Deco X73 DSL as Modem

[SimonGA]

Hi

I’ve had a Deco mesh network from before I moved to Vodafone, and have been using it with Vodafone and their provided router for over a year with no problem (wifi disabled). However I wasn’t happy with the config (double NAT etc) or the fact I couldn’t use many of the Deco features.

So I purchased an X73 DSL, and have managed to replace the Vodafone modem/router. All is good, apart from the fact it’s noticeably slower, to the point it’s now difficult to work. This is the case with all the extra security features disabled (Web Protection, Intrusion Prevention etc).

Is there something wrong with my settings (see attached)? It seems to have set various “auto” settings, but when I change them to what seems to be the correct actual setting, it stops working altogether.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Simon

 

 

[Jayach]

There does seem to be some problem with the DSL configuration in the Deco.

Rather than try to correct it I would just start again.

Make sure the Deco has the latest firmware, factory reset, and let the Deco discover the line configuration for itself, all it should need from you are the username and password.

After that, do not make any changes to the the DSL settings and see how it goes.

[Jayach]

Addendum to above, perhaps as @Ripshod suggests, try with it in the test socket, just in case there is some problem with your wiring, that the Vodafone router was handling better than the Deco. (O.K. unlikely, but lets eliminate the possibility)

[SimonGA]

Morning all

So I had a fun night setting everything up from scratch again, once with the filter and once without the filter.

Both times there is a very slight improvement at first, but still unusable on my work laptop. Then if I enable Homeshield (without enabling any functionality like IP, WP etc) it gets even worse. Each time the same DSL settings (2 db etc).

So I’ve changed my big new shiny X73 to a dumb AP behind the Vodafone router, and I get completely different DSL settings and everything works fine. So I guess I’ll just have to live with the minor issues and accept that I’ve wasted cash when i could have just added a cheap M5 to extend the network to the garage better?

Anyway, here are the settings from the Vodafone if any of you can work out what may be happening!

DSL Status Information

DSL Mode

ITU-T G.993.2_Annex_B (VDSL2)

DSL Uptime

3 minutes and 41 seconds

Line Coding

DMT

Status

Connected

Number of Cuts

0

Link Power State

L0

Line Quality

  Downstream Upstream

Current Rate	31056 kbps	3695 kbps
Maximum Rate	31293 kbps	4105 kbps
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	6.3 dB	7 dB
Attenuation	DS1 19.0 dB, DS2 59.0 dB, DS3 90.3 dB	US0 8.6 dB, US1 56.9 dB, US2 80.0 dB
Power	12.8 dBm	6.9 dBm
CRC Errors in last 3 minute(s)	0	0
K (number of bytes in DMT frame)	0	0
R (number of bytes in RS code word)	10	16
S (RS code word size in DMT frame)	0.2335	0.9508
D (interleaver depth)	4	1
Delay	0 ms	0 ms

  Downstream Upstream

Super Frames	0	12915
Super Frame Errors	0	0
RS Words	3771052	929843
RS Correctable Errors	20	0
RS Uncorrectable Errors	0	0

  Downstream Upstream

HEC Errors	0	0
OCD Errors	0	0
LCD Errors	0	0
Total Cells	13257941	0
Data Cells	827443	0
Bit Errors	0	0

  Downstream Upstream

Total ES	0	0
Total SES	0	0
Total UAS	89	89

[SimonGA]

I’ll raise a ticket with Tp-Link as I guess it’s an issue with the DSL negotiation on the X73… 

[SimonGA]

Mmmm … I just found this thread…

https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/571492

[Jayach · Accepted solution]

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@SimonGA wrote:

Mmmm … I just found this thread…

https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/571492

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Good find, looks like it is the HomeShield Security, even if it appears to be off. Hope you get a reply to your query there.

[SimonGA]

Thank you Jayach. Yes the Deco kit is really good in so many ways, and I’m sure there must be a solution. As these things get more sophisticated from a security perspective there is always more chance that the different layers will conflict.

I’ll see if we can get the Zscaler client at work upgraded to v4 as that seems to be one solution. Anyway many thanks to you and the others here for your advice and support, it’s been really helpful. 

[CrimsonLiar]

My comments on Zscalar are unsuitable for public forums!  It is why I no longer access my works systems remotely either from home or on my mobile phone!

[SimonGA]

In case anyone is interested, Tp Link gave me a firmware update which seems to have solved the problem. I’ve no idea what the issue is, but it seems to be some kind of conflict between the Deco DSL and either Zscaler or the way we have SSO/Adfs setup. The issue is mainly with SSO protected sites, so potentially the latter (although maybe a combination of all three).

[Jayach]

Strangely the up speed is slightly worse on the Vodafone router, and much worse than the Openreach checker would suggest it should be. Might be worth trying to get Vodafone to call out Openreach so they can check it. (unlikely to happen though as the speed guarantee is on download speed)

But all in all I think it proves the problem is not with the DSL side of the Deco. (despite the odd 2db reading)

You mention the HomeShield Security, and as the things you have mentioned as being most problematic are security type services, is it possible they  are "clashing". Can HomeShield Security be turned off completely in the Deco?