New Deco mesh network - can I function without separate router?

K2PO

I installed the TP Link Deco XE5300 mesh wifi system, and now SmartSDR won't run. I get the "Unable to connect to the radio" error.

Nothing else is changed. SmartSDR was working this morning. I pulled the old router and put in the mesh system. And now SmartSDR is not working.

This is not a SmartLink issue. I am in the house with the radio. The computer on which I'm trying to run SmartSDR is on the same network switch as the Flex6500.

In looking at older posts, it seems a fix for this is to put mesh system in bridge mode (TP Link seems to call this Access Point mode). But in that case, the Deco system doesn't assign any addresses; the DHCP server is disabled. So it seems I need to put another device - a separate router - between the modem and the first Mesh Deco device.

Is this correct? The reason given in one post was double-NATting. I don't understand that, as it seems only the Deco system is assigning addresses.

Any help will be appreciated.

/Bill, K2PO
Portland, OR

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Bill

Welcome to networking. The explanation you got is pretty accurate.

I use a few of these Mesh devices and they work perfectly in AP mode.

When you do this, the DHCP service defaults back to the main router and all the devices on the WiFi are all on the same subnet and double natting is removed.

Behavior in AP Mode:

1. Disabling Routing Functions:
   The Deco no longer acts as a router. It disables features like NAT (Network Address Translation), firewall, and its built-in DHCP server.
2. Bridging the Network:
   The Deco AP acts as a bridge, passing all traffic directly to the main router or upstream device for handling. It extends the network's wireless coverage while relying on the upstream router for all network management tasks such as DHCP.
3. Wi-Fi Broadcast:
   The Deco AP provides a Wi-Fi network but does not create its own subnet. Devices connecting to this Wi-Fi network will belong to the same subnet as the upstream router.

When you test this, you will need to power cycle all Wifi devices so they ask for a new IP addresses on the original subnet.

Give it a try.