Mesh router with Vodafone Gigabox and Vodafone TV - how to set up?

shoehorn

I have the Vodafone Gigabox with Fiber connection. I have Vodafone TV running from one of the ports. Everything else connected to wifi.

I want to improve the wifi signal in the rest of the house. I believe a mesh system is the best thing, but I've seen threads (e.g. https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058230052/vodafone-ftth-and-google-mesh-issue ) that makes mesh seem complicated to set up with Gigabox. I got a bit lost with different threads though and whether all the info is still up to date.

Is it the case that I need:

-a cheap Netgear network switch;

-disable wifi on gigabox;

-leave TV connected to Gibabox;

-connect mesh router to Gigabox;

-connect all wifi devices to mesh; ?

Is the setup relatively easy for someone without advanced networking skills?

Also which mesh systems would work well for this setup? I can connect the satellite units with ethernet through the attic if needed.

thanks for any help.

superchippy

Looking to do something similar myself. Did it work for you in the end?

cullenswood

I'll piggback on this aswell if possible.

I recently got Vodafone into the house. Have a Deco M5 mesh system which worked well with my last provider....I have three Units, main, one on the 1st Floor and one in the attic.

I don't seem to be getting consistent high speeds though. I can get 300Mbps standing beside the router via WiFi on my phone. I have the main Deco plugged into this router and am only getting 40Mbps.....and similar-ish on the other two around the house.

Is this right, I thought they could handle faster speeds.

I notice a cheap Netgear network switch is mentioned above. Do I need one of these to get the setup right?

Appreciate any help. Thanks

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120063#Comment_120120063

the deco system, does it allow you to seperate the 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands? if so seperate them and connect to the 5Ghz band only.

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120087#Comment_120120087

Hi, thanks for the reply.

It does allow them to separate, and the 5ghz speeds are similar

Zverklez

My setup results in two different SSID's - Vodafone123 and Vodafone123_EXT, it forces you to switch wifi networks as you move through the house which is not ideal. Interested in seeing if there is a better approach

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120140#Comment_120120140

hmmmm thats unusual, usually you get the correct speeds on the 5ghz band. Its strange that you are getting similar speeds on both.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120178#Comment_120120178

why not just rename them?

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120199#Comment_120120199

Yeah I might just reset the three of them and start again.

Is there a need to turn off the Wifi on the Vodafone router to get the higher speeds, or will i just not get them on the Decos?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120337#Comment_120120337

i would personally as the wifi signals can interfere with each other.

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120390#Comment_120120390

You don't happen to know how to do that with a Gigabox? I can't see it in the app.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120419#Comment_120120419

i presume you need to login to the gui, sorry i have bypassed the gigabox and have my own router connect to the ONT.

Does this help:

https://support.plume.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360020521473-Disable-WiFi-Vodafone

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120435#Comment_120120435

Ha, thanks for that. Yes, had come back on to say I had found that page....and disabled the Wireless. No difference to the Deco speeds though.

What do you mean bypassing the gigabox....is this something I need to do?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120470#Comment_120120470

i would reset the deco and set up again, and make sure everything is connect to 5ghz only, see if that helps.

As for bypassing the gigabox dont think you can as you need it for tv right?

also just to be sure thats not the issue maybe use a different ethernet cable from the gigabox to the deco base unit.

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120511#Comment_120120511

Thanks very much, I'll give all that a go this evening, and let you know how I get on.

Really appreciate the responses

MarkR

I have the vodafone gigabox, no tv though. (I tend to change providers annually to get the best rate). I also have a telephone service with vodafone.

• Vodafone wifi turned off
• Mesh router directly connected to wan port of gigabox
• Mesh router in another room connected by ethernet (this is the ideal, but not always possible)

I have a 5 ghz and a 2.4 ghz network setup. 5 is faster, but doesn't go as far. 2 is good for distance, and older devices.

Any modern device should be able to automatically switch between them.

If you've no phone or tv service, you can replace the gigabox completely with some mesh routers. I use the fritzbox that I got free from pure telecom. Good devices, and you can pick up used ones readily for adding to your network.

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120120554#Comment_120120554

What speeds are you getting on the mesh?

The second router via Ethernet...do you mean a cable running from one room to the other?

MarkR

I have a 500 Mbps Siro connection at the gigabox, so that's the max possible speed. In the room of the first mesh box, I get the same speed as I would from wifi or wired in that room, no drop in speed. I ran an ethernet cable out through the wall, up a drain and into an attic, and then back down into my living room (straight shot through the hotpress, thank you, previous owner!). The living room connection back to the first one is a 1 Gbps connection (limited by the broadband speed only). In the living room, a wired connection is at 500 Mbps, and wireless usually 450+. My office is on the other side of the wall from the living room. I tend to to about 150 Mbps to 200 Mbps, which is fine for my needs.