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Improving home WiFi coverage/drop outs/third party router

Joel-C
3: Seeker
3: Seeker

‎11-01-2022 07:02 PM - edited ‎11-01-2022 07:33 PM

Hi there,

I have been reading many of the threads on the forum and just wondered if you could give me some advice about my home WiFi set up. I am looking to improve my home WiFi due to poor connectivity in some of the rooms and fairly frequent drop outs. I currently use the THG3000 only. 

 

I was initially going to pick up a combination modem/router (TP Link VR2100) then use a TP link mesh extender or two. However, I have now seen the TP Link Deco X20 DSL https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/deco-x20-dsl/ which looks like it could be the perfect solution to the modem/router split difficulties I have read about. Also comes with WiFi6 and mesh capabilities to boot! 

 

First question is if this will work as a replacement for the THG3000 which I can then add mesh extenders to? Second question is that I can't seem to find a supplier with stock of the Deco X20 DSL, does anyone know if this is because it is new or if it has been discontinued? Such a shame as I can't seem to find anything else which comes close to ticking as many boxes as this seems to? 

 

Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks

0 Thanks
5 REPLIES 5

Jayach
16: Advanced member
16: Advanced member

‎11-01-2022 09:35 PM

It has been mentioned on the forum before, and does sound like it may be the perfect answer. however there has been no feedback on how well it works.

As for availability, it is very new (as far as I know) and they seem to be only on pre order at the moment. (probably stuck in a slow boat from China)

This is the previous post, perhaps ask that poster what they did?

DECO X20-DSL with Vodafone Superfast - Community home

Joel-C
3: Seeker
3: Seeker
In response to Jayach

‎11-01-2022 10:21 PM

Thanks for the response and signpost, will ask on that thread.

Hope the stock arrives soon! 

Cheers! 

0 Thanks

HappyNomad
15: Advanced member
15: Advanced member
In response to Joel-C

‎12-01-2022 10:15 AM

@Joel-C wrote:

Thanks for the response and signpost, will ask on that thread.

Hope the stock arrives soon! 

Cheers! 

The modem/router appears to be the impossible to find component…. BroadbandBuyer suggest on their site that they expect stock towards the end of this month (ETA 25th Jan).  
The 'add on' nodes are not so difficult to find though (here for example) and they will work (in AP or bridge mode rather than in router mode) with your existing THG3000 with its wifi switched off.*

 

The X20 stuff has been around for a while - it was reviewed here by PC Magazine who awarded it 3½ stars out of 5.

 

* I created my mesh system by initially starting with three mesh nodes running in AP mode with the THG3000 and then soon after, adding a mesh router to replace the THG3000.

Joel-C
3: Seeker
3: Seeker
In response to HappyNomad

‎12-01-2022 12:05 PM

Thanks for the response.

Interesting to see you used the THG3000 with the mesh nodes. Have read that doing it like this might cause issues with double NATing? This is why I thought about replacing the modem/router with the X20 DSL. Did you experience any issues with double NAT? Do you think I'd be better served by going for better mesh nodes and running them with the THG3000? My issue is not about getting more speed but is about getting more coverage around the house.  

Thanks  

0 Thanks

HappyNomad
15: Advanced member
15: Advanced member
In response to Joel-C

‎12-01-2022 12:39 PM - edited ‎12-01-2022 12:42 PM

@Joel-C wrote:

Thanks for the response.

Interesting to see you used the THG3000 with the mesh nodes. Have read that doing it like this might cause issues with double NATing? This is why I thought about replacing the modem/router with the X20 DSL. Did you experience any issues with double NAT? Do you think I'd be better served by going for better mesh nodes and running them with the THG3000? My issue is not about getting more speed but is about getting more coverage around the house.  

Thanks  

@Joel-C wrote:

Thanks for the response.

Interesting to see you used the THG3000 with the mesh nodes. Have read that doing it like this might cause issues with double NATing? This is why I thought about replacing the modem/router with the X20 DSL. Did you experience any issues with double NAT? Do you think I'd be better served by going for better mesh nodes and running them with the THG3000? My issue is not about getting more speed but is about getting more coverage around the house.  

Thanks  

The double NATing only occurs if a router is hooked up to a router and both devices are operating as routers - as is generally the case when two ISP routers are used to extend range… 


…Using mesh devices in AP mode (rather than Router mode) completely eliminates the router/router issues as your THG remains in sole control of all router functions, DHCP, DNS and NAT etc. while the mesh device(s) deal with wifi.

 

Have a read through this thread which also concerns a Deco mesh set-up (Deco M4) but in brief, you will be fine using your THG3000 with the Deco mesh kit set up in AP mode… that is the key thing, Deco kit set up in AP mode, not in modem mode.