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

After you setup the Deco network successfully, the Deco units will work in Router mode by default. When the Deco works in Router mode, it performs as a gateway device, so it has more gateway features like Antivirus, Parental Controls, QoS, IPv4 and DHCP server etc.

User can select Access Point mode according to the actual network environment. But when the Deco works in Access Point mode, it does not have NAT function, so the gateway features will disappear on the Deco app.

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

Note: Different models may differ in the feature.

Here we use the Deco M5 for example.

When the Deco M5 works in Router mode, open the Deco App and we can see the below features on the Overview and More page.

Click on Advanced, you can see the below features.

When the Deco M5 works in Access Point mode, you can see less features on the Overview, More and Advance page.

Compared with Deco M5, Deco M9 Plus has Shortcut and Automation features and more options under the Notification option.

When the Deco M9 Plus works in Access Point mode, the Shortcut and Automation functions are still working, but on the Notifications page, options which are related to NAT function are disappeared.

By the way, when the Deco works in Router mode, only the main Deco can connect to the front-end modem/router by an Ethernet cable. As for the slave Decos, they can only connect to the main Deco’s network via Ethernet cable/Wi-Fi. However, when the Deco works in Access Point mode, each Deco unit can connect to the front-end modem/router directly via Ethernet cable.

Note: When the Deco works in Access Point mode, the front-end modem/router must have NAT function.

For example: