TM is using VLAN to separate the different network as Unifi connection is used to deliver multiple services. As such, not all modem or routers are compatible with Unifi. They have to come with Unifi mode or support VLAN tagging else it will not be able to connect to the Unifi network.
TP-Link Easy Smart Switch allow you to trunk the Internet VLAN from the TM modem (ONU) to your wireless router. Besides, the HyppTV VLAN can be trunked to one of the port on the Switch as well. By doing so, you no longer need to use a router with Unifi modem or known as VLAN tagging feature.
In layman terms, using the Easy Smart Switch from TP-Link allow you to use any router in the market even those without Unifi mode in the firmware.
TP-Link TL-SG105E Easy Smart Switch Quick Look
The switch of choice is TP-Link TL-SG105E due to the ability to trunk VLAN and the affordability. The build quality is amazing for something cost less than RM100. It is metal and feels really solid in hand. The model I have is the 5 ports model and every single port have their own LED status indicator. It is powered by a 9V power adapter and there’s only one button which is to reset the Switch. The switch can be wall mounted with a lock port at the back. TP-Link also produces a 8 ports and 16 ports version of this model.
I wouldn’t consider it to be a managed switch but it will surely do what I need which is to trunk VLAN so I can use any routers with Unifi!
Configuring the Switch
By default, the switch will function like any other dumb switch. In order for the Switch to function as desired, you have to configure it to trunk the relevant VLAN to the relevant switch port. To configure the switch, you will need to gain access the Web UI of the switch. You can do that by configuring the IP manually on your computer and connect it to any port on the switch.
- IP Address: 192.168.0.2
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
- Gateway IP: 192.168.0.1
You will be able to access the web UI of the switch at 192.168.0.1 now. The authentication ID and Password is admin. There’s a few configurations you need to change over here. You can just copy my exact configuration but few free to play around with the settings.
You have to enable 802.1Q VLAN and follow my configurations as above. As TM is using VLAN 500 for Internet and VLAN 600 for the HyppTV, I configured the Switch to trunk VLAN 500 to Port 3 and VLAN 600 to Port 5 respectively.
Next, you have to setup the VLAN PVID setting. You can just follow my screenshot as above. They are self-explanatory.
Make sure you save a config and reboot your switch for the configuration to take effect.
With the configuration, your TM Unifi modem (Fibre ONU) should be connected to port 1. Your wireless router should be connected to Port 3 and HyppTV should be connected to Port 5. I wouldn’t go in on how to setup your wireless router but you can setup your wireless router as usual with the PPPOE mode using your Unifi PPPOE ID and Password. Do not select any Unifi profile if available! Nothing need to be done on the HyppTV, it should work properly immediately.
The Results
Does it work? Yes, it certainly does. With this configuration, I am able to use a router without Unifi VLAN Mode in the firmware like the TP-Link Deco M5! All the Unifi connection is handled by the router so there will be no concern of Double NAT.
Think about this, you can now buy any routers without thinking about Unifi compatibility anymore. You can get Google WiFi or Apple Airport and it will work without any issues. Furthermore, the HyppTV connection is offloaded at the Switch level, reducing the load at the router and clearing out 1 LAN port from your router.
As a prove a concept, you can see the HyppTV multicast connections from the switch UI.
Closing Words
For something this cheap, it certainly offers a really great value. This configuration allows you to have greater flexibility in your network without need to rely on equipments with VLAN tagging feature while they still can natively perform PPPOE connection to connect to Unifi. All of this with the HyppTV working properly without any issues. Well, if you think this is too much of a hassle, you can always look at my list of Unifi modem routers here.
All of these are actually possible with any managed Switch in the market. You can even use an OpenWRT flashed router for that. However, I selected the TP-Link smart switch due to how affordable it is. I would purchase it even as a dumb switch without all the additional features. Feel free to leave a comment for any issues.
Thanks for this, just got the Tp-link Deco m9 myself and this setup works great to support hypptv.
Thanks for the info. I planned to purchase Deco M5 (2 Pack) and TL-SG108E to support Unifi 500Mbps 1. I have existing Cat5E from ground floor to 2nd floor. I intend to use 1 unit Deco M5 (main unit) at ground floor and the other unit Deco M5 at 2nd floor (for coverage 2nd floor and 3rd) floor. Which port do I use to connect to the 2nd unit Deco M5? Will it be Deco M5 (main unit since it has 1 additional port available) or to TL-SG108E? 2. Which port do I connect for Android Box to stream movies… Read more »
1) Setup the Deco system under wireless mode. Make sure you can see both of them in the app.
2) Connect the main deco to the switch.
3) Connect your android box and the second deco to the main deco through the switch.
Cheers
1. Deco M5 (2 Pack) and TL-SG108E – can this support HyppTV?
2. (Deco M5 (2 Pack) and TL-SG108E) vs Archer C2300 – which one better for coverage and speed for 3 storey house?
Thanks!
I would prefer the Deco M5 for 3 storey house but HyppTV is not supported right now and the switch solution may be hard to setup.
Hi,
Possible for this managed switch to work out for Maxis Fiber, in order to get the VoIP to work since i do my pppoe through my firewall.
ONU –> tplink switch (port 1) –> port 3 Firewall pppoe (VLAN 621) –> port 5 VoIP (VLAN822)
I am not really sure how Maxis handle their VOIP VLAN. But it could work and you definitely still need the original router for the VOIP bridge.
Hi Tan. Did you get it to work?
Hi,
Since TM change the BTU to support 500mbps, my Asus lyra unable to dial up PPPOE connecting to tplink smart switch using config above. How I manage to make the PPPOE work is by changing the setting in LAN->IPTV->custom VID and change the TPlink port connect to my Lyra WAN as tagged port. Now I have no available LAN to use because Lyra LAN port not able to extend the network to TPlink smart switch above.
Hopefully there is way around to use the Lyra LAN port as LAN not IPTV.
Hi, following this guide, I have some questions regarding my setup.
I intend to connect one M9 mesh network and another hypp tv to the switch. However, I need an additional wireless access point further upstairs.
1. Can I connect the access point to the switch and have internet access?
2. If so, do both the mesh and access point router need to be DHCP enabled?
Below is a sketch of my intended setup:-
ONU —— switch ——Deco M9 (port 1)
—— Archer C7 (port 2)
—— HyppTV (port 5)
Why not you connect the C7 to the LAN port of the Deco M9?
Possible to setup like this, assume it’s SG108E (8 port smart switch)
1. ONU to port 1
2. Router WAN to port 2 (VLAN 500)
3. IPTV to port 3 (VLAN 600)
4. Router LAN to port 4,5,6,7 , and router assign DHCP for all PC connect to port 4,5,6,7 and can access internet.
If possible, how to configure the smart switch.
Thank you in advance.
Possible but need some experimentation.
Hi, Not sure why the post I submitted wasn’t appeared at all! Anyway, I am facing the problem that both the IPTV and Internet was not working at all! I bought the same switch as in your article and configured it exactly as you did, plug-in the cable as indicated to the correct ports as below ONU — > Port 1 VLAN 500 — > Port 3 VLAN 600 — > Port 5 Port 4 was connected to my PC direct! I am using Sophos XG firewall configured to PPPoE and connected to Port 3 (VLAN 500). Before plug-in into… Read more »
If PPPOE is successful when your Sophos firewall is connected directly, have you disabled the VLAN config at your firewall?
Hi Alvyn,
Sorry for the late in checking out!
Yes! The Sophos firewall PPPoE will work flawlessly when connected directly!
However, when plugin back to the TL-SG105E, it will fall back to the same error message
PPPoE Port2.500 : PADO Packet timeout no response from server.
Please verify service name & ISP link status on modem. Restarting session.
Regards
If you already tagged VLAN 500 on the switch, there is no need to tag 500 again at the Sophos.
Hi, I have been follow you guide precisely and even getting the same model of the switch! But, I can connect to the Internet nor watching IPTV at all! All I can see under the “Monitoring” tab, the Port Statistic is running but I cannot locate any useful logs that shows anything useful to me such as PPPoE and others! Under the IGMP Snooping, i could not see the VLAN ID 600 as shown in your example but VLAN ID 1 which is port 4 where I plug-in for my notebook to access the switch! Please advise what should I… Read more »
I suspect a hardware or firmware change may have caused this. I am investigating.
Is it possible this arrangement instead:
Fiber ONU to WiFi Router Port WAN port
WiFi Router port 1-3 for normal LAN usage
WiFi Router port 4 to Tplink smart switch port 1
Tplink smart switch port 2-3 for normal LAN usage
Tplink smart switch port 5 for unifi iptv
Not possible with a single switch configuration.
As I know, hypptv require to enter login and password. So, you must enter login and password in the switch configuration? Thanks.
I am not sure on this one, I will have to investigate further as my HyppTV STB is the old generation.
You enter username and password on the stb ; not on the switch or router
hi I bought the switch and followed your guide but I wasn’t able to get hypptv working. it shows an antenna with a small cross.
I tested the network connection in the stb. all have green ticks except for the last one,multicast connectivity.
is there something I missed out?
Do you enable IGMP Snooping on the switch? Is Internet working?
Cool guide. Was about to do this myself and found this article. Just a quick question, with the new Unifi upgrade to possibly getting 1Gbps, should I still stick with this dmart switch or look for one that supports 10G Ethernet?
10G Ethernet is not practical in the short term as you need 10G wiring and computers. 10G wiring is really expensive and not everyone do it correctly.