Make any router work on Unifi with TP-Link Easy Smart Switch

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.

TP-Link Deco M5 Connected to Unifi directly

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.

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I plan use this matter like..

Internet–>Modem–>MainDeco—>Switch—>Other Deco
—>Hypptv
—>Other Devices
Details

Internet – Deco X20 (main deco at Level 2)
– port 1 from modem
– port 2 to switch (TL-SG105E), to be

Switch (TL-SG105E at level 2)
– port 1 from main deco (X20)
– port 2 hypptv (level 2)
– port 3 Other Deco (level 1)
– port 4 Other Devices
– port 5 Other Devices

– Other Deco X20
– port 1 from switch (port 3)
– port 2 to TV Box

Is it possible setup like this? and how to configure it?

I have 1 ethernet port in Room A, I want to use that port for Internet + Hypptv? How to set the VLAN to make both internet and hypptv function with using that 1 ethernet port in room A?

Blacktubi, do you know what model supports this feature???

How to set vlan id for digi fiber at tplink switch sg105e ,I use xiaomi ax6000 router

Can i use this matter like..
Internet- “Deco 20 – (port 1 to modem – port2 to switch)” connect to “switch” connect to “hypptv” .?
or
Internet “Deco 20 – (port 1 to modem – port2 to router)” connect to “Router ac1200 – port 4 ” connect to “hypptv” ?

i need extra port for lan line. can this e done?

Anyone try on the China version TP Link router? Is it workable?

Hi,

My company subscribed Unifi 800Mbps plan. The connection from ONU to Sophos Firewall, and from Sophos Firewall to 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet Switch. My question is why I’m only getting 90Mbps download speed but not 500++ to 6++Mbps speed? Is there any incomplete stage that need to be improve?

Errm…I think it would be better to put right up front that this method doesn’t work anymore…I had a look at the article, bought the switch, doesn’t work. Then read the comments and found out it doesn’t work. Anyway, now I have a spare switch!
Having said that, you made a comment that it might have to do with IGMP profile…can you say something more about that? Maybe I can tinker.

Mine still working with my unifi IPTV (vlan600) and my router (vlan500). I’m using TL-SG105e v5

Still works for me using this switch (v5) combine with Archer C7 router, but my settings a bit different as follows :- Port 1 : Connect to BTU (TM Modem) Port 2 : Connect to Router WAN port Port 3 : Connect to Router LAN port Port 4 : Connect to Local Server/Computer Port 5 : Connect to Unifi TV (Huawei STB – White) VLAN config :- VID 1 : Member Ports > 3-4 / Untagged Ports > 3-4 VID 500 : Member Ports > 1-2 / Tagged Port > 1 Untagged Port > 2 VID 600 : Member Ports… Read more »

I purchased a v5 and configured it based on your concept (modified) and now IPTV works. Had no luck getting IPTV to work on v3 before.

But I am not sure if IPTV works now because of v5 or your suggested configuration.

Huh… so basically what are you doing with port 3-4? For internet acess? Or is it local area network only? Interesting idea if this works i can buy the 8port version and use the 5 ports left to route my LAN coming from router to other devices and mesh node in my house. TPLink deco only has 2 ports so this has been making me pull my hairs out

Will this method work with tp link deco x20?

I tried using this method with my xiaomi ax3600 but it doesn’t work.

Followed all the instruction accordingly, but PPPoE still failed to dial.

Any idea why?

good nice i made the ax3600 work with maxis this way
now using time so no need vlan

Hi, I recently tried replacing my Unifi provided router (D-LINK DIR842) with the Deco M5. I was previously using all 4 gigabit ports of my D-LINK router. 3 ports were used for PCs and the last port for the IPTV (HyppTV). With the Deco M5 only having 2 gigabit ports on the back, I was forced to continue using my D-LINK router but as a switch. The Deco is operating in AP mode. I have just bought the switch that you’ve recommended in this article (TL-SG105E) and tried to set it up as described. What I thought that I would… Read more »

Hi! I just came across this article and it is exactly what I wanted to set up. But reading this comment, does this mean even if I’m using the same recommended switch (TL-SG105E), the same step by step as yours, it won’t work anymore?

Is it possible to tag port 4 and 5 as vlan 600 and connect 2 hypptv boxes?

I think I will try once my ax3600 arrived, bought a sg105ev5 to play around.

Let me know if u done with ax3600

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