How configure Hub5 (M500) and Tenda Nova MW3 mesh

Thanks Carl. So if you're saying that as things stand, it is the Tenda's 10/100 specifications that are the limiting factor here, then how will I be able to distinguish whether it is in fact the 10/100 ports that are the issue.....or whether I've got slow WiFi speeds simply because I've got the Hub3 operating in the wrong (Router) mode which is creating the conflict? I have nothing (wired) connected into any of the Tenda nodes other than the Hub3 into the main node. To be honest, when I connect to the Tenda's WiFi network (not the Hub3's network) on my mobile phone and walk around the house conducting speed tests, I do often get speeds well in excess of 100mbps but still far short of the supplied speed, so I don't quite know what to make of your comment about the Tenda mesh's spec being the limiting problem here. Because you've said that a faster Tenda MX15Pro should work better when coupled with the Hub3/5 operating in Modem mode, I can't quite figure out from your answer how to separate out those 2 issues to identify the problem (slow Tenda product, or Hub in the wrong mode), and how to square that with the fact that I can get faster than 100mbps speeds in some parts of the house!

Also remember I'm receiving the full 500 speed at my laptop via ethernet direct into the Hub3. Now if I go ahead and put the Hub3 into Modem mode, you're suggesting my WiFi may not necessarily see much improvement. But if I do that, then what will this mean for my ethernet port connection as I'm currently connecting directly to it? Does it mean I will instead have to connect my laptop via ethernet directly to the first/main Tenda node which is connected to the Hub3? If that's the case, then won't I lose the functionality of the Hub3's other 3 built-in ports? In which case I'll almost certainly need the use of my new 8 port switch. Given that, where in this setup do I connect the switch to continue getting the full speed across all the ports to replace what I am losing from Hub3 now being in Modem mode? And is there anything else I need to consider or do or change in the Hub3 or Tenda settings, other than just putting the Hub3 into Modem mode?

From what I've read, many people do report improved WiFi speeds using any mesh system when things are configured correctly. So until such time that I upgrade to a better/faster mesh system, I would still like to be able to improve my WiFi speeds, and have access to as many ports as possible (via VM Hub or a switch) to maintain full speed ethernet conections wherever I need a wired connection.

I hope I've understood your comments correctly. Thanks

Well, this is a little embarrassing. Please forgive an old man and his less than perfect memory who's feeling more than a little foolish right now !! I should have checked my kit first before questioning you guys here - my apologies to you all ! I think the 'blatantly stupid mistake' has just been exposed.

You are right - I don't have an MW3 set - I have the "Tenda MW6-3 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System" which is 10/100/1000 enabled. I was clearly getting my 6s and 3s all muddled up! That explains the fast WiFi speeds when standing anywhere near the Hub3 and first node.

So now that we've established which mesh system I actually have, can I assume that the steps 1-7 in my last post are otherwise correct? Is there anything else I need to do or settings I need to change before I proceed with the list?

Thanks legacy1. Sorry, but I couldn't quite follow the sequence of events your instructions to achieve the desired end result. As I wrote earlier, several posts on this topic have suggested this is the way to proceed. Is this pretty much what you're saying too:

1) Put Hub3/5 in Modem mode. (Given my own particular set of circumstances, I need to change the Hub3's current SSID to match that of the Tenda's current name. I appreciate that the standard suggested method recommends that you either give the mesh its own new SSID, or use the same name you gave the Hub3 for a seamless connection when moving around). Then switch off and remove all ethernet cables from the back. Leave Hub off for a few minutes.

2) In the Tenda app settings, keep it in its current DHCP mode as you have suggested. Turn off Tenda.

3) Turn on Hub3 and give it time to fully boot up.

4) With the Tenda still off, use an ethernet cable to connect one of the main node's ports to any of the ports on the  Hub3 - but specifically port 4 if using a Hub5 (is this correct about the Hub5?).

5) With the Hub3 fully booted, turn on the Tenda and connect first/main node to Hub3. If all has gone well, all 3 nodes would be linked and the Hub3 and Tenda should all be sharing the same SSID.

6) If using a switch, use an ethernet cable from the node's second port to connect to any port on the switch. Now keep fingers crossed and pray that I have a working internet connection at the full 500mbps across all the ethernet ports of the switch, and good WiFi speeds across all 3 nodes in the house!

From memory, I think I've seen the term "bridge mode" being used when discussing the routers provided by the ISP, as well as any brand of mesh systems. Just for my own peace of mind and future reference, can you please explain in simple newbie-friendly language, just what exactly is bridge mode....and for the purposes of this thread and my own mesh system - how would my home network be affected if the Tenda was either is DHCP mode or Bridge mode?! Is it possible that a network setup would still work either way, regardless of whether the mesh is in Bridge or DHCP mode? If so, how will I perceive any differences in operation when set in these different modes?

Thanks for that clarification. Your point about the jargon is well taken.

However, on the point of SSID names when you say "Set the Tenda SSID's and passwords to be the exact same as you had on the Hub 3. This will allow all your kit to connect over Wifi", you may recall that I cannot physically access some of smart devices, especially cameras. From past experience of changing networks, these cameras can only be reconnected by physically pressing a button on them and scanning a QR code to join the new network. There is no way of avoiding this. So since I can't access them, I MUST keep the current Tenda SSID name AS IS, if ALL my devices are to reconnect seamlessly after this procedure.

But I also just realised that if the Hub3 is going to be in Modem mode from now on, does this process actually require me to give the Hub3 an SSID name at all? Do modems need to be assigned a name anyway? Obviously, as it is a router now, it does have a name, and the Tenda has a separate name which all my devices are connected to. So if under the new setup, the Tenda is going to be acting as my 'router', then don't I just need to create one single SSID name for everything? If so, this name would have to be the same name as the Tenda is using now. Presumably I'd have to set this name in the Tenda settings.....or Hub3 settings??

Incidentally, whereas the Hub3 allows you to split the 2.4 and 5GHz bands in settings, I can not see any option for doing this anywhere in the Tenda app settings. Is this likely to change under the new setup where the Hub3 is the Modem, and the Tenda is effectively acting as the router? I'm not entirely clear what I need to do to ensure that all my devices will reconnect to the 2.4GHz band.

I have also read that once in Modem mode, you cannot access its settings through 192.168.0.1. In Modem mode, it's 192.168.100.1. Is this correct? I'll need to be able to get back into my settings and change things back as they were in the event that I manage to spectacularly screw everything up !