How to configure your TP-Link Deco with CenturyLink’s fiber service

When you sign up for CenturyLink’s fiber internet service (FTTH), they’ll install an optical network terminal (ONT) somewhere in your house that converts the fiber optical into an ethernet cable. Usually, CenturyLink will also install their own modem in your house to provide Wi-Fi networks and make you pay around $10/month for the device.

You may have the following two topologies when configuring your TP-Link router with CenturyLink’s fiber service. Here we take TP-Link Deco router as an example to see how to do the configuration.

Topology 1: ONT (Ethernet cable) --- CenturyLink Modem --- TP-Link Router

Case1. The PC can get network access when connecting it to the CenturyLink Modem directly.

Step1. Connect the modem’s LAN port to the port of the main deco via an Ethernet cable.

Step2. Do the configuration step by step. When it comes to the step of selecting Connection Type, we need to choose Dynamic IP.

Case2. No network access when connecting PC to the CenturyLink Modem directly.

If there is no network access when connecting the PC to the CenturyLink Modem directly, you might have configured the modem as Transparent Bridging mode, Please follow the steps configuring it.

Step1. Connect the modem’s LAN port to the port of the main deco via an Ethernet cable.

Step2. Refer to Step 3 in Topology 2 to configure the router.

Topology 2: ONT (Ethernet cable) --- TP-Link Router

If you want to use your own hardware bypassing CenturyLink’s modem, please follow the steps as below.

Step 1: Call CenturyLink for your PPPoE credentials.

Step 2: Remove the CenturyLink modem, plug the Ethernet cable from ONT in the WAN port of your TP-Link router instead.

Step 3: Do the configuration step by step. When it comes to the step of selecting Connection Type, please choose PPPoE. Type in your PPPoE credentials (username and password).

Click on VLAN Settings, then set VLAN Mode as Custom and VLAN ID as 201. After that, click NEXT and complete the setup process.

Note: If the issue persists, we recommend to contact CenturyLink for more details.