TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi with Built-in Smart Home Hub Question Router needed?

2stixoftwixes

Hi
I'm looking to either purchase the m9   (or the cheaper m5)  
Can someone answer this (probably stupid ) question
Do I still need a router    - or does the smart home hub replace it?
I am on plus net and use their router - so I'm guessing if it DOES use the existing router it simply connects to it with the main unit

Linton

Yes, you will need something to connect to your broadband provider which probably means a router though you can get a stand-alone broadband modem.  The TP-Link device only provides a Wifi environment + links to smart devices.  I do not know the TP system, but the BT Mesh system works using a direct ethernet link to the router.  It is probably a good idea to turn the router WiFi off.

Chino

Q1: Can Deco work without a modem?
Deco is an internet sharing device and can’t provide internet itself.
If you don’t have a modem but is able to access the internet directly through an Ethernet jack on the wall, then Deco can be wired to the Ethernet jack and then share the internet with the clients after the configuration is completed.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/1431/

mrmmhf

2stixoftwixes said:

Hi
I'm looking to either purchase the m9   (or the cheaper m5)  
Can someone answer this (probably stupid ) question
Do I still need a router    - or does the smart home hub replace it?
I am on plus net and use their router - so I'm guessing if it DOES use the existing router it simply connects to it with the main unit

Yes, it replaces your router and it actually creates a ‘new’ network. This may answer your question: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJjpD0Ko-yQ

Linton

mrmmhf said:

2stixoftwixes said:

Hi
I'm looking to either purchase the m9   (or the cheaper m5)  
Can someone answer this (probably stupid ) question
Do I still need a router    - or does the smart home hub replace it?
I am on plus net and use their router - so I'm guessing if it DOES use the existing router it simply connects to it with the main unit

Yes, it replaces your router and it actually creates a ‘new’ network. This may answer your question: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJjpD0Ko-yQ

Strictly speaking it can replace a router, but it does not replace the broadband modem which is part of what most people, including the broadband providers,  call a router.  The modem talks to the provider, the router allows a network to talk to the modem.

In my configuration there is a " broadband router" connected to the outside world.  This is linked by an ethernet cable to a mesh disk. Some other devices are also linked by ethernet cable to the router.  So both the mesh network and the router are routing.