Wifi mesh systems

Ush1 · 12-05-2020 8:58pm

Got Nest Wifi router today. Bit gutted that the router isn't a Google assistant speaker. WiFi range seems grand, probably slight weaker than the virgin media hub but hopefully should be more stable, real reason I bought it.

Clareman · 12-05-2020 9:10pm

I have to admit that I didn't realise that but I have it right next to a Max Speaker so not an issue for me. I think it takes a bit of time for all the updates to sync in and there is a bit of "learning" before it locks down, it does stuff like automatically change bands and stuff like that.

Gerry T · 12-05-2020 9:11pm

Have been lurking about here for a while, I've an old house with split levels and poor WiFi in many areas, I opted for the Huawei Q2 pro over the Deco P9.
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/routers/q2-pro-3pack/
Main reason price but also reading it seems to use the 3 wires for powerline which they say helps signal transmission.

Hope to get the kit next week and I'll report back on how I get on.

Shefwedfan · 12-05-2020 9:15pm

Gerry T wrote: »

Have been lurking about here for a while, I've an old house with split levels and poor WiFi in many areas, I opted for the Huawei Q2 pro over the Deco P9.
https://consumer.huawei.com/en/routers/q2-pro-3pack/
Main reason price but also reading it seems to use the 3 wires for powerline which they say helps signal transmission.

Hope to get the kit next week and I'll report back on how I get on.

You buy from box?

peteb2 · 13-05-2020 8:47am

I've been following this with interest.......as well as the price and stock jumps of the Deco m4! 4 bed standard semi d with the Virgin router in front room far corner. Ran a speed test in various parts of the house as my wifi always switches to mobile data in one of the back bedrooms of the house.

Room with the Hub 3 gives me 240 mbps as does inside the back corner of the house which is straight line with double doors to front room. Office/spare bedroom for WFH, which is front of the house and diagonal gives me about 220 (I was suprised because the connection drops throughout the day!). Own bedrooom is front of house too and about same. But the back two rooms are about 31mbps. And the garden just doesnt exist for wifi.

I take it a 3 back of these should definitely help? Or would i get away with one to replace the route and one upstairs to improve the signal to the back bedrooms. Though i expect one in the kitchen to get to all points of the garden? thanks guys.

budhabob · 13-05-2020 8:49am

So the Google wifi was easy to set up, and has doubled the speed in the office straight away, and improved connectivity throughout the house. Very happy so far.

Grumpypants · 13-05-2020 9:19am

Logged into Amazon today and the MW6 was down £10, cancelled and reordered. And it should arrive earlier too.

Hoping this will be good. I've Ethernet wired to each room so will be able to plug all three cubes in. Hopefully get 100mb + around the house.

Gerry T · 13-05-2020 9:32am

Shefwedfan wrote:

You buy from box?

I did yes, great price, hope it delivers !

They have also a reduced price on the 3pack with 1base and 2 satellites, but I went for the pack with 3 bases.

sweetie · 13-05-2020 9:47am

budhabob wrote: »

So the Google wifi was easy to set up, and has doubled the speed in the office straight away, and improved connectivity throughout the house. Very happy so far.

Wheres did you get it? I was looking for a single snd thought it waa discontinued.

Shefwedfan · 13-05-2020 10:09am

Gerry T wrote: »

I did yes, great price, hope it delivers !

They have also a reduced price on the 3pack with 1base and 2 satellites, but I went for the pack with 3 bases.

I ended up a load of stuff from that site so only got dispatched last night after I cancelled my order twice :-) wont get till next week now:mad:

ratracer · 13-05-2020 10:27am

After reading these threads I’m still as confused as ever about what to get!
Any help greatly received, TIA!

My house and garage aren’t wired for Cat 5 or 6, so Ethernet is not an option. I currently have Eir F2000 modem ( 150 Mb/S). I was using TP link AV600 power line adaptor to get signal to the garage, as my old laptop had an Ethernet port. This worked fine. New laptop doesn’t, so I bought a TP Link AV600 Wi-Fi which is a) unreliable for signal and b) very slow when it does stay connected. ( ~ 8 mb/S).

Am I right in thinking that if I get a mesh system, and power the nodes with TP-link power lines, also connecting the nodes and power lines with Ethernet cable, then turn off the Wi-Fi mode in eir router would get me the optimum range/ speed available to me?

I’m confused even just reading this back!!!

Btw: house is dormer, with block walls and concrete floors, 2,400 sq ft, modem at front door in centre of house, garage out back 50m from modem.

Shefwedfan · 13-05-2020 10:33am

ratracer wrote: »

After reading these threads I’m still as confused as ever about what to get!
Any help greatly received, TIA!

My house and garage aren’t wired for Cat 5 or 6, so Ethernet is not an option. I currently have Eir F2000 modem ( 150 Mb/S). I was using TP link AV600 power line adaptor to get signal to the garage, as my old laptop had an Ethernet port. This worked fine. New laptop doesn’t, so I bought a TP Link AV600 Wi-Fi which is a) unreliable for signal and b) very slow when it does stay connected. ( ~ 8 mb/S).

Am I right in thinking that if I get a mesh system, and power the nodes with TP-link power lines, also connecting the nodes and power lines with Ethernet cable, then turn off the Wi-Fi mode in eir router would get me the optimum range/ speed available to me?

I’m confused even just reading this back!!!

Btw: house is dormer, with block walls and concrete floors, 2,400 sq ft, modem at front door in centre of house, garage out back 50m from modem.

Buy the Huawei Q2

https://www.box.co.uk/Huawei-WiFi-Q2-Pro-Wi-Fi-System-(3-Pack)_2784181.html

You wont get better value and it will work in garage via the electic cables which I guess you are using the current TP-Link

Clareman · 13-05-2020 10:37am

ratracer wrote: »

After reading these threads I’m still as confused as ever about what to get!
Any help greatly received, TIA!

My house and garage aren’t wired for Cat 5 or 6, so Ethernet is not an option. I currently have Eir F2000 modem ( 150 Mb/S). I was using TP link AV600 power line adaptor to get signal to the garage, as my old laptop had an Ethernet port. This worked fine. New laptop doesn’t, so I bought a TP Link AV600 Wi-Fi which is a) unreliable for signal and b) very slow when it does stay connected. ( ~ 8 mb/S).

Am I right in thinking that if I get a mesh system, and power the nodes with TP-link power lines, also connecting the nodes and power lines with Ethernet cable, then turn off the Wi-Fi mode in eir router would get me the optimum range/ speed available to me?

I’m confused even just reading this back!!!

Btw: house is dormer, with block walls and concrete floors, 2,400 sq ft, modem at front door in centre of house, garage out back 50m from modem.

Why not just get a USB to Ethernet adapter for the new laptop and leave it in the shed, when you want to use it just plug it in?

Alternatively, you could get a cheap wifi router, plug it into the ethernet cable and have a new WiFi network it the shed that you can turn on and off as you want.

ratracer · 13-05-2020 11:03am

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Buy the Huawei Q2

https://www.box.co.uk/Huawei-WiFi-Q2-Pro-Wi-Fi-System-(3-Pack)_2784181.html

You wont get better value and it will work in garage via the electic cables which I guess you are using the current TP-Link

Does that only work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi though? Some of my devices still need 2.4 GHz.

ratracer · 13-05-2020 11:04am

Clareman wrote: »

Why not just get a USB to Ethernet adapter for the new laptop and leave it in the shed, when you want to use it just plug it in?

Alternatively, you could get a cheap wifi router, plug it into the ethernet cable and have a new WiFi network it the shed that you can turn on and off as you want.

This was my initial plan, but now with kids doing a lot of school work in their rooms, I’ve realised there are a few dead spots around the house which I also want to try address now while I’m at it.

Shefwedfan · 13-05-2020 1:34pm

ratracer wrote: »

Does that only work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi though? Some of my devices still need 2.4 GHz.

No, it has a 2.4ghz channel as well, I checked that as I have similar

Clareman · 13-05-2020 1:37pm

ratracer wrote: »

Does that only work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi though? Some of my devices still need 2.4 GHz.

https://consumer.huawei.com/en/routers/q2-pro-3pack/specs/

Looks to have 802.11n so you should be ok

Clareman · 13-05-2020 1:41pm

ratracer wrote: »

This was my initial plan, but now with kids doing a lot of school work in their rooms, I’ve realised there are a few dead spots around the house which I also want to try address now while I’m at it.

Probably the best time to do it so

In fairness Huawei seem to be the best networking solution around, they get some bad press for being Chinese but I'm sure Google gets bad press in China for being American (or Irish

)

I don't know how scientific this is but when I try to figure out if a mesh/extender will solve a deadspot I'll move the router to where the point will be and then check if I have wifi coverage, there won't be network coverage but you should be able to have local network access so you might be able to access a NAS or something.

skodacb · 13-05-2020 1:52pm

sweetie wrote: »

Wheres did you get it? I was looking for a single snd thought it waa discontinued.

You can buy a single one(router) on the Google store for €159, that's what I did and it's worked out very well so far. I may get the WiFi point as well in the near future as WiFi is still weak in one part of the house.

ratracer · 13-05-2020 2:49pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

No, it has a 2.4ghz channel as well, I checked that as I have similar

Good enough for me, will give it a go and see how I get on. Has yours shipped yet?

Gerry T · 13-05-2020 3:47pm

ratracer wrote: »

Good enough for me, will give it a go and see how I get on. Has yours shipped yet?

I ordered mine on Sunday and it shipped yesterday. I got 2*Q2-Pro, might be overkill but the way my house is I think I would have needed at least 4 or 5, plus having all base units it allows me to plug in devices at all locations.

Shefwedfan · 13-05-2020 4:07pm

ratracer wrote: »

Good enough for me, will give it a go and see how I get on. Has yours shipped yet?

I can't remember where I found it, need to confirm back myself

I ordered my finally on Tuesday morning and it shipped last night.....

Shefwedfan · 13-05-2020 10:09pm

https://consumer.huawei.com/sa-en/support/content/en-us00755747/

Confirmation here

ratracer · 13-05-2020 10:29pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

https://consumer.huawei.com/sa-en/support/content/en-us00755747/

Confirmation here

Thanks for that Shefwedfan.
I just got confirmation that my order is ready to ship. This will be a real bargain if it works out.

I may ( will definitely

) have more questions when I get to setting this up!

Really appreciate all the invaluable advice received here, shows just how valuable a resource boards.ie is!

DFS UTD · 14-05-2020 10:59am

Shefwedfan wrote: »

No, it has a 2.4ghz channel as well, I checked that as I have similar

Hi Shefwedfan - would love to see how you get on with the Huawei mesh set up - seeing as you’ve tried other mesh systems.

Quick question - the box offer is for 3 base units - am I right in saying they just plug into the wall like a tp link power line adaptor? The other option is 1 base unit and 2 satellites / I guess the satellites don’t have the power line feature as they are stand alone?

I currently have 5 tp link adaptors on Eir broadband. WiFi isn’t great but sons PS4 is plugged into one of the tp links via Ethernet. It works pretty ok (I think) with sometimes some lag.

A few months ago I tried to switch to faster virgin media broadband / the WiFi was somewhat better but there was barely any speed on the tp link Ethernet link to PS4 / I had their ninga red installers and they couldn’t understand why.

I’m thinking that the Huawei mesh (3 base units) might be better option and might work better for sons PS4.

So would really like to know how you get on!!

Shefwedfan · 14-05-2020 11:38am

DFS UTD wrote: »

Hi Shefwedfan - would love to see how you get on with the Huawei mesh set up - seeing as you’ve tried other mesh systems.

Quick question - the box offer is for 3 base units - am I right in saying they just plug into the wall like a tp link power line adaptor? The other option is 1 base unit and 2 satellites / I guess the satellites don’t have the power line feature as they are stand alone?

I currently have 5 tp link adaptors on Eir broadband. WiFi isn’t great but sons PS4 is plugged into one of the tp links via Ethernet. It works pretty ok (I think) with sometimes some lag.

A few months ago I tried to switch to faster virgin media broadband / the WiFi was somewhat better but there was barely any speed on the tp link Ethernet link to PS4 / I had their ninga red installers and they couldn’t understand why.

I’m thinking that the Huawei mesh (3 base units) might be better option and might work better for sons PS4.

So would really like to know how you get on!!

I will do but DPP not the fastest shipment company ever and I doubt that price will last for long!! I hope to maybe get mine Monday and will update

I have tested a number of these system so far so know what is good/bad

The Bishop Basher · 14-05-2020 6:32pm

Got the TP Link P9 delivered but I didn’t unbox it in the end because the units are way too big and bulky for what I need.

Ordered google nest instead. 2 day delivery. 5 minute setup, small units, google assist included and it’s made a huge difference to speeds.

My bed is the furthest point away from the router. I was getting low 20’s on a good day and I’m now consistently getting 150 plus.

Excellent bit of kit..

towger · 14-05-2020 6:36pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

Got the TP Link P9 delivered but I didn’t unbox it in the end because the units are way too big and bulky for what I need.

Ordered google nest instead. 2 day delivery. 5 minute setup, small units, google assist included and it’s made a huge difference to speeds.

My bed is the furthest point away from the router. I was getting low 20’s on a good day and I’m now consistently getting 150 plus.

Excellent bit of kit..

Hi, where did you get the Nest in two days ?
Tx.

The Bishop Basher · 14-05-2020 7:32pm

From the google store..

It ships from the Uk overnight and out for delivery with DHL next day.

Clareman · 14-05-2020 8:20pm

towger wrote: »

Hi, where did you get the Nest in two days ?
Tx.

Googles store is amazingly quick in fairness, easiest 1 of the quickest online stores I've ever used.

Shefwedfan · 14-05-2020 8:22pm

Clareman wrote: »

Googles store is amazingly quick in fairness, easiest 1 of the quickest online stores I've ever used.

I would be quick as well if I was making the margin they are in the mesh system:-)

The Bishop Basher · 14-05-2020 8:51pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I would be quick as well if I was making the margin they are in the mesh system:-)

Agreed. It’s definitely over priced in comparison to other offerings of that spec but the units are small and stylish and the system just works. It does exactly what it says on the tin with zero fuss or hassle. I’m happy to pay a premium for that.

maxamillius · 14-05-2020 10:17pm

If I was to get google WiFi and put one of the units in a garden shed, would that provide coverage to the garden?

Ray Donovan · 14-05-2020 11:37pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

Got the TP Link P9 delivered but I didn’t unbox it in the end because the units are way too big and bulky for what I need.

Ordered google nest instead. 2 day delivery. 5 minute setup, small units, google assist included and it’s made a huge difference to speeds.

My bed is the furthest point away from the router. I was getting low 20’s on a good day and I’m now consistently getting 150 plus.

Excellent bit of kit..

Would you mind describing your house? Size, rooms, concrete walls/ceiling etc...?

SchrodingersCat · 14-05-2020 11:40pm

I installed three Fritz box routers in a mesh for about 100 quid total. Mesh works great. Only one of the routers is 5ghz enabled, but for the price, UI and our slow main Internet connection I'm not complaining.

kala85 · 15-05-2020 1:33am

SchrodingersCat wrote: »

I installed three Fritz box routers in a mesh for about 100 quid total. Mesh works great. Only one of the routers is 5ghz enabled, but for the price, UI and our slow main Internet connection I'm not complaining.

Any links to what you bought

SchrodingersCat · 15-05-2020 6:19am

Yep,
One fritz 4020
https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/fritzbox-4020/
One fritz 7430
https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/fritzbox-7430/

And for the master in the mesh, a fritz 4040

https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/fritzbox-4040/

kala85 · 15-05-2020 6:35am

SchrodingersCat wrote: »

Yep,
One fritz 4020
https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/fritzbox-4020/
One fritz 7430
https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/fritzbox-7430/

And for the master in the mesh, a fritz 4040

https://en.avm.de/products/fritzbox/fritzbox-4040/

Where did you buy them. Was there much configuration involved in them

The Bishop Basher · 15-05-2020 9:47am

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Would you mind describing your house? Size, rooms, concrete walls/ceiling etc...?

I’m not sure of the size but it’s a standard block built dormer bungalow with three bedrooms upstairs and generally open plan downstairs. Some of the internal walls are concrete which creates dead spots particularly in my bedroom which is the opposite side of the house from the router. It’s also where my office is so I really wanted to improve that connection speed and the nest has taken care of that perfectly.

We have FTTH and the wifi was already pretty good so this is just to boost it enough to get rid of the dead spots. I didn’t expect such a dramatic improvement in speeds though.

Sheep Shagger · 15-05-2020 10:03pm

Clareman wrote: »

Googles store is amazingly quick in fairness, easiest 1 of the quickest online stores I've ever used.

Ordered a 3rd device on Monday - not here yet,odd, as you say they are normally very fast.

Ray Donovan · 15-05-2020 10:10pm

I have FTTH being installed on Thursday. My house is all concrete, two storey roughly 2700 sq ft. Thankfully when buliding I ran ethernet cables through the walls so I have 3 connection points downstairs and one upstairs ready to go.

So I have decided on the TP Link Deco M5 3 pack and I am going to use the ethernet backhaul. Fingers crossed it's all pretty straightforward because I don't have a clue about these things!!

maxamillius · 15-05-2020 10:36pm

If I was to get google WiFi and put one of the units in a garden shed, would that provide coverage to the garden?

Shefwedfan · 15-05-2020 10:44pm

maxamillius wrote: »

If I was to get google WiFi and put one of the units in a garden shed, would that provide coverage to the garden?

Do you have power running to the shed from the house?

Coverage on a standard mesh will depend on distance etc

Shefwedfan · 16-05-2020 1:25pm

My Huawei Q2's have arrived, All 6 of them. Wife going nuts :-)

Now time to set up and test

DFS UTD · 16-05-2020 2:09pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

My Huawei Q2's have arrived, All 6 of them. Wife going nuts :-)

Now time to set up and test

Good luck!! Let us know how you get on ...

Gerry T · 16-05-2020 2:43pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

My Huawei Q2's have arrived, All 6 of them. Wife going nuts :-)

Now time to set up and test

I'm guessing the same reaction when mine arrive :pac: not the smallest of units. She prob doesn't appreciate the technical ability of this kit !

degsie · 16-05-2020 3:15pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

My Huawei Q2's have arrived, All 6 of them. Wife going nuts :-)

Now time to set up and test

Wife + solid wifi = \o/

GinSoaked · 16-05-2020 3:18pm

degsie wrote: »

Wife + solid wifi = \o/

But its down the pub asap if the Wifi fails.

Shefwedfan · 16-05-2020 3:59pm

degsie wrote: »

Wife + solid wifi = \o/

A huge box arrived :-) I maybe bought a few other things :-) plus its about the 5th mesh system I have bought....

all going good so far, report back later. 5 of the 6 units connected

Shefwedfan · 16-05-2020 4:15pm

OK 5 out of 6. I don't need the 6th one but because of the price it was cheaper to buy the set with all 6.

Setup: this was so easy. So plugged main unit into router, connected to its wifi. Open up app and set my wifi network name and password. It auto started to pick up all my devices. Other two units in that box just plugged in, walked away and a few mins later they turned blue.

Second box, now I started messing and I should have done nothing, on the 4th one it wouldn't pick up so I had to pull out the manual. It was flashing red. It has a H button button at front so pressed this, it flickered blue and then 30 secs later it was solid blue which means it connected. Now in the app I had kicked off adding a device so not sure which one worked :-)

5th device, just plugged it in and bang after a few mins it had picked it up.

Messed around with app. Told me to reposition etc. Some nice features. Like a large wheel with each device, spin it to a device and it will show everything connected to it. All my 2.4 and 5Ghz devices connected no problem.

THe devices are chunky but not as tall as the linksys. So far everything working ok, wife going mad so need to do some jobs

Wifi mesh systems

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