up.
For management we recommend to use a valid "location" of where the nodes are installed. Please use "Custom" if the provided locations do not work.	After providing a location of the secondary node, it will set up a new device in your home network and connect automatically.	Once the secondary node has finished connecting to your WiFi Network you will be advised the connection is complete. You'l be able to repeat this process if you are installing any other nodes or click "I'M DONE FOR NOW".

Troubleshooting

LED Color Code's

Supported Internet Types

The TP-Link Deco M9 Plus does support a number of other type of connections. XMission Supports the following types

XMission only supports Dynamic (DHCP) Default Connection Type	For XMission PPPoE Connections you will use your XMission UserID and Password	For XMission Static IP Address you will need to enter your XMission Subnet Information as provided.

Update Firmware

Firmware is an important part of router maintenance and the best way to ensure that your router(s) can perform at its best. Most interfaces will give notices of when a firmware update is available, the TP-Link Deco App is one that does tell you if a firmware update can be downloaded and installed. If you are noticing that you have slow speeds, poor performance and/or regular drops or disconnects this can resolve this issue.

1- From the Deco App Home screen you should see a Notification Bar indicating an update is available.	2- After Clicking on "Update Now" the app will check all your Deco nodes and let you update them all at once.	3- You will get a confirmation of updates available and what will be updated with this firmware. Once you have reviewed the updates you can simply click on " DOWNLOAD FIRMWARE".
4- You should be prompted with a confirmation. Please be aware that your WiFi Network may go offline a few times during the download and install.	5- Depending on the size of the update the download can take a few minutes. Please do not minimize or close out of the TP-Link Deco App.	6- Once the Firmware is downloaded to each node, you will need to approve the install by clicking on "INSTALL"
7- You should be prompted with a confirmation. Please be aware that your WiFi Network may go offline a few times during the download and install.	8- The Update should start installing and reboot your Deco nodes. Please do not minimize or close out of the TP-Link Deco App.	9- After each node has been updated, rebooted and come back online you should be advised updates are completed.

Speed Concerns

TP-Link Deco has a built in App SpeedTest that will test the connection from the Main node to your UTOPIA Connection. Please be aware that speed tests can very depending on the firmware currently running on your Deco. If you are using older firmware you are unable to specify a server to test against and XMission can not verify the location of where the tests are running against.

To Run a Internet Speed Test:

1. Open the Deco App.
2. Tap on the More Icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on "Test Internet Speed".
4. Tap on "Change Test Server".
5. Please select "XMission" or "UTOPIA Fiber" as your test server.
6. Tap "Next" at the top right.

   This will start running a SpeedTest between the router and XMission or UTOPIA's Servers.

7. Once complete you'll get a read out of Download and Upload Speeds.

! Important: Please note that custom settings such as Quality of Service (QOS), Parental Controls, and Firewall/Antivirus software can affect the speeds. XMission and UTOPIA recommends testing speeds with a computer directly connected to the UTOPIA Equipment.

Staff's Pro and Con's

Please remember that each user's experience can change from configuration to configuration.

Pro's

1. Easy to setup and configure.
2. Seamless transition from Node to Node through out a large home.
3. Most devices are supported no matter the age or operating system.
4. Manage your network from anywhere using the TP-Link Deco App.

Con's

1. App based interface only, unable to manage network via computer.
2. User interface is still being developed and you have limited control such as:

1. Unable to manually choose Wireless Channels.
2. Unable to turn off QoS (Quality of Service).