We verify that the TPLink DECO M4 really works
A single router is practically a thing of the past, because what if we don't have coverage on the terrace where we can work or from the garden where we snap the best pictures?
TPLink has gone a step further and prepared for its customers a Mesh system that will provide you with a strong signal anywhere in your home - even in the basement if you have your console cave or gym there.
Mesh systems Not only do they increase the access area to the Internet, but also the throughput is higher than with a regular router.
Today we're taking a home
WiFi Mesh AC1200 system, the
TPLink DECO M4 kit, to see if the wireless network really gets rid of dead zones.
We want to see if a set of routers from TPLink will really work for your family members to study remotely, watch movies or play online while providing a stable and strong connection in every corner of the house.
We opted for 1 TPLink DECO M4 router and placed it on the first floor in the northeast corner of the building. Commissioning was not too difficult. The Mesh kits come with the DECO app to help you manage bandwidth or the content your kid is browsing, but more on that in a moment.
Let's first take a look at what we find in the TPLink DECO M4 box:
- TPLink DECO M4 Device
- Power supply (1 power supply is included with each unit)
- Cable RJ-45
- User Manual
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The router itself visually looks quite nice. The minimalist design will work in any home, and you don't have to put it right in the middle of the table in the center of your home anyway. It will be a nice unobtrusive addition. One router can easily cover up to 180 m² with its signal. If you need devices for a larger area, you can easily connect the routers together by adding devices in the app. The number of LAN ports is 2, and the permissible operating temperature oscillates between 0 and 40 degrees, so try not to keep it near windows or heat sources.
What to what, which means it's time for configuration:
Turn on the app and follow the on-screen instructions, and after a short while you will get a strong wireless signal in every corner of your home.
Install the DECO application -> Login/Register -> "More" -> QoS -> "Edyt" -> "Edyt" -> "Edyt". -> QoS -> "Edit" -> Total bandwidth of the device (you can set this manually with sliders or from test options) -> "Save" -> Select one of the categories eg. Gaming, Streaming, Standard etc. (by selecting "Other", you can set this manually -> "Save"
Configuration is extremely simple and intuitive. The device has an additional anti-virus, which protects our device, data and verifies the content that comes to us. In addition, we have here the Parental Control, which will be perfect if we decide to share the link with our child. We can adjust the content to his age.
But let's first take a look at how to set it all up:
On M4 model in DECO application click icon in the lower right corner "Parental Controls" -> Add a new profile and create a name -> Follow the on-screen instructions and select the filtering level (we can also exclude or block certain categories ourselves -> Enable the malicious content filter so that the parental control works properly -> Set the time your child uses the internet -> Add a profile and you're done!
TPLink router will stop inappropriate content for the youngest members of the family.
The parental control can cover up to 16 profiles and block up to 32 applications, in the statistics we can find all data about the content or time spent by our child during the day/week.
Now it's time to verify the manufacturer's word on what the transmission speed is
As for throughput, the manufacturer assures us of speeds up to 1167 Mbps, but we decided to verify this in our own home by setting up the TPLink M4 in a place where the signal should propagate without much interference and there should be no dead zones.
As you can see, the speeds are not too bad, but they could be much better. Perhaps it's a matter of the number of routers in Mesh AC1200 and a DECO M4 2pack or DECO M4 3pack would work better, but it would increase the range rather than the speed.
After firing up the home WiFi system, there was WiFi coverage at all the points indicated. In the room where the device was set up, the best throughput was 571 Mbps.
Download at 571 Mbps and Upload 540 Mbps at point 1.
In point 2 Download 560 Mbps / Upload 358 Mbps
In point 3 Download 548 Mbps / Upload 423 Mbps
In point 4 Download 477 Mbps / Upload 210 Mbps
In point 5 Download 56 Mbps / Upload 19 Mbps
In point 6 Download 101 Mbps / Upload 56 Mbps
Even at the most remote point (in the basement) network coverage was available. 101.9 Mbps is the level of throughput in the basement for download and 56.9 Mbps for upload.
This is now a moment to recap:
For its price, this one piece Mesh system works pretty well for everyday use. Theoretically, we can support up to 100 devices through the wireless network, but for basic equipment it won't be much of a problem. Unfortunately, we couldn't find information whether this model actually supports ASC or TR-069 functionality and AgileConfiguration assuming this is the ISP version. One LAN port is unfortunately missing here.
On the positive side, it is certainly compatible with many models from the DECO series. Just add them in the DECO app set the bandwidth and you're practically done. The home system supports roaming and Mesh without much trouble. The wireless mesh networking that DECO routers provide has the advantage over regular routers in that they overlap to give you much more capacity and a strong wireless signal. The Mesh AC 1200 home WiFi system does the job in basic operation, though it only gives out half of its claimed capabilities.
On the plus side, there is also VLAN support, which will work well for pairing with other devices.
The WiFi system will make it easy for you to set the router mode according to the age of your child. In addition, you'll also be able to see what your kids are watching at what time, whether they're young or old, so that's a great benefit, although it's worth adding a few blocks yourself to be sure.
Overall, the router will perform fairly well if set up in a central area of the house. Speeds are lower than the manufacturer's claims, but for laptop, smartphone, or TV use, it will suffice.
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