Mesh solutions with Fritzbox 7530

Waesfjord

For SIRO, I'm planning on locating the Fritz 7530 within cabinet remote from ONT, location is where all Cat5e prelaid cables can be terminated (So attached to router via switch), then avail of mesh system for WiFi around house connected to Cat5e points as backhaul.

I've read that mesh protocol on the Fritz 7530 is proprietary so options to me seem to be either
1. mesh using Fritzbox repeaters with Wifi left on Fritz modem/router (they aren't cheap, but seem to be good quality from reviews),
2. switch off WiFi from 7530 and go with a completely separate mesh WiFi solution 2x or 3x units around house.

I also have network inputs from house alarm, Hue hub, etc - would these need to connect to mesh router as opposed to Fritz 7530 for option #2 above?

Can someone advise what may be best option for me?

WLad

Waesfjord wrote: »

For SIRO, I'm planning on locating the Fritz 7530 within cabinet remote from ONT, location is where all Cat5e prelaid cables can be terminated (So attached to router via switch), then avail of mesh system for WiFi around house connected to Cat5e points as backhaul.

I've read that mesh protocol on the Fritz 7530 is proprietary so options to me seem to be either
1. mesh using Fritzbox repeaters with Wifi left on Fritz modem/router (they aren't cheap, but seem to be good quality from reviews),
2. switch off WiFi from 7530 and go with a completely separate mesh WiFi solution 2x or 3x units around house.

I also have network inputs from house alarm, Hue hub, etc - would these need to connect to mesh router as opposed to Fritz 7530 for option #2 above?

Can someone advise what may be best option for me?

I have an extremely similar setup. I have the fritzbox WiFi turned off and I use tp link deco m5s. If I was you I'd set whatever mesh you go for to access point mode. You won't get the benefit of qos, parental control etc but I would rather use the fritzbox as the router.

You can connect any network devices to your mesh as well, as long as the mesh solution you go for has ethernet ports if that's what they need. The mesh access point is just an extension of your network.

It's obviously up to you but I would prefer to go with a third party option because then it's yours and your isp has nothing to do with it.

Waesfjord

Thanks for reply, I think I understand who it works now. Just to double check, on option where 3x mesh devices used for WiFi with Fritz modem/router having WiFi disabled and network connections consist of ONT connected to fritz router, this connected to switch, to which all house points are connected to including those connected to the mesh devices themselves...

- does that mean that internal network IP addresses for ethernet connections only are managed by Fritz router (including the mesh devices themselves), with a separate internal WiFi network managed by one of the mesh devices for the mobile devices?
- with 3x mesh devices being used, one must manually be defined as WiFi router, others as access points only. WiFi router device manages network IP's, other access points are simple extensions of same WiFi network
- Mesh devices may have additional ethernet ports on them. If so, their IP addresses would be assigned by Fritz router, when something plugged in those ethernet ports?

That makes sense in my head anyway

WLad

Waesfjord wrote: »

Thanks for reply, I think I understand who it works now. Just to double check, on option where 3x mesh devices used for WiFi with Fritz modem/router having WiFi disabled and network connections consist of ONT connected to fritz router, this connected to switch, to which all house points are connected to including those connected to the mesh devices themselves...

- does that mean that internal network IP addresses for ethernet connections only are managed by Fritz router (including the mesh devices themselves), with a separate internal WiFi network managed by one of the mesh devices for the mobile devices?
- with 3x mesh devices being used, one must manually be defined as WiFi router, others as access points only. WiFi router device manages network IP's, other access points are simple extensions of same WiFi network
- Mesh devices may have additional ethernet ports on them. If so, their IP addresses would be assigned by Fritz router, when something plugged in those ethernet ports?

That makes sense in my head anyway

Almost completely correct. The only part incorrect is that one of the mesh nodes must be a router. Most of the better ones support router mode or access point mode. I would not buy one that doesn't support access point mode.

I would recommend only having one router in your system. If you have one of your mesh nodes in router mode then you will hit issues with double NAT. If you put the mesh system in access point mode then none of them are routers. In this mode the fritzbox is still your dhcp server and therefore it manages every single IP address regardless of whether the device is connected to your network via a mesh node's WiFi or via an ethernet port on your router, switch or access point ethernet port.

alec76

Why would you need to use Fritzbox at all?
Most of the Mesh systems could establish PPPoE connection and VLAN tagging on it is own ( except Eero , BT Mesh , Google Mesh )

alec76

alec76 wrote: »

Why would you need to use Fritzbox at all?
Most of the Mesh systems could establish PPPoE connection and VLAN tagging on it is own ( except Eero , BT Mesh , Google Mesh )

Some of them like Google WiFi don't allow you set VLAN 10 on the Wan port

WLad

It's swings and roundabouts anyway.

For me I use it because just like OP I have ethernet all over my house and I want my routing to be done in the attic where my switches are but I don't want to waste an AP up there where it will never be used. So the fritzbox (which is very good by the way) routes to everywhere in the house and I have APs and devices dangling from there.

Johnboy1951

I own a FritzBox 7590 and am considering getting a second Fritz unit for mesh - maybe Fritz 3000 repeater.
I am also looking at the various other functions coming to the FritzBox such as home device control ...... lighting, switches, heating etc.

Is there any technical reason to prefer alternatives to the Fritz?
It appears to have all, or most of, the functions I would require ...... telephone ports, DECT and mesh.

Waesfjord

WLad wrote: »

It's swings and roundabouts anyway.

For me I use it because just like OP I have ethernet all over my house and I want my routing to be done in the attic where my switches are but I don't want to waste an AP up there where it will never be used. So the fritzbox (which is very good by the way) routes to everywhere in the house and I have APs and devices dangling from there.

Similarly, my network hub is in small under stairs room, so if a mesh device there in router mode, then WiFi signal will be likely poor / sub-optimal for downstairs users. So think better to use the Fritzbox as router (no WiFi), then site my Mesh as Access Points around house to provide WiFi in main rooms where I need a strong broadband signal. I intend to start with one AP in both up/downstairs and see if that is sufficient.

Seems Ubiquiti models are well regarded for ethernet backhaul, or perhaps Deco M9 AP's - any clear cut better boards recommendations?

TheDriver

i use M4s for my wifi but I do use the fritz for the routing. I tried the M4s but they just don't process the gig for wired conecction so the fritz does the routing and wired and hands over the wifi to M4s. I get good throughput with a nice 200-300 on most devices, more than enough.
Obv wired is getting the gig

Waesfjord

Waesfjord wrote: »

Seems Ubiquiti models are well regarded for ethernet backhaul, or perhaps Deco M9 AP's - any clear cut better boards recommendations?

Looking into Ubiquiti equipment, a good fit seems to be using a 'UniFi In-Wall HD' Access Point downstairs
(https://eu.store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-in-wall-hd) in main room at existing network point behind tv, powered over internet from network hub switch so tidy install, this can be hardwired to tv, skybox, Xbox, also providing WiFi for open plan main living area / downstairs.
Then using something like a UniFi Access AP upstairs over POE e.g. PRO model (https://eu.store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-ac-pro?gclid=CjwKCAiAkJKCBhAyEiwAKQBCkrsTlfjJWjNgbPz7UjJP7X5Qm_c9Ik4K_2-x0mvnYVvdd_a3MFQPLhoCekoQAvD_BwE)

alec76

Wow, 4x4 MIMO ,Definitely different league to TP link’s APs

Waesfjord

alec76 wrote: »

Wow, 4x4 MIMO ,Definitely different league to TP link’s APs

am I over speccing devices for homr? Thought that these make a tidy install, as AP's are POE (so needing POE switch at network hub), they also provide additional ethernet ports at AP positions which I need.

Waesfjord

Waesfjord wrote: »

am I over speccing devices for homr? Thought that these make a tidy install, as AP's are POE (so needing POE switch at network hub), they also provide additional ethernet ports at AP positions which I need.

No, Ubiquiti are an enterprise solution used in hotels and are excellent in tthe home. TP Link are more of a cheap and cheerful residential solution, wouldn't be a patch on Ubiquiti

alec76

Waesfjord wrote: »

make a tidy install, as AP's are POE

Just make sure your Cat cables are solid copper, not CCA.

Waesfjord

alec76 wrote: »

Just make sure your Cat cables are solid copper, not CCA.

Thanks, I checked cable, markings as follows:

Gigamedia ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 Category 5E U/UTP PVC Cable 4 pair 15099 PO1I 0298M

From Gigamedia website, this uses 25 AWG copper, rated for POE.
https://www.gigamedia.net/c4046

andublin

You could do mesh (wired or wireless) with a second Fritz!Box, could pick one up on adverts.ie
They self-update with new firmware pretty frequently, and brought the mesh capabilities in that way for example.
Alternatively the newer Ubiquiti Unifi U6-Lite gets pretty brilliant reviews. Wire it up and use it as a WAP; but you’ll also need to buy a Powered POE switch or POE injector, to give it power as it needs Power Over Ethernet, no other power input.

Waesfjord

andublin wrote: »

You could do mesh (wired or wireless) with a second Fritz!Box, could pick one up on adverts.ie
They self-update with new firmware pretty frequently, and brought the mesh capabilities in that way for example.
Alternatively the newer Ubiquiti Unifi U6-Lite gets pretty brilliant reviews. Wire it up and use it as a WAP; but you’ll also need to buy a Powered POE switch or POE injector, to give it power as it needs Power Over Ethernet, no other power input.

I'm now looking to take this on as a mini-project for myself (lockdown challenge), to get a cabinet at network hub position, terminate everything there on keystone jacks to patch panel, to POE switch to AP's around the house. Ubiquiti range seems good based on feedback and reviews. I wouldn't expect to be updating this for several years, not one to tinker every other month.

Would require POE switch connected to router, then POE AP's around house etc.

One question I'd like to asked the boardsies is for current ethernet point directly behind the tv position. Here, there are multiple ethernet users (tv, Xbox, Sky Box, Amazon TV Box, Sonos Beam) and WiFi users (amazon 4k stick, tv can take WiFi alternately, mobile users in room).

• Was thinking of using an In-Wall HD Access Point (UAP-IW-HD) as provides 4x ethernet ports + WiFI AP behind tv but unclear if WiFi will simply be blocked by a 42" tv (sheet of metal), so wasted / no good for mobile users, also the 4x outlet ports on this in-wall unit, if POE, are they unsuitable for connection to users above if powered.
• Alternative is to have just a simple switch here, plugged in locally (just another power lead to the clutter), however POE and wall mountable would be preferable as tidier. This connects all ethernet users above only, with separate WiFi AP elsewhere in room/adjoining for WiFi users.

Mc Love

Anyone use Google Wifi?

andublin

Waesfjord wrote: »

[*]Alternative is to have just a simple switch here, plugged in locally (just another power lead to the clutter), however POE and wall mountable would be preferable as tidier.

Yup, There are some Poe powered switches you could consider, some even provide Poe passthrough.