Mesh Wi-fi

[MLB]

I think I'll just get one ordered then, won't break the bank at 65 delivered. I've read you can get a software controller running off a computer but I don't have a computer on 24/7 so controller is probably best.

There's settings that I believe have to be actually activated manually for seamless roaming but it's also signal strength dependant and not all access points support it.

Honestly, I've been researching network equipment for about two months now and the amount of options and different ecosystems is overwhelming.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I think I'll just get one ordered then, won't break the bank at 65 delivered. I've read you can get a software controller running off a computer but I don't have a computer on 24/7 so controller is probably best.

There's settings that I believe have to be actually activated manually for seamless roaming but it's also signal strength dependant and not all access points support it.

Honestly, I've been researching network equipment for about two months now and the amount of options and different ecosystems is overwhelming.

802.11r IIRC

I was looking into it and it was one of those classic IT bits of nonsense where it claims to help with quicker handover from one AP to another but on some devices it may cause worse handover and complete drops. I turned it on because I paid for the feature but I've no idea if it's helping or not.

Great.

 

[ChrisR]

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

View attachment 1681260

I've got a U6 in wall and it's pretty smart. Temptation is there to upgrade to a U7 along with swapping my UDR for a UDR7....

 

[rctempire]

I've got a U6 in wall and it's pretty smart. Temptation is there to upgrade to a U7 along with swapping my UDR for a UDR7....

Yeah have one, when doing office up (this month) ill put it in the wall see if its useful or not.

 

[ChrisR]

I have no need to upgrade, anything that’s 2.5G capable is all connected to a 2.5G flex mini, but the temptation is still there.

Plus could sell the UDR to get a bit back.

 

[Ray Gin]

What's the best TP Link (or others) adaptors for gigafast internet these days? I did have TP gear a few years back but I'm guessing there's newer stuff out now.

 

[Flob]

They recently released their WiFi 7 jizz which looks good.

 

[Ray Gin]

They recently released their WiFi 7 jizz which looks good.

I don't know if this is a joke

 

[MLB]

I've got a tp link omada setup with three wired (WiFi6) access points, switch and a controller, I've not had time to set it up properly but even plugging it in it just seems to work fine.

Lots of advanced options with multiple networks and remote control if you need that and it looks like they've got WiFi7 access points too.

If you don't need anything fancy, just fast wireless Internet I believe their Deco range is good as well.

 

[Flob]

😂 it's not. Google WiFi 7 TP link mesh, there's quite a few options. Next time I need something I'll get WiFi 7, apparently a lot faster.

 

[Flob]

As MLB, I currently have their Deco mesh and it was so easy to install and setup.

 

[Ray Gin]

Cheers boys!

 

[Oggy997]

😂 it's not. Google WiFi 7 TP link mesh, there's quite a few options. Next time I need something I'll get WiFi 7, apparently a lot faster.

But do any of your devices support it?
I've just upgraded to WiFi 7, not configured it yet, but I'm not sure I've got anything but my phone that runs on it 😂

Maybe my surface pro 10, but that's it.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I've upgraded fully to TP-Link WiFI6 kit now. I've got three EAP653s and an EAP650 with an OC200 controller. Mostly pretty good though I'm still having a few issues with handover in a couple of awkward bits of the house where it isn't passing devices over to the stronger AP. Good speed though.

 

[Flob]

But do any of your devices support it?
I've just upgraded to WiFi 7, not configured it yet, but I'm not sure I've got anything but my phone that runs on it 😂

Maybe my surface pro 10, but that's it.

I only really care about my computer, I'm not sure anything else can take advantage of the speed increase but I plug my pc into the mesh node.

 

[Oggy997]

Just run a 50m ethernet cable to the router.
Job jobbed

 

[Ray Gin]

One of my mates has this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LW5VPPV/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Connected to router downstairs and the adaptor is in a spare room upstairs, Ethernet from the adaptor into the Xbox. His speeds have actually went down. 500Mbps download speeds and his Xbox is showing 40Mbps and very high ping. On normal WiFi his Xbox is about 150-200Mbps. Using Cat5e cable.

Any ideas?

 

[Oggy997]

They're often hit and miss. I ran one in the loft for cctv, but when I put my nas there the poor speed was evident.

I ended up putting a new satellite in there and accepting the half duplex link.

Needs to be on modern wiring, on the same circuit as the other end, ideally without microwaves (and other appliances) on there too as they create noise.
While they work on other circuits, they need to pass through the fuse box which impacts snr

 

[Ray Gin]

They're often hit and miss. I ran one in the loft for cctv, but when I put my nas there the poor speed was evident.

I ended up putting a new satellite in there and accepting the half duplex link.

Dud unit maybe?

I remember using them years ago and they were fine speed wise, although it did drop out occasionally.

 

[Oggy997]

I edited my post, there are so many variables in the use of them.

 

[VXR killer]

Try them in the socket, if speeds go up its the house wiring/going across circuits/interferance. I had similar, had about 70Mbps on my old tv location, other sockets above 120Mbps and 500Mbps sharing the same socket.

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Just run a 50m ethernet cable to the router.
Job jobbed

Serious question. Is that actually feasible? At some point I’ll need to get internet in my outbuilding and I’ve tried putting an Eero hub out there but the signal is shocking. I’m assuming it’s because of the distance and there being two brick wall in the way.

 

[Oggy997]

Yep.
Ania ran a long one, 30-50 during covid, so she could work in the garden

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Serious question. Is that actually feasible? At some point I’ll need to get internet in my outbuilding and I’ve tried putting an Eero hub out there but the signal is shocking. I’m assuming it’s because of the distance and there being two brick wall in the way.

Or if you can't be bothered with the cable, I thin you can fit an outdoor access point to the outside of the house (and hardwire that into the router), then another on the outbuilding (hardwired into a switch / computer on the inside) and use them in mesh mode.

 

[Flob]

Long ethernet cable will be significantly faster too.

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Cheers fellas x

 

[rctempire]

Serious question. Is that actually feasible? At some point I’ll need to get internet in my outbuilding and I’ve tried putting an Eero hub out there but the signal is shocking. I’m assuming it’s because of the distance and there being two brick wall in the way.

100m is the max ethernet can be ran realistically without any issues.

 

[Coby.]

What's the cheapest and simplest setup?

Im f-ing useless with Tech but just want a decent signal to our shed/outbuilding as we're turning it into a mini gym so will want music or a TV streaming out there and the treadmill requires WiFi and we have a cheap WiFi extender plugged in the utility at the minute thats a bit crap.

Its not a long way but our open reach socket is at the other end and side of the house.

Blue Dot - Open reach Socket
Red - Outbuilding/Shed/Gym (Has mains power)
Green - Current cheap WiFi extender plugged in.

 

[Akay]

You could try powerline as the least invasive option. I used this for a number of years and it was fine.

Second option would be something like an EAP225 Outdoor by TP Link, run a cable from that to your router and put it as high as you can on an external wall.

Third (and best) option would be burying a cable and running cat6 or preterminated fibre and linking your router to a garage access point that way.

Id try all of those in turn, from easiest/cheapest to hardest/most expensive.

 

[Akay]

Something like this;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GFHQXBP/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Buy, try, return if shite.

 

[MLB]

Have you got any experience with the eap225 @Akay? I'm looking at that one for front and rear garden Internet, mounted about four meters up (POE via cat5e from the first floor).

Does it still work when you get fairly close to the house/wall where it's mounted?

 

[Akay]

Have you got any experience with the eap225 @Akay? I'm looking at that one for front and rear garden Internet, mounted about four meters up (POE via cat5e from the first floor).

Does it still work when you get fairly close to the house/wall where it's mounted?

Yes, Ive got a full Omada setup at home. I found having the aerials upright but with the 'fin' angled towards the target area helped, but there was no issues with signal anywhere near it, no. I did ultimately end up running fibre but thats because I wanted a hardwired connection for my NAS. and some other bits.

You can run them standalone without the controller, just works as an access point.

 

[MLB]

Cool, sounds like it's pretty much plug and play then. I've got an oc200 controller, added another EAP653 last week, which took more time to unpack than to add to the network.

It all needs setting up properly but I haven't had time for that yet.

How have you connected the NAS and which one do you have?

 

[Akay]

Cool, sounds like it's pretty much plug and play then. I've got an oc200 controller, added another EAP653 last week, which took more time to unpack than to add to the network.

It all needs setting up properly but I haven't had time for that yet.

How have you connected the NAS and which one do you have?

Yeah, if you have an OC200 already it will just adopt it when it finds it.

Give me a shout if you need any tips, im not an expert mind, just ran them for about 4 years in various guises. Ive got all Wifi 6 units now (with the built in switches) and coverage is awesome.

I ran a WD Mycloud Home 2tb for 2.5 years (actually selling a brand new one on here...!), but ended up with a Synology DS225+ as I needed more space, otherwise would probably stick with the WD as its easy to use. Its plugged into one of the ports on an EAP in my office.

 

[MLB]

Brilliant, thank you. I'll need to hang the APs up properly first, coverage is still a bit patchy as they're now just literally plugged in and dumped on wardrobes and window sills 😂

Then might have to look into adjusting the signal strength as I've read if there's too much overlap the switching to a stronger signal can be a bit poor.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Brilliant, thank you. I'll need to hang the APs up properly first, coverage is still a bit patchy as they're now just literally plugged in and dumped on wardrobes and window sills 😂

Then might have to look into adjusting the signal strength as I've read if there's too much overlap the switching to a stronger signal can be a bit poor.

The OC200 has an AI optimisation routine that (allegedly) balances power across APs. I've used it a few times and it claims to have improved coverage / roaming etc. but overall it's pretty decent anyway so I'm not sure I noticed.

 

[MLB]

Ah I didn't know that, I'll have a look at that, thank you!

 

[Akay]

Yeah good point, I have mine set to run every few weeks and it lists how much improvement it makes. It did stop the issues we had with roaming devices - my wifes laptop was in a weird position where it would flit between two AFPs and cause dropouts in the process, but the optimisation has made it stick to just one!

 

[MLB]

Took me over an hour to sort.. For some obscure reason the network was in mesh mode even though all APs are hardwired. Because it's in mesh mode the AI optimizer doesn't show, but with the million options in all the menus it took me a while to realise why.

As I said, I need to do some work setting things up properly 😂

Seems to have worked though, optimiser gone from 40% to 75% so we'll see if it makes a difference.