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New House - WiFi Network Query

collybyrne

Hi All. We recently moved into a new house (self build). We ran Cat-6 to every room in the house and intend to have the main router in the attic connected to a switch feeding all the sockets throughout the house.

I would like to install wireless access points (1 upstairs and 1 downstairs) that I can connect to one of the Ethernet sockets around the house. My question is, can I do this but still have the same network everywhere so I don't have to switch between networks going from downstairs to upstairs and vice versa? Is it as simple as setting up the WAPs to have the same names and passwords?

Finally, any recommendations for WAPs that will do what I'm looking for? Thanks for your help.

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ED E

Same SSID, Same key (password), DIFFERENT channels.

Any old AP will do if you're ok with uncontrolled. You pay more for a controlled setup but the advantage is walking from bedroom to kitchen for a snack you won't be left hanging on the far AP for ages until your client eventually changes over, as soon as you're part way there the controller will very seamlessly move you over.

collybyrne

Thanks very much ED E. Excuse my ignorance but I don't understand the difference between a controlled and an uncontrolled setup. Could you link me to an example of a controlled setup or device?

The high horse brigade

Use this opportunity to go with ceiling mounted access points for the best coverage.

Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-LITE WLAN Access Point https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016K4GQVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cmXZAbVVN0VY6

collybyrne

That's great thanks a million. I had been looking at those but I wasn't sure if I would need to have different networks and passwords for each one.

My Ethernet sockets are all at low level so ceiling mounting isn't an option unfortunately.

The high horse brigade

collybyrne wrote: »

That's great thanks a million. I had been looking at those but I wasn't sure if I would need to have different networks and passwords for each one.

My Ethernet sockets are all at low level so ceiling mounting isn't an option unfortunately.

You can wall mount them too, surely you can ceiling mount the upstairs one?

collybyrne

Yes I could I suppose but the attic is all sheeted out. Don;t want to have to start lifting sheets of plywood!

Just have to find a reasonable 16-port switch now with PoE and I'm sorted.

ED E

collybyrne wrote: »

Thanks very much ED E. Excuse my ignorance but I don't understand the difference between a controlled and an uncontrolled setup. Could you link me to an example of a controlled setup or device?

Uncontrolled: Moving about the house works but can be a little "bumpy"
Controlled: Smooth as butter

If you go with the Ubi units linked above you can use their software to control them. Just need a small PC running 24/7 to do it.

collybyrne

Thanks ED E. Yes I did a bit of reading up on them yesterday and saw that you would need a small PC running constantly. Thats not really an option for me unfortunately. If I had to buy a small PC as well as everything else, I'd probably just be better going for one of the WiFi mesh systems like the Linksys Velop or Google WiFi.

Back to the drawing board I think.

The high horse brigade

collybyrne wrote: »

Thanks ED E. Yes I did a bit of reading up on them yesterday and saw that you would need a small PC running constantly. Thats not really an option for me unfortunately. If I had to buy a small PC as well as everything else, I'd probably just be better going for one of the WiFi mesh systems like the Linksys Velop or Google WiFi.

Back to the drawing board I think.

You can run Ubiquiti access points without the controller software once they're setup, they work away. You can also get a cloud key which is a small device that runs the software
UBIQUITI Networks UniFi Cloud Key Controller https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017T2QB22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CGj0AbTEKA44B

Don't go with mesh, you have cables, use them

collybyrne

If I leave them working away without the software running constantly, will I move from point to point throughout the house or is there a chance I'll stay connected to a much weaker signal even if I'm close to a different AP?

The high horse brigade

collybyrne wrote: »

If I leave them working away without the software running constantly, will I move from point to point throughout the house or is there a chance I'll stay connected to a much weaker signal even if I'm close to a different AP?

They should roam but it's down to the individual end devices themselves how well they handle roaming. Modern devices do this well without needing to control it

collybyrne

Ok sounds good, thanks again.

ArmandsK

Hey you could use MikroTik cAPac or similar device . Ceiling mounted repeaters that connect over cat 6 . Let me know if you need help .

collybyrne

Hi ArmandsK thanks for replying. I had never heard of those before. They're about the same price as the Ubiquiti one linked above. Is there any advantage to one over the other?

I was planning to try two of the Ubiquiti units in an uncontrolled setup first and then if that wasn't working out I was going to add the Cloud Key Controller to run the control software. Would the Microtik solution offer anything different to this?

The high horse brigade

collybyrne wrote: »

Hi ArmandsK thanks for replying. I had never heard of those before. They're about the same price as the Ubiquiti one linked above. Is there any advantage to one over the other?

I was planning to try two of the Ubiquiti units in an uncontrolled setup first and then if that wasn't working out I was going to add the Cloud Key Controller to run the control software. Would the Microtik solution offer anything different to this?

I have a Mikrotik wAP AC setup using the Capsman controller. My advice is to go with Ubiquiti. It's easier setup and has better features without getting in too deep (which I myself enjoy as I'm a Mikrotik geek

). Mikrotik has a huge leaning curve

collybyrne

Thanks THHB. I'm ok when it comes to this stuff but definitely not a geek about it. All I want is a strong common WiFi network throughout the house that's easy for everyone to use wherever they are and that doesn't require manually switching between connections. Hopefully this solution will do the trick.

collybyrne

Just placed an order for one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GQATMFM/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and two of the Ubiquiti WAPs.

Thanks for all the help guys.

The high horse brigade

collybyrne wrote: »

Just placed an order for one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GQATMFM/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and two of the Ubiquiti WAPs.

Thanks for all the help guys.

You need to make sure the Ubiquiti you buy supports POE+. Lots of Ubiquiti support passive POE

collybyrne

I went for the one linked earlier on this thread:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016K4GQVG/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

Just found this on the Ubiquiti data sheet:

PoE Standards The UniFi AC EDU, In-Wall, In-Wall Pro,
and Pro APs are compatible with an 802.3at PoE+
compliant switch. The UniFi AC Pro AP can also use
802.3af PoE.

Think I'm ok. Thanks for the heads up.

The high horse brigade

collybyrne wrote: »

I went for the one linked earlier on this thread:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016K4GQVG/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

Just found this on the Ubiquiti data sheet:

PoE Standards The UniFi AC EDU, In-Wall, In-Wall Pro,
and Pro APs are compatible with an 802.3at PoE+
compliant switch. The UniFi AC Pro AP can also use
802.3af PoE.

Think I'm ok. Thanks for the heads up.

You need to message the supplier and make sure. The earlier version of the Lite didn't support POE+

collybyrne

Will do, thanks.

collybyrne

Just found this when you go to the data sheet for the Lite:

Power Method 802.3af/A PoE
24V Passive PoE (Pairs 4, 5+; 7, 8 Return)

Looks like you're right. I'll cancel the order for the switch. Do you know of any similar ones which would work?

collybyrne

The switch supports the following PoE:

IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3x, 802.3ab, 802.3az, 802.3af and 802.3at (PoE+)

Is 802.3af different to 802.3af/A??

collybyrne

Just found this:

https://help.ubnt.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000263008--UniFi-Understanding-PoE-and-How-UniFi-Devices-are-Powered#active%20vs%20passive

This says the Lite was revised in Sept 2016 to support 802.3af as well as passive. Must go and re-order the switch now!

James 007

All, I have just changed our rental house to Virgin Media. The 240mb hub just arrived today. I got the internet up and running however the download speed is only 26mb/sec through wifi. Would this be normal or could I increase the speed in some way.

ArmandsK

The units are much of a muchness in uncontrolled setup its just the price that is different.I believe Ubiquiti AC-Pro is about 115 Pounds. MikroTik is about 60 pounds .

collybyrne wrote: »

Hi ArmandsK thanks for replying. I had never heard of those before. They're about the same price as the Ubiquiti one linked above. Is there any advantage to one over the other?

I was planning to try two of the Ubiquiti units in an uncontrolled setup first and then if that wasn't working out I was going to add the Cloud Key Controller to run the control software. Would the Microtik solution offer anything different to this?

collybyrne

I went for the Ubiquiti AC-Lite which was about £70. Thanks again for your help.