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.
It does work for me,same setup and hardware. But how do i utilize other 2 free port for internet via cable
Glad that it helps. Not possible to utilize the remaining ports for anything else.
Can I connect to internet over PPPoE using this switch?
Yup, as long as you configure the VLAN trunking properly
I’m just purchased Huawei AX3 router which cannot supports Unifi TV. Can I use this switch and setting to get the Unifi TV connection?
You can try but no guarantee.
Hi, can I connect my router (DIR-842) to a switch, then from the switch to hypptv, tv, pc, etc? Is this possible?
Nope
I posted yesterday, but the post went missing.
Will it be limited the internet connection speed?
How much speed that is able to archive?
Is it stable to long connection time?
Thanks
It’s a Gigabit switch so it’s up to 1G. It’s a very simple configuration and will be stable.
I have recently setup for Google Wifi and the internet works really well. However, I am not able to get the HyppTV working. I can see the metadata (for eg. RTM1 and the title of the content), but the video/sound just won’t come up. It showed an icon as if there is not network connection. When I run network test on STB, all test is successful except Multicast. I am able to get IP address on STB via DHCP and network link test all runs well. I also use IGMP snooping on the TP-link and I can see a few… Read more »
Hi Alvyn, I have a TL-SG1016 unmanaged switch. Don’t think this is a smart switch, will it work?
I don’t think it will work.
Indeed works with any router! Set up the router as if it was being set up with a unifi router directly to the modem (PPPoE).
Hi Alvin
Alvin here. I am trying to reduce cpu load for my unifi router to increase gaming performance.
Do you think the unifi router would work in this set up?
Thanks in advance
No, this wouldn’t reduce the load.
Thanks for your article. I followed the steps and manage to separate the Hypttv from the Unifi Router.
Used it for about half a year now and I found the Hypttv starts up faster and i feel that the gaming performance is smoother.
Hi. My GoogleWifi works well with your setting. Thanks!
Since GoogleWifi only have a single port, would like to check if it is possible to utilize port 2 & 4 from the smart switch for CCTV and smart home hub?
Although it is possible, I do not recommend it. I suggest getting another switch since they are cheap and this will reduce the complexity in your network.
Noted with thanks!
Hi,
I already follow all your steps and using google wifi but it still not working. When I set up using google wifi app, it stuck at ‘checking connection’ which is the very last step. Please help if there is anything I have to look at setting. Thanks
Maybe you try and replicate this carefully. I do not have a Google WiFi with me now.
I would like to ask whether its possible to use this switch with hypptv
TPLink C2300 (upstairs) Port 1(hypptv)–>CAT6 cable –>SWITCH->STB(downstairs)
and the other ports of the switch can it be connected to other devices, i.e SmartTV/console with the above configuration