Very informative instructions and extremely professional production quality! I'll be receiving my deco units in the mail soon, so I am hoping all goes well with this tutorial.
Just watched your review on AXE5300 saying you wouldn't buy any tp-link due to security issues...yet you're reviewing another one here? Is the 3rd party DNS pinging resolved now then?
@worldwide_wes Thank you for watching both videos! 🙏 Funny thing is I'm having trouble finding the 3rd-party traffic to Avira (the security 3rd-party from the AXE5300 video) for this model. I'm not sure if it's fixed or if there's another 3rd-party that it's being routed to, so I'm trying to comb through the logs and trying determine what each ping is for. This is going to take a while...😭
Hi Kim, another great video. What is your opinion of having to use an account through Deco to administer and setup. My concern is you can't turn off remote access and MFA is not used. This is the one thing holding me back from using TP Link.
@dannschlueter4405 Thank you so much for watching another one of my videos! 🙏 As for my opinion on the account to the Deco app, I honestly don't have much concern about this since a login credential is needed for almost all the mesh system app, at least the ones I've tried to far. The reason being is because I think of it like if I have a Nest WiFi pro, I'd use my Google account, which to me is way riskier as it's tied to my emails rather than just a single independent account for the TP-Link Deco app. Of course I can create a separate Google account just for the Nest WiFi pro, but that's besides the main point. Unfortunately, we cannot control if the TP-Link databases leaked our credentials as it can always happens along with any databases. We can only do what we can, which I normally like to change my password every time I set up a new router. Now that I'm thinking about it, I should also practice changing my complex password maybe once or twice a year just to be safe as well. Thanks for giving me the idea! Regarding the concern of turning off the remote access, you can sign out of the app if you don't want to have full-time access and sign into it only when you need to make adjustment as a work around. Of course, it doesn't solve your concern of having an account to the app, but it temporary turns off the remote access from the Deco app on your phone until the next time you sign in again. Good point that they don't have MFA, which they definitely should! Do you know any brand that has MFA for their account? I'd love to look into it!
just ordered a eap773 wifi7 wireless access point. this can be managed using a local account, so no cloud or sign in to tplink account required. as for router, i use pfsense on a separate hardware. so this is one possible solution i found Kim. We also then aren't forced to use the tplink mobile app to manage the device. Even the controller can be self hosted. Not sure if anything gets leaked, but this is as good as it gets in regards to the privacy concern with tplink. The other option is going for a different brand. I couldn't get hold of ubiquiti u7 pro, so i went with this instead. The tplink eap also has mesh, but it's a different mesh tech than the deco, so they are not interchangeable or so i heard.
@AinzOoalG0wn Oh WOW!! Thank you for sharing about EAP773 and your architecture. I'll look into try this in the future! Greatly appreciate! Do you only need one for your home? Or you need to get multiple units to have full coverage avoid dead spot? Thanks again for sharing!
@@kimandtech I bought 1 unit for now to test. The EAP-773 omada wifi7 does support mesh, but i want to test 1 before i consider getting another. I ordered off amazon it should be arriving in a few days. As for client device i bought a brand new Samsung S24 Ultra which is wifi 7 capable. both the ap and client support 320 MHz. Whereas something like a google pixel 8 it stuck at 160 MHz.
@@kimandtech my switch has poe++ but they are all 2.5gbe ports. So i bought a sfp+ 10g base t module which i already installed, but if i use that i won't get poe++ so i would have to use the AC adapter plug to power the ap. Not ideal but it's what will work until i upgrade my switch for a poe++ with 10g base t port which i mad do in the future.
@@AinzOoalG0wn Thanks for the additional details! That sounds so exciting that your new Samsung S24 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 7! I'm using an iPhone 15Pro - no Wi-Fi 7 there. 😅
@@kimandtech actually some bad news. s24 ultra in malaysia does not have working wifi 7. but our neighbour next door, Singapore for the S24 Ultra has working wifi 7. funny thing is, other brand of phones HAVE working wifi7. No explanation by samsung. Same thing occured for wifi6e and 6GHz. apperantly same situation where it was working in SG but not in MY. this was up to a few months ago. But now wifi6e and 6GHz is working in Malaysia for samsung smartphones that support it in the hardware. But now, the same problem is occuring for wifi7. Not sure if there is a firmware update to enable it or not. Samsung is mum on it and leaving users in the dark. On their website they do list wifi BE which is wifi 7 in the spec sheet.... so 😢
Kim what is your thoughts on running the Deco Mesh in ap mode only? Meaning for router i use my existing pfsense. but for the tplink deco mesh i only use for wifi using the ap mode only. Is privacy improved in ap mode? or are you still similarly in the same bad situation in that regard 🤔
Great question! I’m not sure to be honest. I’d say it may improve the privacy because certain features are disabled when on AP mode. Here’s a list of features not supported on AP mode. www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2399/ Maybe when I get a chance to buy another Router, then I can put this model on AP mode to test.
@@kimandtech ty kim. i heard deco might be releasing a BE63 or BE65 POE model (which is a triband). based on pricing and performance for wired/wireless backhaul for a wireless access point with roaming that just works, i'm very tempted to get the poe version of this. They do have the omada series which does seem to not require logging into tplink (though you still can if you want to), but it's way more pricier than the deco series. I was looking at the Ubiquiti U7 Pro, but based on the reviews it doesn't do well for roaming, and the 6ghz was bad. and they had some sort of vpn bug. 🥲 no choice i guess....
@@AinzOoalG0wn I did look into the Omada models, and they’re more for Business than Home, which might explain the extra cost.😄 I haven’t looked into Ubiquity, but I have heard of them. Thank you for sharing!
@@kimandtech i did look at the ubiquiti U7 Pro, but the 6hz, roaming and vpn performed poorly. So then the choice was to the BE65 Deco (which is the same as the BE63 which is marketed to the US where you probably are. 65 is for asia). There is a POE version supposedly out end of this year or something, that is the one i am looking at. It has 5gbe multigig vs the be65 2.5gbe port. Doesn't seem to be any other good options when tallying in price, performance, availability. Also i noticed for AMD ryzen systems, doesn't seem possible to add wifi7? at least not when trying to use the intel wifi7 pcie addon cards. That in itself is one whole topic x-x; So yeah 2024 doesn't seem like the best year to be getting a wifi7 unless u have to buy an ap.
@samuelcollie2050 - Yes. If you are using a cable modem/router, you should be able to use this Mesh Router Systems by connecting this via a Ethernet cable to your modem/router.
I noticed your wireless stuff is usually the table top ones you can place them on. Have you tried the wireless acces points? e.g. Ubiquiti, or tplink etc? Even if you can't do the drilling in your home ceiling, you can do an alternative installation setup which i did for myself. 3M double sided adhesive tape strips. You use these to stick the wireless ap mounting to the ceiling, it should be able to support the weight so it won't drop down on your head and smash. Next is cabling. Ideally you want poe+ or poe++ aps. So you can then use a single ethernet cable to power them. My wifi7 ap uses poe++ using a 10gbe port, but my switch only has poe++ 2.5gbe ports. So i went with a DC power cable extender about 20 meters in length. The cat6a ethernet cable is also 20 meters. This should be enough to wired from floor where server network rack is, to the ceiling where the AP is located. Next you want the cable concealer. I went with a PVC one, looks solid nice and clean. Medium size can fit the 2 cables i needed to run it through. This cable concealer also has double sided 3m adhesive strips attached to it, so you can stick them to the wall and ceiling without it dropping. ☺
@AinzOoalG0wn Yeah, I'm kind of limited due to not being able to use a wireless access points. The mounting isn't much of a problem. It's the cabling. It's kind of hard with our current living conditions, but eventually I really do want to have wired connections - especially for my computer setup or TV. It will definitely be at our next place because It's a goal of mine. 😁 I really appreciate it that you're sharing with me how you have yours setup. Your suggestion will definitely come in handy! 👍 Thank you so much!!! 🙏
Very GOOD ! Very NICE looking ! BUT USD949.99 hohoho~~~~~~~~~~ not for me . May be BE65 wifi 7 Tri Band 3-pack is enough for me to cover 2000sq/ft. 👍👍👍👍
can these deco's set vlan tags similar to ubiquiti unifi? just wondering 🤔 I'm assuming this would be located under advanced option if it exists. nice video by the way.
The option is there, but I think it depends on the model and/or ISP because I cannot enable that feature on the Deco app. www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2465/
Very informative instructions and extremely professional production quality! I'll be receiving my deco units in the mail soon, so I am hoping all goes well with this tutorial.
@JMSipe-yu3up Thank you for the kind comment! I hope you have a smooth setup!
For the TP Link BE65 and they are utterly brilliant!
Glad to hear!!
will stay tuned
Just watched your review on AXE5300 saying you wouldn't buy any tp-link due to security issues...yet you're reviewing another one here? Is the 3rd party DNS pinging resolved now then?
@worldwide_wes Thank you for watching both videos! 🙏
Funny thing is I'm having trouble finding the 3rd-party traffic to Avira (the security 3rd-party from the AXE5300 video) for this model. I'm not sure if it's fixed or if there's another 3rd-party that it's being routed to, so I'm trying to comb through the logs and trying determine what each ping is for. This is going to take a while...😭
@@kimandtech Is there a security concern or not?
@@manikdesilva1 Haven’t found any yet
Same. If you were that concerned with that they did the first time then why would you give them another chance… sus
@@cppctek Things change over time, so I'm open to giving it another chance. Plus, I can always return it if there's an issue.
Hi Kim, another great video. What is your opinion of having to use an account through Deco to administer and setup. My concern is you can't turn off remote access and MFA is not used. This is the one thing holding me back from using TP Link.
@dannschlueter4405 Thank you so much for watching another one of my videos! 🙏
As for my opinion on the account to the Deco app, I honestly don't have much concern about this since a login credential is needed for almost all the mesh system app, at least the ones I've tried to far. The reason being is because I think of it like if I have a Nest WiFi pro, I'd use my Google account, which to me is way riskier as it's tied to my emails rather than just a single independent account for the TP-Link Deco app. Of course I can create a separate Google account just for the Nest WiFi pro, but that's besides the main point.
Unfortunately, we cannot control if the TP-Link databases leaked our credentials as it can always happens along with any databases. We can only do what we can, which I normally like to change my password every time I set up a new router. Now that I'm thinking about it, I should also practice changing my complex password maybe once or twice a year just to be safe as well. Thanks for giving me the idea!
Regarding the concern of turning off the remote access, you can sign out of the app if you don't want to have full-time access and sign into it only when you need to make adjustment as a work around. Of course, it doesn't solve your concern of having an account to the app, but it temporary turns off the remote access from the Deco app on your phone until the next time you sign in again.
Good point that they don't have MFA, which they definitely should! Do you know any brand that has MFA for their account? I'd love to look into it!
Hi Kim, Google has MFA if you use nest wifi pro.
just ordered a eap773 wifi7 wireless access point. this can be managed using a local account, so no cloud or sign in to tplink account required. as for router, i use pfsense on a separate hardware. so this is one possible solution i found Kim. We also then aren't forced to use the tplink mobile app to manage the device. Even the controller can be self hosted.
Not sure if anything gets leaked, but this is as good as it gets in regards to the privacy concern with tplink.
The other option is going for a different brand. I couldn't get hold of ubiquiti u7 pro, so i went with this instead.
The tplink eap also has mesh, but it's a different mesh tech than the deco, so they are not interchangeable or so i heard.
@AinzOoalG0wn Oh WOW!! Thank you for sharing about EAP773 and your architecture. I'll look into try this in the future! Greatly appreciate!
Do you only need one for your home? Or you need to get multiple units to have full coverage avoid dead spot?
Thanks again for sharing!
@@kimandtech I bought 1 unit for now to test. The EAP-773 omada wifi7 does support mesh, but i want to test 1 before i consider getting another. I ordered off amazon it should be arriving in a few days. As for client device i bought a brand new Samsung S24 Ultra which is wifi 7 capable. both the ap and client support 320 MHz. Whereas something like a google pixel 8 it stuck at 160 MHz.
@@kimandtech my switch has poe++ but they are all 2.5gbe ports. So i bought a sfp+ 10g base t module which i already installed, but if i use that i won't get poe++ so i would have to use the AC adapter plug to power the ap. Not ideal but it's what will work until i upgrade my switch for a poe++ with 10g base t port which i mad do in the future.
@@AinzOoalG0wn Thanks for the additional details! That sounds so exciting that your new Samsung S24 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 7! I'm using an iPhone 15Pro - no Wi-Fi 7 there. 😅
@@kimandtech actually some bad news. s24 ultra in malaysia does not have working wifi 7. but our neighbour next door, Singapore for the S24 Ultra has working wifi 7.
funny thing is, other brand of phones HAVE working wifi7. No explanation by samsung.
Same thing occured for wifi6e and 6GHz. apperantly same situation where it was working in SG but not in MY. this was up to a few months ago. But now wifi6e and 6GHz is working in Malaysia for samsung smartphones that support it in the hardware. But now, the same problem is occuring for wifi7. Not sure if there is a firmware update to enable it or not. Samsung is mum on it and leaving users in the dark.
On their website they do list wifi BE which is wifi 7 in the spec sheet.... so 😢
Kim what is your thoughts on running the Deco Mesh in ap mode only? Meaning for router i use my existing pfsense. but for the tplink deco mesh i only use for wifi using the ap mode only.
Is privacy improved in ap mode? or are you still similarly in the same bad situation in that regard 🤔
Great question! I’m not sure to be honest. I’d say it may improve the privacy because certain features are disabled when on AP mode.
Here’s a list of features not supported on AP mode.
www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2399/
Maybe when I get a chance to buy another Router, then I can put this model on AP mode to test.
@@kimandtech ty kim. i heard deco might be releasing a BE63 or BE65 POE model (which is a triband). based on pricing and performance for wired/wireless backhaul for a wireless access point with roaming that just works, i'm very tempted to get the poe version of this.
They do have the omada series which does seem to not require logging into tplink (though you still can if you want to), but it's way more pricier than the deco series.
I was looking at the Ubiquiti U7 Pro, but based on the reviews it doesn't do well for roaming, and the 6ghz was bad. and they had some sort of vpn bug.
🥲 no choice i guess....
@@AinzOoalG0wn I did look into the Omada models, and they’re more for Business than Home, which might explain the extra cost.😄
I haven’t looked into Ubiquity, but I have heard of them. Thank you for sharing!
@@kimandtech i did look at the ubiquiti U7 Pro, but the 6hz, roaming and vpn performed poorly. So then the choice was to the BE65 Deco (which is the same as the BE63 which is marketed to the US where you probably are. 65 is for asia). There is a POE version supposedly out end of this year or something, that is the one i am looking at. It has 5gbe multigig vs the be65 2.5gbe port.
Doesn't seem to be any other good options when tallying in price, performance, availability.
Also i noticed for AMD ryzen systems, doesn't seem possible to add wifi7? at least not when trying to use the intel wifi7 pcie addon cards. That in itself is one whole topic x-x;
So yeah 2024 doesn't seem like the best year to be getting a wifi7 unless u have to buy an ap.
Can u show step by step, how to connect all devices to vpn on deco mesh wfi product ?
@AweSome-m5f Thank you for your request. I'll consider it as a potential video in the future. 🙂
I have a cable modem with router. Can these be set up using the cable modem/router?
@samuelcollie2050 - Yes. If you are using a cable modem/router, you should be able to use this Mesh Router Systems by connecting this via a Ethernet cable to your modem/router.
I noticed your wireless stuff is usually the table top ones you can place them on. Have you tried the wireless acces points? e.g. Ubiquiti, or tplink etc?
Even if you can't do the drilling in your home ceiling, you can do an alternative installation setup which i did for myself.
3M double sided adhesive tape strips. You use these to stick the wireless ap mounting to the ceiling, it should be able to support the weight so it won't drop down on your head and smash.
Next is cabling. Ideally you want poe+ or poe++ aps. So you can then use a single ethernet cable to power them. My wifi7 ap uses poe++ using a 10gbe port, but my switch only has poe++ 2.5gbe ports. So i went with a DC power cable extender about 20 meters in length. The cat6a ethernet cable is also 20 meters. This should be enough to wired from floor where server network rack is, to the ceiling where the AP is located.
Next you want the cable concealer. I went with a PVC one, looks solid nice and clean. Medium size can fit the 2 cables i needed to run it through. This cable concealer also has double sided 3m adhesive strips attached to it, so you can stick them to the wall and ceiling without it dropping.
☺
@AinzOoalG0wn Yeah, I'm kind of limited due to not being able to use a wireless access points. The mounting isn't much of a problem. It's the cabling. It's kind of hard with our current living conditions, but eventually I really do want to have wired connections - especially for my computer setup or TV. It will definitely be at our next place because It's a goal of mine. 😁
I really appreciate it that you're sharing with me how you have yours setup. Your suggestion will definitely come in handy! 👍 Thank you so much!!! 🙏
Very GOOD !
Very NICE looking !
BUT USD949.99 hohoho~~~~~~~~~~ not for me . May be BE65 wifi 7 Tri Band 3-pack is enough for me to cover 2000sq/ft. 👍👍👍👍
@michelwong1 Definitely a hefty price. 🤑
can these deco's set vlan tags similar to ubiquiti unifi? just wondering 🤔 I'm assuming this would be located under advanced option if it exists. nice video by the way.
The option is there, but I think it depends on the model and/or ISP because I cannot enable that feature on the Deco app.
www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2465/