What’s the difference between Deco’s Access Point mode and Router mode?

Further Assistance
Updated 10-20-2023 19:38:35 PM FAQ view icon874340
This Article Applies to: 

Your Deco Mesh system has two operation modes, Router and Access Point.  Router mode is the default setting. All of your Deco’s features like Antivirus, Parental Controls, QoS, and DHCP Server, are enabled in Router mode.

You also have the option of Access Point mode.  AP mode is used when there is an existing router or gateway in front of the main Deco. When using AP mode this existing device be responsible for all network routing.  In AP mode all of the Deco’s advanced and routing features will be disabled in the Deco app.

If you want to configure the Deco to Access Point mode, please refer to this link.

 

Below are the feature differences between the Router and AP mode.

Note:

  • Different Deco models may differ in features.
  • The Deco models with the HomeShield feature do not support the Monthly Report feature when working in the AP mode.
  • Currently, some Deco models do not support the ECO mode, and they will support this feature via firmware updates in the future.

 

Features

Router mode supported

AP mode supported

Test Internet Speed

Yes

Yes

Network Optimization

Yes

Yes

Block List

Yes

Yes

Update Deco

Yes

Yes

WPS

Yes

Yes

Monthly Report

Yes

No

Managers

Yes

Yes

Fast Roaming

Yes

Yes

Beamforming

Yes

Yes

LED Control

Yes

Yes

Operation Mode

Yes

Yes

Connection Alerts

Yes

No

Smart Actions

Yes

Yes

ECO mode

Yes

Yes

Antivirus

Yes

No

Parental Control

Yes

No

QoS

Yes

No

HomeShield

Yes

No

IPv4/IPv6/LAN IP/DHCP server/MAC Clone

Yes

No

IPTV/VLAN

Yes

No

Address Reservation

Yes

No

Port Forwarding

Yes

No

DDNS

Yes

No

SIP ALG

Yes

No

UPnP

Yes

No

VPN Server/Client

Yes

No

Static Routing

Yes

No

Device Isolation

Yes

No

IoT Network

Yes

Yes

Reboot Schedule

Yes

Yes

Notifications

Support Update Firmware, Security Database Updated, Antivirus Alerts, Parental Controls, Monthly Report, Device Alerts, and Promotional Messages notifications

Support Update Firmware, Monthly Report, Device Alerts, and Promotional Messages notifications

 

Note:

  • When the Deco system works in Router mode, the Main Deco is a gateway router, other Deco units are like normal client devices, they are connected to the main Deco through wireless or Ethernet cables.
  • When the Deco system works in Access Point mode, there must be the main Router in front of the main Deco, providing Internet. In this case, the main Deco and other Deco units are basically equal, they are clients of the main Router.

 

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