Mesh Wi-fi

[Virtual_Unknown]

I'm assuming plenty of you have experience with this?
I've got a few Wi-fi black spots in my house, namely my downstairs toilet and 4th bedroom. My wife has just made the 4th bedroom her office so I need a solution.
I bought a Powerline adapter so she could be hard wired, but thought getting one that also did Wi-fi would be good as it would improve the coverage in that bedroom, however, when all connected all our devices were trying to use the Wi-fi from the extender rather than the normal router., giving us worse Wi-fi coverage than we had previously.

I need a solution, I'm assuming that needs to be a mesh, but I don't want an overkill solution for what isn't a massive issue. I just need to improve my Wi-fi coverage a bit, we don't do anything that needs super speeds. Is mesh the best option, and how easy is it to set up?
If it is the answer, any recommendations for the best kit?

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

We've got really thick interior stone walls and went with:

3 x TP-Link EAP225s (https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-networking/omada-sdn-access-point/eap225/)
and an Omada OC200 controller (https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-networking/omada-sdn-controller/oc200/)

We've got them running off wired ethernet but they support full mesh operation as well and they're pretty quick to set up.

Still some slightly flakey spots in odd rooms, but overall pretty decent.

 

[poppy_16V]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077HTZ4TT/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Use the nodes in bridge mode, connect one to youre existing router, place the others anyhwere you wish in the house. For reference I put one in the kitchen downstairs and one in the middle room upstairs. For the money cant fault them.

 

[Simon_16v]

I'm looking at buying a mesh wi-fi too. Not to sure whether I should go for a tri-band wi-fi 5 system or a dual-band wi-fi 6?

 

[jonzz]

Bump. Currently going through extension, so ceilings and floors are exposed. What are the easiest/best options?
Can I just plug and play or are they just wifi? I’m talking absolutely basics

 

[Robbie Corbett]

We have TP-Link deco S2 units and I really like them.

You need wired connection to your router for one unit then the rest are all just wifi so only need power. The setup couldn't have been more straightforward either and the app to control it all is superb.

Ie) I don't think there is much you need to do in ceilings/under floors apart from making sure you have a plug socket in the locations you want to place each of the boxes.

You could run an ethernet cable into each section of the house - then the wifi mesh node would connect to the main router directly which would improve speed, depends what you will end up using it for tbh.

 

[ChrisR]

As above, whilst things are ripped out run Ethernet where ever you can.

And do 2 cables runs to each spot if you can as well, means if you need it, or if there’s a fault on one of them you’ve got another already installed.

 

[jonzz]

We have TP-Link deco S2 units and I really like them.

You need wired connection to your router for one unit then the rest are all just wifi so only need power. The setup couldn't have been more straightforward either and the app to control it all is superb.

Ie) I don't think there is much you need to do in ceilings/under floors apart from making sure you have a plug socket in the locations you want to place each of the boxes.

You could run an ethernet cable into each section of the house - then the wifi mesh node would connect to the main router directly which would improve speed, depends what you will end up using it for tbh.

sounds easy then. I won’t bother running Ethernet then. Can’t imagine I’m going to be setting up a pc or ps5 anytime soon with the nipper so WiFi shall do. Cheers

 

[Robbie Corbett]

It is very easy with wifi and the mesh boxes. But while everything is exposed there's no hard chucking a few cables into rooms.

My broadband is 500mb/s. I get 200mb on WiFi at the far end of the house, 350mb near the first router but the full 500mb/s on wired.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

With the Deco app you can setup a guest WiFi network so you don't have to give random visitors your password, then you can also block specific websites for certain devices. For example I block YouTube to my son's tablet but not to my pc.

Considering blocking all clothing websites from woman's phone but not sure I'm brave enough.

 

[jonzz]

It is very easy with wifi and the mesh boxes. But while everything is exposed there's no hard chucking a few cables into rooms.

My broadband is 500mb/s. I get 200mb on WiFi at the far end of the house, 350mb near the first router but the full 500mb/s on wired.

think my max speed is 10mb😂

 

[Robbie Corbett]

think my max speed is 10mb😂

WiFi will be just fine for you mate 😂

 

[riz]

My current WiFi speed is 15mb and we are getting some rural fibre in the next few months. I currently use a Tenda Mesh, which occasionally drops out or the speed suddenly drops until I restart it. Potentially could be plusnet but not sure how to figure that out as its random and I've tried it without the Tenda but I lose coverage.

Is a mesh network on such a low speed actually worth it? I got it in lockdown so I could work in the kitchen which is a blackspot.


What's a reasonable mesh network to get around £100 For the impending fibre.

 

[MatthewR]

I got this when we moved into our new home as the router from NOW wasn't reaching everywhere in the house due to location of the incoming internet etc.

Mercusys AC1900 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, Coverage up to 6,000 ft² (550 m²), Connect over 100 Devices, Full Gigabit Ports, Dual Band Wi-Fi, Easy App Control, Halo H50G(3-pack) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09C7JDYJ1/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Not had an issue with it at all, it also sets up a guest network that you can provide a simple password on for friends if they pop in.

 

[Oggy997]

We’ve got the Orbi RBK953.
Full speed internets everywhere, absolutely cannot fault it.

Slightly more expensive than most though & I’m sure there’s products that’ll be good enough without the price tag.

 

[rctempire]

Used to provide TP Link Decos to customers, upgraded to Eeros now as they are more reliable and worth the money.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WHMJ6XN/?tag=cliospnet01-21 - £130 right now too.

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

I’ve had Eero installed for a couple of months now and I’ve had absolutely zero issues with it. Fast speeds throughout entire house. and had the signal drop out once.

Highly recommend

These are the speeds I’m getting connected to the upstairs wireless hub

 

[riz]

Used to provide TP Link Decos to customers, upgraded to Eeros now as they are more reliable and worth the money.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WHMJ6XN/?tag=cliospnet01-21 - £130 right now too.

Trusle CS fashion I'll go with Google Wifi as I in the Android ecosystem!!

 

[riz]

Hijacking a thread.

Just had Gigaclear rural broadband fitted.

The supplied router is huge and I want to use my Tp Link Deco M5 Mesh thingies as they spread the net around the house better.

Do they have to connect to the router or can they go straight to the wall.

Picture of wall socket and giant router.

 

[riz]

Hijacking a thread.

Just had Gigaclear rural broadband fitted.

The supplied router is huge and I want to use my Tp Link Deco M5 Mesh thingies as they spread the net around the house better.

Do they have to connect to the router or can they go straight to the wall.

Picture of wall socket and giant router.

 

[Oggy997]

If you're removing theirs, you'll need to login info, I haven't checked but I presume it's PPPoE

 

[riz]

U wot oggy

 

[Oggy997]

The box on the wall is known as an ONT, this doesn't provide any account level information.
Your (their) router will probably have it - so if you replace it, you need
a) the details
b) a router that supports that protocol

Im not familiar with gigaqueer, I trust they gave you the router admin login?

 

[riz]

Thank you


My bad its done by a company called Airband.

It is PPPOE

I think my deco would work I just need the account details.

What is PPPoE?

PPPoE is an acronym for ‘Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet’. It is a networking protocol which manages how data travels over a network. In most situations, it refers to the link between the router inside a customer’s house and the access to the internet from their internet service provider (ISP)

www.airband.co.uk

 

[Oggy997]

Give them a call, they are usually generic details oddly.
My isps is a terrible cliche about being fast

 

[riz]

OK thank you.

When I get the details from my isp and Ill use that on the TP.

From memory there a few options on the tp link to connect it to the ont. Would that ppoe again?

 

[Oggy997]

from memory, you should be able to set the pppoe details on the TP, and then it'll authenticate just fine. It certainly won't be too problematic, mine is like so:

 

[riz]

Thank you

I've gone from 12mb Internet to 270mb.

Just a shame it doesn't broadcast anywhere until this mesh is sorted

 

[Oggy997]

To make you feel better, my wireless is fine and exceptionally fast

 

[riz]

All sorted, thanks for the help.

Shame my mesh projects my wifi excellently over the front garden but not so much in the rear. Will have to find another deco to add

 

[Oggy997]

I can get mine 80m out the front, but only 30m out the back.
As I live on a new build development that's still a good distance outside my property!

I run a router and 2 satellites, the Orbi RBK953.

 

[jonzz]

I need one of these for my gaff but no idea where to start, my current BB is shite though, only like 8mb. Is there any point me getting one?

 

[Norris_309]

I need one of these for my gaff but no idea where to start, my current BB is shite though, only like 8mb. Is there any point me getting one?

Obviously these won't help with your slow BB, but will give you a better wifi coverage throughout your property if it's currently not very good, so will probably give you a better overall experience.

Do a speed test next to your ISPs router & then different places in your property & see what the difference in speed is.. you'll probably see less than the 8Mbps the further you go, (or maybe see more when right up close to the router depending on where you have tested)

Might give you an idea on whether it's worth spending out on these for your situation

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Amazon are doing 25% off Eero for a limited period.

Easily one of the best things I’ve ever bought for the house.

 

[rctempire]

Think its time my eeros are being retired.
Served well but think its time to get Ubiquiti kit going forward.

 

[Gavin.]

Think its time my eeros are being retired.
Served well but think its time to get Ubiquiti kit going forward.

We use it on all our sites, great kit for ease of configuration

 

[rctempire]

We use it on all our sites, great kit for ease of configuration

Yep installed plenty at customers. Never bothered. I do like the wall mounted ones, Pretty neat too.