Google WiFi Set Up Question

iancairns

Hey Guys,

Just purchased this.

I have it set up, seemed easy.

But once I disconnected from Modem and removed Ethernet cable and moved to a diff point in house it stopped working?

Does the unit have to be connected to modem at all times via Ethernet cable?

I thought whole point was this acts as WiFi booster, so can plug somewhere else?

Also once you set up a network WiFi name do you recommend then always connecting to this rather than your old Internet Name?

Thanks!

(pS the plug is ghastly!)

degsie

From what I understand, as these units are designed as a mesh system, the first unit acts as a base unit so needs direct connection to your router.

iancairns

degsie wrote: »

From what I understand, as these units are designed as a mesh system, the first unit acts as a base unit so needs direct connection to your router.

Yep seems so. They don’t make it clear in their YT videos. Pity as then would have bought 2. What’s the point of having essentially 2 routers sitting beside each other with same reach

bk

iancairns wrote: »

Yep seems so. They don’t make it clear in their YT videos. Pity as then would have bought 2. What’s the point of having essentially 2 routers sitting beside each other with same reach

Because ISP supplied routers are usually terrible. I've a Netgear R7800 router sitting right next to my ISP supplied router (Virgin) * and the performance of the Netgear is so much better it isn't even funny. As in almost 10 times faster throughout the entire house!

* Note in this setup, you turn the wifi off on the ISP supplied router and turn the ISP router into a modem only.

Most typical Irish homes don't need wifi extenders or even wifi mesh systems like this Google one. They are often more trouble then they are worth. Usually a good quality router to replace the old one, well placed will solve most peoples wifi problems in my experience.

It is mostly only people with absolutely massive homes, (like 10+ bedroom houses) that need wifi mesh. It is a waste for most people.

It is possible that your single Google Wifi device will perform a lot better then your ISP supplied router. Though if you were going down this approach, I'd go with something like the R7800 instead, it performs even better in a sinlge device setup.

iancairns

bk wrote: »

Because ISP supplied routers are usually terrible. I've a Netgear R7800 router sitting right next to my ISP supplied router (Virgin) * and the performance of the Netgear is so much better it isn't even funny. As in almost 10 times faster throughout the entire house!

* Note in this setup, you turn the wifi off on the ISP supplied router and turn the ISP router into a modem only.

Most typical Irish homes don't need wifi extenders or even wifi mesh systems like this Google one. They are often more trouble then they are worth. Usually a good quality router to replace the old one, well placed will solve most peoples wifi problems in my experience.

It is mostly only people with absolutely massive homes, (like 10+ bedroom houses) that need wifi mesh. It is a waste for most people.

It is possible that your single Google Wifi device will perform a lot better then your ISP supplied router. Though if you were going down this approach, I'd go with something like the R7800 instead, it performs even better in a sinlge device setup.

I have the Vodafone box, it was working quite well.

Apparently the Google WiFi automatically puts you on faster WiFi so assuming it would move me from the 5G to the 2.5g as soon as that goes out of reach. Is that not a perk?

So rather than keep WiFi on both on, turn the WiFi off the Vodafone box.

To be honest I bought the Google WiFi for the new house before I knew I would 100% need it. I came from
Virgin in the old house.

Vodafone seems better reach.

Thanks!

bk

iancairns wrote: »

I have the Vodafone box, it was working quite well.

All the ISP's latest boxes are ok, better then the previous junk they gave, they realised quality wifi is becoming more important. However it would still be pretty entry level compared to a decent third party one like yours.

iancairns wrote: »

Apparently the Google WiFi automatically puts you on faster WiFi so assuming it would move me from the 5G to the 2.5g as soon as that goes out of reach. Is that not a perk?

Yes, any decent router should do that. Basically one shared wireless name and it will automatically move you between 5GHz (faster, but less range) and 2.4GHz as needed.

iancairns wrote: »

So rather than keep WiFi on both on, turn the WiFi off the Vodafone box.

Yes.

iancairns wrote: »

To be honest I bought the Google WiFi for the new house before I knew I would 100% need it. I came from
Virgin in the old house.

Vodafone seems better reach.

Thanks!

Well that could be down to a variety of factors. New house made out of different materials (some can block signals), different size house, better placement of the wifi router, less interference from neighbours. Wifi is very variable and can be effected by lots of different things.

Having a good quality router like yours should allow your wifi performance be independent of the ISP you are with. So you might not have gotten what you expect buying the Google Wifi, but may well very much benefit from it.

Also you can add a second one later if you feel you need it. However about this, it is better if you can connect the second one by ethernet too, that is how you get the best performance. Using them as an actual wireless mesh gives only ok performance.

Stoner

I've Google WiFi , delivered in the older hardware format.

As BK says it's an option to turn off WiFi on the old router.

It's best to have fewer WiFi signals banging around anyway.

They are mesh and only boost their own sigals

I'm very happy with it, the ease that you can see and rename all the devices on the network is very useful, as is the family options.

iancairns

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Turning WiFi off Vodafone router as we speak.

micks_address

iancairns wrote: »

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Turning WiFi off Vodafone router as we speak.

I bought two units in argos last month. They were on specialist 239. One downstairs and one upstairs. Strong WiFi everywhere. I like the features of the Google WiFi app