if you can set them to the same SSID as your main network I suppose they’ll act as access points?
Not properly as there is no handoff between them. It's a bit of a bodge.
Not properly as there is no handoff between them. It’s a bit of a bodge.
What hand off are you expecting them to have?
Generally wifi roaming is heavily client controlled.
If a accesspoint has the same ssid/pw combination devices can move from ap to ap as signal strength changes, but it’s the client that generally manage this.
There is some management in newer wifi6 platforms which allow accesspoints to set minimum signal strength thresholds that doesn’t force a client to use another node it simply prevents it hanging onto a node with poor signal strength.
Would this work?
NETGEAR Wireless Access Point (WAX204) - WiFi 6 Dual-Band AX1800 Speed | 4 x 1G Ethernet Ports | 802.11ax | WPA3 Security | Create up to 3 Separate Wireless Networks Linky
Claims to support up to 64 client devices. I assume this means anything that's connected to the WiFi? I'm running at about 40 I think. I don't think I need to go full mesh. My biggest bugbears are the TV streaming using Chromecast (next room though stud wall) and my office connection on Teams (directly above).
Or.... Do I wait for Black Friday and get a Google Nest WiFi so I could add to it in the future if ever required?
Captmorgan hits the nail on the head about handoff (well, roaming in reality.
Ive got a unifi setup hanging off the back of VM. Its vastly better but probably overkill.
For a more appropriate consumer setup, the amplifi units are pretty good, as are the tplink mesh networking. Its worth remembering that wired backhaul is always a better solution than mesh, its just mesh is SO convenient.
Its worth remembering that wired backhaul is always a better solution than mesh, its just mesh is SO convenient.
This thread has reminded me that the previous occupants of this house have actually wired ethernet in exactly the right places for me to do a wired backhaul between my TP Link Deco units, would just need to do a bit of rearranging with the Hue box/get some sort of switch. This may escalate.
Dream Router was installed yesterday. Some observations:
Wifi6 is good and we need a hardwired access point in one bedroom to provide patio browsing and cover the coffee machine smart plug (espresso machine is good to go when I get up, no hanging around).
The set-up was slightly marred by Zen doing things slowly (there have been an national fault that cleared whilst connection was ongoing).
Can recommend Draytech modems for BT supplied FTTC, zero config just daisy chain it and the Router and log in via console settings only.
Some of the fine tuning settings on the console are a little hidden. To change DNS server one needs to click on the WAN entry to reveal all.
The router was reasonably cheap too at £250-ish and domestic management aren't unhappy to have it in the hallway on a console table.
Today is fire up the NAS and the associated pi-hole (some DNS fiddling required)
they seem to change the layout of the menus etc fairly often, minor annoyance as it sometimes makes it impossible to follow an online guide that’s more than a few months old 😂Some of the fine tuning settings on the console are a little hidden. To change DNS server one needs to click on the WAN entry to reveal all.
This may escalate.
Nah, I just got three, 4 port switches (living room/office/buy two get one free!) and an 8 port for the cubby (NAS/printers).
Took longer to sort out new patch cables than to get the switches in and working.
they seem to change the layout of the menus etc fairly often,
They do that. The year old tutorial has one way of setting a fixed route but the pi-hole needs a second fixed route for a different IP which is causing some head scratching.
One final observation when hard-wiring between devices, don't use a cheap crimping tool! 6 plugs were wasted as the pins were not making contact with the conductors. (The Screwfix cat6 cable is twisted solid copper not aluminium with a plated outer).
Reason #976 why I keep telling people to stick with CAT5e.
yeah, I splashed out on this (indulging my nice tool fetish 😂) as it does the pass-thru connectors (which makes life SO much easier) but makes a proper job of it, unlike the cheaper ones.don’t use a cheap crimping tool!
why I keep telling people to stick with CAT5e.
The option of cat5e wasn't available in shorter reel lengths when I wanted to buy, 305m would have been too much and very expensive.
Ok. Update for those interested. I managed to get a Google Nest WiFi and point for £63 from Argos (crazy BF price, cheaper than just the Router direct from Google), so I now also have a basic mesh system. Setting the Router to modem mode was pretty easy - but finding the correct port to plug the ethernet cable in was pot luck (can see how this has caught people out, thanks for the heads up on Cougar). The system was pretty easy to set up though as I'm used to Google Home. I ended up using the same SSID and password so all my devices connected automatically (thanks again for the advice on here)
The difference is massive. Teams just works perfectly. All devices are connected.
I Chromecast in UHD earlier and it worked flawlessly (it was hit and miss before and would buffer all the time despite 100+ meg).
I should have upgraded ages ago. So for anyone else that is struggling, ditch the standard Router, you won't regret it👍
