Wifi mesh systems

54and56 · 02-01-2021 12:02PM

So having read a good bit of this thread and several reviews (all very positive) I've ordered a 2 pod TaoTronics Tri-Band AC3000 mesh system and will add a 3rd pod separately if needs be.

ATM I have a dual band ASUS RT-N66U router with a lot of IOT devices (thermostat, smart plugs, Nest cameras etc) connected to the 2.4GHz channel and phones and laptops etc connected to the faster 5GHz channel.

With the benefit of experience would you recommend any tips or actions I should take to prepare for installing the Mesh system?

My current 2.4GHz network has a horrible name e.g. "ASUS-RT-N66U_2.4GHz".

I'd like to avoid having to re-connect all the 2.4GHz devices when I install the new Mesh system but don't want to have to carry the existing "ASUS-RT-N66U_2.4GHz" network name over to the Mesh system.

Does anyone know if I go into my current router and rename "ASUS-RT-N66U_2.4GHz" to something more suitable like "SmithFamilyWiFi" or whatever will the devices which are currently connected "ASUS-RT-N66U_2.4GHz" continue to be connected to "SmithFamilyWiFi" post the name change or will the name change mean they all have to be re-connected to "SmithFamilyWiFi" in which case I might as well just wait and do that when the Mesh system has been installed?

davo2001 · 02-01-2021 12:06PM

You can't change the name (SSID) without having to manually reconnect all the devices.

Daveq · 02-01-2021 09:15PM

54and56 wrote: »

Does anyone know if I go into my current router and rename "ASUS-RT-N66U_2.4GHz" to something more suitable like "SmithFamilyWiFi" or whatever will the devices which are currently connected "ASUS-RT-N66U_2.4GHz" continue to be connected to "SmithFamilyWiFi" post the name change or will the name change mean they all have to be re-connected to "SmithFamilyWiFi" in which case I might as well just wait and do that when the Mesh system has been installed?

Wait until you have the new router. I would then deactivate WiFi on your service provider router and replace the Asus with TaoTronics

54and56 · 02-01-2021 09:47PM

Daveq wrote: »

Wait until you have the new router. I would then deactivate WiFi on your service provider router and replace the Asus with TaoTronics

Thanks Daveq,

My Virgin router was switched to modem only several years ago so I guess once the TT arrives I just need to unplug the Asus, set up the TT remembering to name the TTs 2.4GHz network to exactly the same name and password as the existing 2.4GHz network and fingers crossed all 26 or so (mostly IoT type) devices which use the 2.4GHz network will automatically connect to the TT. I'd hate to have to go round and re-connect them all, some of them, like the Tado thermostat haven't been touched in years!!

Gooey Looey · 02-01-2021 09:51PM

54and56 wrote: »

Thanks Daveq,

My Virgin router was switched to modem only several years ago so I guess once the TT arrives I just need to unplug the Asus, set up the TT remembering to name the TTs 2.4GHz network to exactly the same name and password as the existing 2.4GHz network and fingers crossed all 26 or so (mostly IoT type) devices which use the 2.4GHz network will automatically connect to the TT. I'd hate to have to go round and re-connect them all, some of them, like the Tado thermostat haven't been touched in years!!

The client devices may not like the change in BSSID (Mac address for access point) renaming and reconnecting may be safer

54and56 · 02-01-2021 10:36PM

Gooey Looey wrote: »

The client devices may not like the change in BSSID (Mac address for access point) renaming and reconnecting may be safer

:-(

Leftwaffe · 03-01-2021 12:56AM

Quick question, will a mesh system make the existing WiFi networks disappear and replace them with a single new network with the same SSID all across the house?

Just wondering what will happen to my dual band WiFi networks that I’m currently using from Eir.

Gooey Looey · 03-01-2021 12:59AM

Redordeadqwwer wrote: »

Quick question, will a mesh system make the existing WiFi networks disappear and replace them with a single new network with the same SSID all across the house?

Just wondering what will happen to my dual band WiFi networks that I’m currently using from Eir.

If you add mesh it is very important that you disable wireless on your existing router and create a new network on the mesh

Leftwaffe · 03-01-2021 01:09AM

Gooey Looey wrote: »

If you add mesh it is very important that you disable wireless on your existing router and create a new network on the mesh

That explains it. Thank you.

Also, one other question. I have a power line adapter running from my router up to my bedroom in order to hardwire an Ethernet cable to my TV. would I be able to keep this whilst setting up a mesh system?

Gooey Looey · 03-01-2021 01:29AM

Redordeadqwwer wrote: »

That explains it. Thank you.

Also, one other question. I have a power line adapter running from my router up to my bedroom in order to hardwire an Ethernet cable to my TV. would I be able to keep this whilst setting up a mesh system?

Of course

54and56 · 03-01-2021 05:43PM

Gooey Looey wrote: »

The client devices may not like the change in BSSID (Mac address for access point) renaming and reconnecting may be safer

Thanks for the tip. I guess I shouldn't do this the lazy way (keeping the old WiFi name) and just accept I'm going to have to re-connect all devices to the new Mesh system. My main concern is re-connecting the Tado thermometer system as that's got a WiFi bridge etc but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Other than that WiFi plugs are easy technically but somewhat painful as a few are in not so easy to reach locations. The Nest Hello and Camera should be straightforward.

One more question:-

I operate a home office so have Virgin business broadband and as part of that I've 5 static IP addresses from them. I only use one of them and it's allocated to the existing ASUS router (connected by Ethernet to the Virgin Modem) as the WAN IP address.

I can't quite recall the reason for or benefits of having a static IP address set as the WAN IP address but I guess I should replicate the static IP address as the WAN address on the TT Mesh system?

If anyone has any suggestions for using the other 4 static IP addresses I currently don't use I'm all ears!!

Debs91 · 03-01-2021 08:13PM

Hi all,

I’m enquiring what would be the best means of extending the Fibre to the bedroom & outside workshop area? I’ve tried the TP Link N450 Wireless N Access Point but it’s losing connection so would like to stabilize this if possible.

Vodafone FTTH 500mb bundle

Thanks,

Deborah

Cyrus · 03-01-2021 10:49PM

Debs91 wrote: »

Hi all,

I’m enquiring what would be the best means of extending the Fibre to the bedroom & outside workshop area? I’ve tried the TP Link N450 Wireless N Access Point but it’s losing connection so would like to stabilize this if possible.

Vodafone FTTH 500mb bundle

Thanks,

Deborah

Best way is to run cat6 cabling to the locations , if you can’t do that either power line adapters or a decent WiFi mesh system (google one or similar )

Damien360 · 03-01-2021 11:08PM

Debs91 wrote: »

Hi all,

I’m enquiring what would be the best means of extending the Fibre to the bedroom & outside workshop area? I’ve tried the TP Link N450 Wireless N Access Point but it’s losing connection so would like to stabilize this if possible.

Vodafone FTTH 500mb bundle

Thanks,

Deborah

Are you using the TP-link as a router after the Vodafone modem ? Or is it an AP ?

I have virgin BB and put it in modem mode with Google mesh router and 2 x AP's. Not cheap but gives good coverage. Overkill possibly.

If you have a router and want to use the TP-link as a AP, you could try connect it to the router via powerline connections and then let it be a AP to other wireless devices or a couple of wired in that one location also. I had a similar setup previously but you loose a lot of speed over powerline (drops to 15% of house input in my case). But you get stability.

Depends what you wish to spend and your needs in each location. Google mesh is very good but doesn't give the coverage they advertise (in my case anyway). Just like any wifi 5Ghz signal, it cannot penetrate solid walls very well. It does have 2.4GHz auto switching built in to get around that. So I had to add another AP point to my purchase of one router and one AP. The setup and control in the app though is excellent.

Cyrus · 04-01-2021 02:49PM

funkey_monkey wrote: »

I take it this is okay-would like to get this finished.

optimal placement is on a ceiling facing down but itll work where you want to put just not optimally.

DrPhilG · 04-01-2021 02:52PM

Had 2 Unifi APs in place while I waited for 2 more to come in the post.

Both were delivering a comfortable 350-400mbps.

Added the extra 1 in the house last night plus 1 in the garage, now all 4 working but maxing out at 98mbps.

Suggestions?

Cyrus · 04-01-2021 02:54PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

Had 2 Unifi APs in place while I waited for 2 more to come in the post.

Both were delivering a comfortable 350-400mbps.

Added the extra 1 in the house last night plus 1 in the garage, now all 4 working but maxing out at 98mbps.

Suggestions?

are they all hard wired?

DrPhilG · 04-01-2021 03:23PM

Cyrus wrote: »

are they all hard wired?

Yes all 4. One in the garage is at the far end of a 100m cat-6 but the poe injector is at the far end rather than the house side.

That said the one in the garage is saying "connected (100fdx)" which I believe indicates that the speed is limited.

The 3 in the house shouldn't be affected by that though should they?

Cyrus · 04-01-2021 03:31PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

Yes all 4. One in the garage is at the far end of a 100m cat-6 but the poe injector is at the far end rather than the house side.

That said the one in the garage is saying "connected (100fdx)" which I believe indicates that the speed is limited.

The 3 in the house shouldn't be affected by that though should they?

no they shouldnt but you are correct that one is connected at 100fdx not 1000fdx so the speed on that AP is limited.

mind me asking why you went for that model for the garage?

maybe some useful info here?

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1251817-unifi-ap-s-slow-speeds

DrPhilG · 04-01-2021 03:36PM

Cyrus wrote: »

mind me asking why you went for that model for the garage?

I was originally going to install one outside but later decided not to bother. Already had it bought though so decided it would be fine for the garage.

I'm wondering if channel selection is an issue. Some of the APs are set to auto selection, some have a channel set.

Could it be causing issues now that I have 3 in a row rather than 2 at opposite ends of the bungalow?

I'll have a read of that link now.

Cyrus · 04-01-2021 03:49PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

I was originally going to install one outside but later decided not to bother. Already had it bought though so decided it would be fine for the garage.

I'm wondering if channel selection is an issue. Some of the APs are set to auto selection, some have a channel set.

Could it be causing issues now that I have 3 in a row rather than 2 at opposite ends of the bungalow?

I'll have a read of that link now.

yeah id set the 2.4g channels 1/6/11

presume you are connected to a 5ghz ssid with that many APs? if not split 2.4 and 5 and connect to the 5 only.

DrPhilG · 04-01-2021 04:12PM

Cyrus wrote: »

yeah id set the 2.4g channels 1/6/11

presume you are connected to a 5ghz ssid with that many APs? if not split 2.4 and 5 and connect to the 5 only.

Sorry getting a bit lost now...

I chose the option during setup to only display one wifi network and whatever connects to it chooses 2g/5g. Realistically only smartphones connect to the 5g network, everything else (smart plugs, bulbs, tumble dryer etc) connects to the 2g.

Cyrus · 04-01-2021 04:34PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

Sorry getting a bit lost now...

I chose the option during setup to only display one wifi network and whatever connects to it chooses 2g/5g. Realistically only smartphones connect to the 5g network, everything else (smart plugs, bulbs, tumble dryer etc) connects to the 2g.

what ive done is split them, so the devices that can use 5ghz only connect to 5ghz, i find it works better.

DrPhilG · 04-01-2021 04:52PM

Cyrus wrote: »

what ive done is split them, so the devices that can use 5ghz only connect to 5ghz, i find it works better.

I haven't set it that way, but it is working that way anyway. Phones only ever connect to the 5g.

I'm wondering if I need to do some futering with the channel selections. Maybe now that there are 3 in the house instead of 4, I'm getting some interference.

Cyrus · 04-01-2021 05:00PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

I haven't set it that way, but it is working that way anyway. Phones only ever connect to the 5g.

I'm wondering if I need to do some futering with the channel selections. Maybe now that there are 3 in the house instead of 4, I'm getting some interference.

it would be no harm,

are you 100% sure when you are doing the speed test that the phone is connecting via 5g?

also maybe worth disconnecting the garage ap see if thats causing an issue.

DrPhilG · 04-01-2021 05:05PM

Cyrus wrote: »

it would be no harm,

are you 100% sure when you are doing the speed test that the phone is connecting via 5g?

also maybe worth disconnecting the garage ap see if thats causing an issue.

Phone has only ever connected on 5g AFAIK. But was definitely on 5g last night when testing.

I'll test with disconnecting the garage AP. I think I'll need to get hold of a crimping tool and fix the ends. They were added in a hurry by a spark and look very messy. The garage AP was working find for a while last night before changing to 100fdx so I think it's just a connection issue.

Soarer · 04-01-2021 05:32PM

Anyone any experience in setting up a Deco system?

No matter what I do, I can't get the speeds close to the modem speed.

Gooey Looey · 04-01-2021 05:34PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

Yes all 4. One in the garage is at the far end of a 100m cat-6 but the poe injector is at the far end rather than the house side.

That said the one in the garage is saying "connected (100fdx)" which I believe indicates that the speed is limited.

The 3 in the house shouldn't be affected by that though should they?

Disconnect it, bring it to the router and plug in using Ethernet cable to see if it connects at full speed. You may have a bad c connector or a damaged core on the cable to the shed

degsie · 04-01-2021 05:55PM

Soarer wrote: »

Anyone any experience in setting up a Deco system?

No matter what I do, I can't get the speeds close to the modem speed.

I have mine set up in AP mode and use a third party router and get near full speeds on VM.

Gregor Samsa · 04-01-2021 06:19PM

Soarer wrote: »

Anyone any experience in setting up a Deco system?

No matter what I do, I can't get the speeds close to the modem speed.

What speeds are you getting, and what speed is your broadband?

If you have very fast broadband (500mbps, 1gbps), realistically you're not going to get those kinds of speeds over wifi no matter what.

Wifi mesh systems

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