topic Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up. in My Router

Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:11:32 GMT

I'm about to have Openreach round to make the change from FTTC to FTTP. I'm using tp-link Deco X50 units to connect directly. Seems like a few minor changes to the settings which will hopefully be automatically picked up when I restart the units.

Anybody else got experience e with this changeover and the Deco units?

Also hoping to arrange A&A for VOIP transferring old landline number - eek, scary tech!

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

dvorak — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:14:26 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to My Router

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 11:27:19 GMT

@jagey

Anybody else got experience e with this changeover and the Deco units?

This depends on how the Deco router is configured, if it currently connected to a modem using PPPoE credentials then all you need to do is move the internet connection from the modem and connect it the ONT which is effectively a fibre modem.

Does the above describe your current configuration?

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:20:13 GMT

Thanks, Dan - it does sound like my set-up so I'm hopeful.

I've noted some other comments elsewhere regarding changing PPoE to Dynamic IP and changing IPTV/VLAN from Enabled to Off. I'm going to wait and see if these auto-update when I restart the main Deco.

Should happen Wednesday so I'll report back then.

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:38:35 GMT

What is your current modem device?

If the main Deco is connected to the ONT is using a Dynamic IP setting it will no longer work, you need to maintain the PPPoE connection using your current broadband username and password. Nothing needs to be reset on the Deco on the switch over day just a reboot is all required.

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:47:20 GMT

Current device is a Deco X50-DSL connected to the traditional Openreach telephone/modem box.
The less adjustment required the better so I will definitely ‘wait and see’ before anything else!

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

MisterW — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:04:25 GMT

Current device is a Deco X50-DSL

Ah! that version of the Deco has a built-in DSL modem. You will need to change it from DSL modem/router mode to Wifi Router mode ( see page 9 of the manual ) and then connect the correct ethernet port to the ONT. Having to change the mode will probably mean you will need to setup the Deco again, I'm afraid. If you are given any option for VLAN Id then either diable it or set it to 0

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:06:54 GMT

Useful information, MisterW - I was hoping to avoid a full reset as I've two other plain X50s linked by ethernet as a mesh wifi. I can foresee a cascading series of events happening here!!!

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

RealAleMadrid — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:19:31 GMT

@jagey On a FTTP connection when not using the Plusnet router there is no connection to the Plusnet management platform so don't expect anything to be updated automatically because it won't happen. As has already been stated your existing Deco configuration should work. PPPoE and IPTV/VLAN Off off are the correct settings, the VLAN tagging is removed by the Openreach ONT so does not reach the router.

Edit: @jagey Are you currently connecting the Deco by ethernet cable to an Openreach VDSL2 modem, Not sure what you mean by ..."traditional Openreach telephone/modem box." If you are connecting to the phone master socket you will need to follow the advice from @MisterW in msg#7

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

MisterW — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:14:19 GMT

@jagey Well you will certainly have to change the mode, whether that will trigger a full reset I don't know since I've never used one. My guess from other routers I've used is that it will. I'm afraid there's only one way to find out...

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:20:14 GMT

Yes - we only learn by trying…

My concern at this point becomes that the Deco settings are almost entirely accessed via the App and that seems to require internet access to communicate with the unit. The LAN webpage is almost totally devoid of functionality - I've had a longstanding thread running on the TP-link site that has attracted hundreds of outraged comments bemoaning this limitation 😕

We shall see…

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

MisterW — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:30:30 GMT

My concern at this point becomes that the Deco settings are almost entirely accessed via the App and that seems to require internet access to communicate with the unit.

@jagey you must have been able to do the basic PPPoE configuration, without an internet connection, previously when setting it up in modem/router mode ?

Setting it up in router mode should be posssible in the same manner

Personally I hate these routers that can only be setup using apps! Give me a web gui configuration every time.

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:06:03 GMT

Thanks, RealAleMadrid - yes, 'traditional Openreach telephone/modem socket' was just my blither to describe the copper wire splitter box with telephone and VDSL sockets. The main Deco unit has a DSL modem within it that becomes redundant when the ONT gets installed.

All the comments given in this thread have been helpful, not necessarily reassuring, but thanks for the input, gratefully received!

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:27:36 GMT

The Deco should be more configurable when connecting to it directly via a PC browser rather than usingthe tethering app. A browser on a smart device may not work as expected.
When connected you need to use Advanced Settings. This is the case with a VR400 I used to use and the Archer AX53 I currently use
When using the tethering app you need to ensure the smart device being used is connected via WiFi and not mobile data which requires the Deco to be registered.

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:47:48 GMT

Thanks Dan,

The Deco system seems otherwise. There's very little configurable in the web gui interface and most admin is handled through the app.

A curious aspect is when trying to set the Internet Connection type in the app. There is an accessible menu for 'Internet Connection' but this is non-configurable - in order to change the connection type, password, username requires a 'Search for a feature' entry, which brings up a nearly identical but configurable set of options!

Bizarre!

The app, of course, can be used 'off site' but this implies that it doesn't connect directly or by LAN IP address to the units.

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:06:18 GMT

Been on the move today, looking at the Install guide it might be necessary to reset the router back to factory defaults to change from DSL to Wireless Router Mode, then start as if new out of the box.

In Wireless router mode it looks like LAN4 will be the WAN port which connects to the ONT.

As previously stated the 'Internet connection type will be PPPoE, set the IPTV/VLAN settings OFF.

If you do not already know the Install guide can be found here https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/download/deco-x50-dsl/

Start at page nine.

HTH

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:30:49 GMT

This is most helpful, Dan - thanks for your efforts!

I'm hoping that the change will be straightforward so that I don't inconvenience the Openreach engineer too much.

A reset may well be the only course of action though I'm guessing the mesh wifi will need to be set up from scratch which I was hoping to avoid.

I'll check out the manual (thanks for the link) and keep my fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

bmc — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:45:18 GMT

@jagey

If you have a Hub2 (or even a Hub1) to hand use that to confirm the connection works and get you up and running. The OR engineer can then depart happy.

You can then install the Deko with the knowledge that what ever problems you may come accross is down to setup and not the connection.

Brian

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 23:11:21 GMT

Thanks, Brian.
I had dug out the hub 2 as backup but, you’re right…it may be the better first port of call.
Cheers,
JJ

Re: Migration from FTTC to FTTP - tp-link Deco set up.

jagey — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:40:45 GMT

So the engineer has installed and tested his work, all OK but the Hub 2 is stuck on orange light. He’s asked me to contact PN to check if the line has been activated but got into a labyrinthine cascade of phone options - have texted FAULT to the usual number and awaiting response…