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