TP-LINK Deco M5 WiFi mesh system / Spark NZ VLAN

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chrisrnz

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#270463 10-May-2020 19:43

Hey everyone!

I'm new here! Geekzone has helped me so much in the past so I figured I'd join the community in hope I can contribute positively using my knowledge. It just so happens I've hit a little snag as well that I'm just not getting anywhere with - I hope someone can help. I have seen a closely related forum post on the matter but I'm not so sure if it will definitely help so I thought I'd try my luck and actually make a post!

So, in my home, I have been using a fibre connection through Spark NZ using a Spark router that connects to the ONT Fibre box on the wall. I recently decided to purchase the TP-LINK Deco M5 WiFi mesh network and I was hoping to connect it directly to the ONT Fibre box. When I tried to do that, it just failed, the Deco couldn't pick up an internet connection. Everyone I spoke to (Spark, some friends of mine that understand this stuff well) either couldn't help or they said to just connect the Deco to the Spark router. I found that kind of pointless to be honest, I want a simple minimalist set up. Nonetheless, I connected it like this and it works fine:

ONT Fibre Box > Spark Router > Deco 1 > Deco 2 > Deco 3

There's an ethernet connection between Deco 1 and Deco 2.

I would like to set it up like this:

ONT Fibre Box > Deco 1 > Deco 2 > Deco 3

My understanding is that it's possible but you need to use the information from the Spark website on setting up a non-spark router.

My question is mainly around how exactly I input all this information now that I've set up the Deco system with the router. Do I plug Deco 1 into the ONT and then simply adjust the settings in the TP-LINK app's advanced settings? Or do I need to reset everything and start again and, in which case, how do I actually get to the advanced settings to enter this information in if the Wifi network hasn't been created?

Thank you so much in advance for your help. I'm hoping to get a bit of direction here and to contribute to the collective intelligence of this community in the future!

Chris R

shk292

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#2480810 10-May-2020 20:14

I have the same system, but I'm on Slingshot. I have mine connected directly to the ONT. The setup was all done through the app, and was easy enough I think (a year or so ago now). Just need to make sure that you set up PPOE or DHCP correctly, select VLAN 10 if required for Spark, and enter your credentials. I think there's a setting somewhere for "NZ UFB" or similar.

It is frustrating that the ISPs say to connect these and Google Home etc to the ISP router, because if you do that you lose a lot of the cool features of these devices.

I would be inclined to factory reset the device, and then go through the setup from scratch using the app.

Feel free to PM me if you get stuck

chrisrnz

2 posts

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#2480815 10-May-2020 20:26

shk292:
I have the same system, but I'm on Slingshot. I have mine connected directly to the ONT. The setup was all done through the app, and was easy enough I think (a year or so ago now). Just need to make sure that you set up PPOE or DHCP correctly, select VLAN 10 if required for Spark, and enter your credentials. I think there's a setting somewhere for "NZ UFB" or similar.

It is frustrating that the ISPs say to connect these and Google Home etc to the ISP router, because if you do that you lose a lot of the cool features of these devices.

I would be inclined to factory reset the device, and then go through the setup from scratch using the app.

Feel free to PM me if you get stuck

Thank you! That's a bit clearer actually. I'll likely wait until next weekend before I do that as there's a few people working from home at the moment and I don't want to mess with anything too much!

I agree that it's frustrating that they suggest the router as a solution. It seems like they opt for that as their solution because it's just easier to explain than taking their customers through the correct steps to begin with. When I was first setting it up, I wasn't totally sure if I used Dynamic IP / Static IP and Spark NZ told me to contact TP-LINK to find out... I was like, really... TP-LINK don't know what type of IP addresses Spark NZ customer's use.

I initially wanted to go with Google Nest WiFi but I read online that it doesn't support VLAN Tagging which is why I went with the Deco M5. I can use it but I have to go through the router. It surprises me that Google wouldn't include this functionality.

Thanks again for your help!

liferocks

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#3013150 22-Dec-2022 16:12

I have just set up my Tp-Link Deco M5 to connect directly to the ONT with Spark NZ fibre.

I did it like this:

In the Deco app click on the 'more' menu and 'internet connection'.

Then change the internet connection type to 'PPPoE' and add the generic username & password as per the spark setup page ('user @ spark .co.nz & password but can be anything except blank).

Click 'Save', then back out of the 'internet connection' menu and click on the 'Advanced' menu.

Under 'advanced' select 'IPTV/VLAN' enable it and under 'ISP Profile' select 'New Zealand UFB' this automatically selects VLAN ID to 10 and priority to 0.

Click 'Save', then it is all setup.

Plug the main Deco M5 directly into the ONT instead of the ISP supplied router.

At this point I rebooted the ONT, but I suspect this is not necessary.

Then the internet worked without the ISP supplied router.

Note: the Deco app was already setup & connected to my M5 units & they were already in 'Wi-Fi Router' mode rather than 'Access Point' mode.

networkn

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#3013151 22-Dec-2022 16:16

What @liferocks said, do the Deco to the ONT. We did this for a customer just yesterday.

Two things to note. Username and password for pppoe can be anything. spark@spark.co.nz

Password spark.

The big thing is VLAN10 otherwise it will never work.

Don't worry about your spark router. It's extraneous.

dpf81nz

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#3013211 22-Dec-2022 17:38

I've set a couple of these up for other people on Spark. Just follow what @liferocks said and youll be fine

robjg63

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#3013215 22-Dec-2022 18:08

Seem to recall when I set mine up on Bigpipe (part of the Spark family), the first unit (connected to the ONT), worked out the necessary connection type and just connected.

I do recall though, that when I first set it up and it recognised the connection type, it didn't connect straight away. So I waited for a few minutes and then had to restart the router - then it just connected and worked.

Then you just add additional units.

In your scenario, Deco 1 is plugged into the ONT. Once set up and connected, you just add Deco 2 and Deco 3 and they set their own wireless internal connection up and start working.

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networkn

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#3013216 22-Dec-2022 18:09

The critical thing is the VLAN 10.

robjg63

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#3013291 22-Dec-2022 21:21

Yes. Bigpipe, admittedly, do not use VLAN 10.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Notageek23

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#3045806 4-Mar-2023 17:53

Wondering if someone could please help with this. Trying to set up the deco x20 mesh system.

Have entered the ppoe user information and the vlan id to 10 with no spark ufb selected.

Ive tried this connected to my existing spark modem and directly to the ont and every single time when it comes to establishing an internet connection the x20 light goes red and the whole thing fails.
TPLink say it’s because I’m using generic ppoe information and i should have specific user info, spark say the generic info is fine and the unit must be faulty.

im clearly doing something wrong but I don’t know what :(

Halp.

networkn

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#3045808 4-Mar-2023 18:18

You can connect directly to the ONT.

If you connect to the router turn off the router wifi and no need to configure authentication to the ISP as the router does that.

Notageek23

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#3045809 4-Mar-2023 18:29

Story, probably sound really dense here.

I’ve tried connecting directly to the ont, it didn’t work.

if I connect direct to the existing spark modem but disconnect the Ethernet cable I can’t get through the set up process, so not sure how to do that?

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michaelmurfy

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#3045819 4-Mar-2023 20:43

So connecting to the ONT is rather straight-forward with the Deco's.

You need to ensure both the username + password fields are filled in the PPPoE (not A) details - these can be anything except blank. And VLAN 10 then you should be golden.

There are some guides on here. I am honestly not sure what the Deco falls under but it may be of help: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/TPLinkISPSettings

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robjg63

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#3046009 5-Mar-2023 13:21

So you have the first mesh unit connected directly to the same port on the ONT that the previous working router was connected?

Probably not important - but try and use the port 1 on the Mesh unit - from memory its wasn't important - but....

Your previous router is switched off.

Are you using the TP link app (android or iphone)?

You can connect to the first mesh unit ok with the app?

Spark says these credentials should work ok:

PPP protocol: PPPoE
PPP username: user@spark.co.nz
PPP password: password

I cant recall - but I thought they had some prompt about the connection type (VLAN mentioned somewhere) - Perhaps you can post set screenshots for the setup process.

I do recall the initial connection did take a minute or two to establish and as noted above I think I powered off/on after I had saved the credentials because I thought it wasnt working - I should have given it a bit longer perhaps.

EDIT: Found a couple of videos (America) that suggested 2-5 minutes for initial connection...

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Quinny

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#3046319 6-Mar-2023 14:45

Just in case, as came in the past in another thread. Direct-to-ONT works with Vodafone as well. I am set up and have been using this way last 2 years.