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Personal opinion, put the 4582 into Bridge mode with the TP-Link Deco X20 running in full router mode behind the modem. Once that is done, don't look back.
If your internet service with the 4582 running in Gateway mode is stable, there's no reason to anticipate problems with the 4582 in Bridge mode. In either case, with the 4582 running in Gateway or Bridge mode, there shouldn't be any difference in wired data rates. Wifi is a different situation as its dependent on the wifi environment, wifi test device and the capabilities of the router.
As you indicated the TP-Link Deco X20 will give you far greater control over your network, which is the usual situation for a third party router. And, if you have wifi 6 devices in your home, switching to the TP-Link Deco X20 might make sense, however, don't expect to see a huge data rate increase with wifi 6. From what I've read, you might not see much of a change, despite the advertised numbers. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. The only way to find out is to give it a try.
So, with the modem in Bridge mode and the TP-Link Deco X20 in full router mode behind it, that would then connect to an unmanaged gigabit switch, and then to the follow on devices, as you indicated.
With the modem in Gateway mode, connect and set up the TP-Link Deco X20 and follow on gigabit switch. That keeps the TP-Link Deco X20 protected while you're setting it up. First order of business is to check for and install any firmware updates, followed by a reboot. Run a factory reset after the reboot which will probably lead to another reboot. The factory reset should result in clearing the current NVRAM data. After that's all done, set up the router and network. When all is said and done, keep the routers web page up so that you can reboot the router, but not just yet. With another tab open, log into the modem using 192.168.0.1, navigate to the BASIC .... GATEWAY FUNCTION and disable the Residential Gateway function. Save the changes which will cause the modem to commence a reboot into Bridge mode. When that reboot has started, reboot the router as well. In the end, you should be end up with the modem in Bridge mode and the router with an external WAN address, running in router mode.
Keep in mind, when the router is in Gateway mode, you need to use 192.168.0.1 to log into the modem.
When the modem is in Bridge mode, you need to use 192.168.100.1 to log into the modem. In Bridge mode, the user interface options are limited to those functions that are accessible and related to Bridge mode operation.
If you want to kick the modem back into Gateway mode, log into the modem, thru the router, using 192.168.100.1, navigate back to the BASIC .... GATEWAY FUNCTION and enable the Residential Gateway function. Save the changes and the modem will reboot back into GATEWAY mode with its previous settings intact.
If for any reason you can't get the modem back into GATEWAY mode from Bridge mode, there is always the factory reset option for the modem. Hold the recessed reset button at the back of the modem down for 30 seconds and release it. That will initiate the factory reset and automatic reboot back into Gateway mode.
Alternatively, you can call tech support to kick the modem back into Gateway mode if you're having problems doing it.
One major point to keep in mind at the present time: the 4582 is now running a new firmware version with an updated kernel to run DOCSIS 3.1 upstream. DOCSIS 3.1 downstream has been running since Mar 2017 and now DOCSIS 3.1 upstream is making its appearance in various places across the network. Its not rolled out network wide as of yet, but Rogers is making steady progress.
The one problem with version 7.x is that the modem might fail to respond to login attempts. If that happens, pull the power from the modem, wait for 10 to 15 seconds and plug it back in to force a modem restart. That should resolve the login failure situation. That applies to either mode, GATEWAY or BRIDGE mode.
When you initially set up the router with the modem in Gateway mode, don't set up IPV6. Wait until the modem is in Bridge mode and the router is running behind it. Set up IPV6 if you prefer to have it running and then reboot the router which will enable a negotiation / assignment of the routers IPV6 prefix from the Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). Rogers uses Native IPV6. There is a post here in the forum by @RogersDave which details the IPV6 settings for various routers. I don't have that available at the moment as an errant Microsoft Windows update has completely trashed my pc (grrrrrr &*&*&).
When you set up the router, ensure that the modem and router are separated by a few feet. Although the 4582 has been updated to include better shielding over the cable tuner, which is to avoid EMI affects from wifi, its a good practice to keep them separate so that there won't be any untoward EMI affects on the modem from a nearby wifi transmitter.
As for the question about dual modem and router wifi operation, you should keep them separated, in terms of their channel numbers. 2.4 Ghz doesn't leave much choice, channels 1, 6 or 11, so, I'd set the modem to channel 1 and the router to channel 11. For the 5 Ghz I'd set the modem to channel 36 and the router to channel 149 or higher. Note that channel 36 and the lower group of channels is restricted to 50 or 200 milli-watts max power output while channel 149 and the higher channel group is allowed to run 1 watt max power. That higher power level will result in a considerable difference in network performance.
The networks broadcast by the modem and router should have different SSIDs.
If you were running the modem and router with different wifi networks, as long as you're running the same subnet, you should be able to see all of the devices on the network. To do that you would probably have to run DECO_1 in a quasi Access Point mode. To do that you would set DECO_1 to run in full router mode with its firewall and DHCP server disabled. That leaves the modem to provide both as it would be running in GATEWAY mode. The question I have is whether or not the second TP-Link Deco X20 will run as a mesh node? Are there any effects on node operation when the primary router has its firewall and DHCP server disabled? Or, can you set the primary DECO_1 to run in Access Point mode with DECO_2 as a node? You will have to do some research on that one. That gets back to my original opinion, bridge the modem and run DECO_1 in full router mode.
Fwiw I run my 4582 in Bridge mode with an Asus RT-AC86U behind it. We live in a pretty stable area so I never think about the 4582. I run fixed location devices via ethernet as the house is wired for ethernet, cable and telephone. That includes fixed location desktops, laptops, Nvidea Shield, etc, etc. The mobile devices don't have any issues except for the very far corner of the basement, which makes sense given that the router is on the main floor at the other end of the house. I'm thinking about that one...... We're probably pretty typical, working from home, remote learning from Carleton U, streaming, gaming, etc. No complaints except for that one location which doesn't get a lot of use. So, if your internet service is stable in Gateway mode, I wouldn't expect any changes when the modem is in Bridge mode. The only caveat to that would be if there was some strange idiosyncrasy between the modem and the TP-Link Deco X20, but that would be apparent fairly quickly.
One more food for thought item, does your home have structured wiring, which is a wire bundle that runs from the structured wiring cabinet (usually in the basement) to each room upstairs? That bundle usually contains two RG-6 cables for cable tv or satellite, one Cat 5 or 5e cable for internet purposes, and one Cat 3 (possibly another Cat 5/5e) cable for telephones. If you've never taken a cable / telephone wallplate off the wall to inspect behind it, give that a go, just to see what's there. That is of course unless you already know that there isn't any other cabling installed in the walls. For home owners who have never checked, its worth the minute or two that it takes to determine if there are any cables tucked in behind the wallplate. If you have ethernet cabling for example, that data distribution / access around the house much easier to accomplish.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Personal opinion, put the 4582 into Bridge mode with the TP-Link Deco X20 running in full router mode behind the modem. Once that is done, don't look back.
If your internet service with the 4582 running in Gateway mode is stable, there's no reason to anticipate problems with the 4582 in Bridge mode. In either case, with the 4582 running in Gateway or Bridge mode, there shouldn't be any difference in wired data rates. Wifi is a different situation as its dependent on the wifi environment, wifi test device and the capabilities of the router.
As you indicated the TP-Link Deco X20 will give you far greater control over your network, which is the usual situation for a third party router. And, if you have wifi 6 devices in your home, switching to the TP-Link Deco X20 might make sense, however, don't expect to see a huge data rate increase with wifi 6. From what I've read, you might not see much of a change, despite the advertised numbers. So, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. The only way to find out is to give it a try.
So, with the modem in Bridge mode and the TP-Link Deco X20 in full router mode behind it, that would then connect to an unmanaged gigabit switch, and then to the follow on devices, as you indicated.
With the modem in Gateway mode, connect and set up the TP-Link Deco X20 and follow on gigabit switch. That keeps the TP-Link Deco X20 protected while you're setting it up. First order of business is to check for and install any firmware updates, followed by a reboot. Run a factory reset after the reboot which will probably lead to another reboot. The factory reset should result in clearing the current NVRAM data. After that's all done, set up the router and network. When all is said and done, keep the routers web page up so that you can reboot the router, but not just yet. With another tab open, log into the modem using 192.168.0.1, navigate to the BASIC .... GATEWAY FUNCTION and disable the Residential Gateway function. Save the changes which will cause the modem to commence a reboot into Bridge mode. When that reboot has started, reboot the router as well. In the end, you should be end up with the modem in Bridge mode and the router with an external WAN address, running in router mode.
Keep in mind, when the router is in Gateway mode, you need to use 192.168.0.1 to log into the modem.
When the modem is in Bridge mode, you need to use 192.168.100.1 to log into the modem. In Bridge mode, the user interface options are limited to those functions that are accessible and related to Bridge mode operation.
If you want to kick the modem back into Gateway mode, log into the modem, thru the router, using 192.168.100.1, navigate back to the BASIC .... GATEWAY FUNCTION and enable the Residential Gateway function. Save the changes and the modem will reboot back into GATEWAY mode with its previous settings intact.
If for any reason you can't get the modem back into GATEWAY mode from Bridge mode, there is always the factory reset option for the modem. Hold the recessed reset button at the back of the modem down for 30 seconds and release it. That will initiate the factory reset and automatic reboot back into Gateway mode.
Alternatively, you can call tech support to kick the modem back into Gateway mode if you're having problems doing it.
One major point to keep in mind at the present time: the 4582 is now running a new firmware version with an updated kernel to run DOCSIS 3.1 upstream. DOCSIS 3.1 downstream has been running since Mar 2017 and now DOCSIS 3.1 upstream is making its appearance in various places across the network. Its not rolled out network wide as of yet, but Rogers is making steady progress.
The one problem with version 7.x is that the modem might fail to respond to login attempts. If that happens, pull the power from the modem, wait for 10 to 15 seconds and plug it back in to force a modem restart. That should resolve the login failure situation. That applies to either mode, GATEWAY or BRIDGE mode.
When you initially set up the router with the modem in Gateway mode, don't set up IPV6. Wait until the modem is in Bridge mode and the router is running behind it. Set up IPV6 if you prefer to have it running and then reboot the router which will enable a negotiation / assignment of the routers IPV6 prefix from the Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). Rogers uses Native IPV6. There is a post here in the forum by @RogersDave which details the IPV6 settings for various routers. I don't have that available at the moment as an errant Microsoft Windows update has completely trashed my pc (grrrrrr &*&*&).
When you set up the router, ensure that the modem and router are separated by a few feet. Although the 4582 has been updated to include better shielding over the cable tuner, which is to avoid EMI affects from wifi, its a good practice to keep them separate so that there won't be any untoward EMI affects on the modem from a nearby wifi transmitter.
As for the question about dual modem and router wifi operation, you should keep them separated, in terms of their channel numbers. 2.4 Ghz doesn't leave much choice, channels 1, 6 or 11, so, I'd set the modem to channel 1 and the router to channel 11. For the 5 Ghz I'd set the modem to channel 36 and the router to channel 149 or higher. Note that channel 36 and the lower group of channels is restricted to 50 or 200 milli-watts max power output while channel 149 and the higher channel group is allowed to run 1 watt max power. That higher power level will result in a considerable difference in network performance.
The networks broadcast by the modem and router should have different SSIDs.
If you were running the modem and router with different wifi networks, as long as you're running the same subnet, you should be able to see all of the devices on the network. To do that you would probably have to run DECO_1 in a quasi Access Point mode. To do that you would set DECO_1 to run in full router mode with its firewall and DHCP server disabled. That leaves the modem to provide both as it would be running in GATEWAY mode. The question I have is whether or not the second TP-Link Deco X20 will run as a mesh node? Are there any effects on node operation when the primary router has its firewall and DHCP server disabled? Or, can you set the primary DECO_1 to run in Access Point mode with DECO_2 as a node? You will have to do some research on that one. That gets back to my original opinion, bridge the modem and run DECO_1 in full router mode.
Fwiw I run my 4582 in Bridge mode with an Asus RT-AC86U behind it. We live in a pretty stable area so I never think about the 4582. I run fixed location devices via ethernet as the house is wired for ethernet, cable and telephone. That includes fixed location desktops, laptops, Nvidea Shield, etc, etc. The mobile devices don't have any issues except for the very far corner of the basement, which makes sense given that the router is on the main floor at the other end of the house. I'm thinking about that one...... We're probably pretty typical, working from home, remote learning from Carleton U, streaming, gaming, etc. No complaints except for that one location which doesn't get a lot of use. So, if your internet service is stable in Gateway mode, I wouldn't expect any changes when the modem is in Bridge mode. The only caveat to that would be if there was some strange idiosyncrasy between the modem and the TP-Link Deco X20, but that would be apparent fairly quickly.
One more food for thought item, does your home have structured wiring, which is a wire bundle that runs from the structured wiring cabinet (usually in the basement) to each room upstairs? That bundle usually contains two RG-6 cables for cable tv or satellite, one Cat 5 or 5e cable for internet purposes, and one Cat 3 (possibly another Cat 5/5e) cable for telephones. If you've never taken a cable / telephone wallplate off the wall to inspect behind it, give that a go, just to see what's there. That is of course unless you already know that there isn't any other cabling installed in the walls. For home owners who have never checked, its worth the minute or two that it takes to determine if there are any cables tucked in behind the wallplate. If you have ethernet cabling for example, that data distribution / access around the house much easier to accomplish.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
I wouldn't have second thoughts about going MoCA. I guess it depends on what you're trying to accomplish, good wifi performance, or, good ethernet performance or some mix of the two. I'd go MoCa to run higher data rates and run a mesh network with ethernet running for both front haul and back haul paths. That ethernet path would be over the MoCA network. Personal opinion, there's just way too many users struggling with mesh networks, but, its really dependent on your wifi environment, how well you understand that environment and how much time you spend fine tuning the mesh network performance. There's more to a mesh network than meets the eye, so to speak. Patience, and understanding are really important when your trying to improve a mesh network.
Thankfully our house is wired 🙂 Who knew that would become so important one day?
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