VLAN Duplicate - Need Help with FTTN Mesh Setup! PLEASE

Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 20:16
Last edited 29/11/2023 - 20:16

Hi all, I am really needing some advice on setting up my Deco mesh network on our FTTN (TPG). We have lots of drop outs of line sync and its driving us a bit mad! We really need solid line for our security system. I will try and keep it succinct, but essentially I am bridging a TP Link VR400 to a Deco X20 Mesh system.

I will copy and paste from another site forum (as to how I believe its supposed to work).

  • "1) Bridge the modem and then add a main mesh router to the modem so that the modem only maintains the FTTN line sync and passes all the other networking duties onto the main mesh router.

[ Bridged Modem ] —— Ethernet cable ——— [ Mesh router ] ——- Other mesh nodes ]" *

My problem is, if I keep the PPPOE connection (for the sync) in the modem, and then try and create a bridge connection, I receive a VLAN duplicate error. To sync with TPG service my connection needs no VLAN (or N/A). I have assumed I need to create the bridge connection using the same? But then get the duplation error.

Do I need to do this? Or can I use VLAN 0,1 or x..y..z..? Currently I have just the bridge setup and then I've entered the PPPOE into the Deco mesh.

I would really appreciate some help on this. What has thrown me, is that during the Deco setup, it asks that the modem has its line sync and internet light. Yet later asks for the PPPOE details for the mesh to hold. I assume this could cause some NAT issues or general hiccups.

Cheers!

Internet

Comments

    • Twix on 29/11/2023 - 20:32
      +1

      You can't on FTTN if it's the Deco X20 router. You can if it's the Deco X20-DSL VDSL2 modem/router all-in-one.

      • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 20:33

        Yeah its only the X20, not dsl version.

  • M8y on 29/11/2023 - 20:40
    +1

    Have you set your first wired Deco node to AP mode? Assumuming you TP Link VR400 is already doing the routing and DHCP duties for your LAN, why would you want to bridge another router, and not just have your Deco as an AP?

    • FoxJump on 29/11/2023 - 20:46

      This.

    • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 20:46

      I have the main deco unit plugged into the VR400 via Ethernet and a 2nd deco in another area of the house via wifi. During Deco setup it asked and I chose "router mode".

      My assumption was that was part of the point of getting the mesh network. The deco unit woulf handle routing? And then i can have the cheapy modem deal with the line

      • M8y on 29/11/2023 - 20:49

        You only need your Decos as APs, not another router. Change it to AP mode

        • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 20:52

          I see, and this would still allow me to use a 2nd node via wifi ( or technically 1st node)?

          • Twix on 29/11/2023 - 20:57

            @Goremans: That's right.

            • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 21:03
              +1

              @Twix: Ok, awesome! I'll try early tomorrow morning to setup as Access point mode. I dont think I need the other features that come with router mode anyway.

              Im embarrassed to say but I spent almost 2yrs studying networking at TAFE…..hahaha.

              The TAFE brochure said jobs jobs jobs, but then right before the end of the course we all asked our teacher when we should start applying for jobs, and he said "oh….no, you won't be going straight into a job from here" true or not it was super disheartening, then covid hit anyway.

          • M8y on 29/11/2023 - 21:01

            @Goremans: Yes

            • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 21:05

              @M8y: Thank you, cheers for your help! I'll report back tomorrow!🤞

      • Twix on 29/11/2023 - 20:52

        You are right and that's how you are supposed to bridge a VDSL2 modem. TPG have a requirement of VLAN 2 on some FTTN services. How many times is your line losing sync?

        • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 20:54

          Multiple times a day, super frustrating.

          Yeah ive read vlan na and vlan 2 online. But after a call to TPG they said to use vlan na

          • Twix on 29/11/2023 - 20:56

            @Goremans: TPG should be sending nbn out if it's greater than four times in 24 hours.

    • Twix on 29/11/2023 - 20:46

      Deco configured as your access point(s) is the most simple way. Your FTTN can still have problems and a tech is required. Is FTTP is avaliable?.

      • Goremans on 29/11/2023 - 20:48

        Unfortunately no fttp available, also renting.

        If I want the modem to deal with my connection, then I assume it holds the sync (pppoe settings).

        Then the deco can handle dhcp via Ethernet??

  • Goremans on 30/11/2023 - 07:48

    All right , we're in AP mode! So far so good, just need to see if we get any line drops today. Interestingly, initially I set the pppoe login details to the way TPG told me to when setting up the connection. With "username" only (No @tpg.com.au). This time I have used the domain and our line synced WAY faster!

    Hopefully this improves things also. The username only must get authenticated on RSP side ok, because we have had great speeds when its there. But maybe username@domain gets flagged on first pass check and so is quicker - idk - happy so far anyway!

    Cheers for your help people!! Love the OZB

  • ESEMCE on 30/11/2023 - 08:58

    That's not how bridging a modem works.
    The modem is solely there to decode the beeps and blurps (yes modems still do that, just at super high frequency so we can't hear the sounds) coming down the line into electronic ones and zeros. That is all, it MOdulates and DE-Modulates electonic signals into "audible" signals and vice versa.
    All the Authentication and Network management is then handed over to a router.
    In this case you're getting the inbuilt router portion of your TP-Link modem/router to do the authentication, and then trying to get your Deco to authenticate again. which is causing the error.

    To stop this, you need to activate Bridge mode in the TP-Link, assuming it has Bridge mode capability. This disables the router portion of the TP-Link.
    Then connect the WAN port of the Deco to the correct LAN port (usually 1 or 4) on the modem/router.

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