Mesh Wi-fi - Sanity Check

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Discussion

SWoll

Original Poster:

19,167 posts

265 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
Hello All,

Moving to a new house in a months time that is out in rural Yorkshire. No decent line based broadband available, and as the 3 of us all WFH to varying degrees reliable access is important. Planning to install Starlink + 5G Broadband as a backup and now looking into a Mesh setup as the house is quite large.

So many different options available and been down the rabbit hole on this, but currently drawn to TPLink Deco kit. Based on the fact that download speeds are unlikely to be blistering from Starlink or 5G I assume I'd be better off buying something like the S7 3-Pack https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/de... and potentially adding a couple more nodes if needed to boost coverage, rather than any of the more expensive options as won't be able to make use of the additional speed they offer anyway?

Am I missing anything?




rustyuk

4,678 posts

218 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
I found the cheaper variants to not be as reliable and ended up buying twice.

Currently have the Deco XE75 and happy with the performance, but the range isn't as good as expected. I do notice a speed difference if I don't connect using WiFi 6.

Not sure the WiFi 7 enabled devices are worth the premium as some of my older kit doesn't support v6 never mind v7.

One last point, you will almost certainly need more nodes than you expect.



NDA

22,326 posts

232 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
It should work fine.... I've recently moved from a BT Whole Home system to a Deco one, it's been very solid. 3 units cover my reasonably sized house without any issues. They'll work with Starlink.

goingonholiday

284 posts

188 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
We're also in rural Yorkshire, there are some line of sight providers that may civer your area. Cheaper than starlink and very reliable and stable. Might be worth a look, no 4g here let alone 5g!

We have a long thin house and I bought a Tenda mesh a few years ago. Very stable and reliable.

NDA

22,326 posts

232 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
If you have a whiff of 4G, a 4G router (maybe with an aerial) would be a cheaper and potentially faster option than Starlink.

I lived for about a year with a 4G router, two bars of signal and 35Mbps. It worked very well.

geeks

9,733 posts

146 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
We have Starlink and 4G, the Starlink is more reliable and has a better ping that the 4G but has slightly less bandwidth, 200vs150 so its not a big deal, in terms of mesh its much of a muchness between the two, I dont use router mode on the mesh incase I need to swap them over so its "ap" mode for me

595Heaven

2,597 posts

85 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
We moved from BT Whole Home WiFI discs to Linksys Velop mesh when we changed broadband supplier to Gigaclear FTTP.

Got two nodes in the deal and was able to buy additional brand new ones for c. £40-50 on eBay (both branded with other fibre provider’s logos).

We’ve got 5 nodes in total (our house seems like a very effective Faraday Cage!) - four in the house and one in the garden room and it all works perfectly. The main node is connected to the fibre box in my study and has a power line connection to the one on the lounge. This one is hard wired to the garden room node and the other two are purely using wifi. The Powerline limits the max speed down from 500Mbps to c. 200MBps but this is plenty, and the monthly price is far lower than our previous FTTC setup. Would be nice to run Ethernet from study to lounge but will have to wit until we decorate.

Each node has four Gigabit ports which are useful.

camel_landy

5,085 posts

190 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
SWoll said:
Am I missing anything?
Looking at the spec of that TPLink system, it looks as though the nodes communicate with each other via the same 'radios' as your client devices, unless you use a hard-wired ethernet connection between each node. Sharing the same 'radios' as the clients, means it will slow down the client communications as they're having to share the same bandwidth as the network management.

Unless you want to connect each of the satellite nodes via ethernet, I'd suggest you look into a different mesh solution, which uses a separate 'radio' link for the backhaul between the mesh nodes.

HTH

M

geeks

9,733 posts

146 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
camel_landy said:
SWoll said:
Am I missing anything?
Looking at the spec of that TPLink system, it looks as though the nodes communicate with each other via the same 'radios' as your client devices, unless you use a hard-wired ethernet connection between each node. Sharing the same 'radios' as the clients, means it will slow down the client communications as they're having to share the same bandwidth as the network management.

Unless you want to connect each of the satellite nodes via ethernet, I'd suggest you look into a different mesh solution, which uses a separate 'radio' link for the backhaul between the mesh nodes.

HTH

M
Actually thats not quite correct, while they do have wireless backhaul they use a separate channel and transmit for internal coms vs device coms, wired back haul is advisable where you can though.

For example ny network has some 150+ devices plus I run my lightshow through it at Christmas which is VERY transmit heavy (4000+ LED nodes on controllers at 40fps) and my speeds are just fine.

camel_landy

5,085 posts

190 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
geeks said:
Actually thats not quite correct, while they do have wireless backhaul they use a separate channel and transmit for internal coms vs device coms, wired back haul is advisable where you can though.

For example ny network has some 150+ devices plus I run my lightshow through it at Christmas which is VERY transmit heavy (4000+ LED nodes on controllers at 40fps) and my speeds are just fine.
Happy to stand corrected but I had a good rummage through the specs and couldn't find anything about a separate backhaul.

M

RizzoTheRat

25,998 posts

199 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
As a current Deco P9 and M4 users, if I was buying new now personally I'd go for the X series for the Wifi 6 and better future proofing.

If you can get wires around the house they'll work way better than relying on wireless backhaul. I used the old phone cables that I no longer needed in the house to pull pairs of Cat5e cables through from the utility cupboard to the lounge, front room and main bedroom, and have 3 Decos on a wired connection with a 4th in the kitchen relying on wireless & powerline, it's noticeably slower than the others.

.:ian:.

2,339 posts

210 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
camel_landy said:
geeks said:
Actually thats not quite correct, while they do have wireless backhaul they use a separate channel and transmit for internal coms vs device coms, wired back haul is advisable where you can though.

For example ny network has some 150+ devices plus I run my lightshow through it at Christmas which is VERY transmit heavy (4000+ LED nodes on controllers at 40fps) and my speeds are just fine.
Happy to stand corrected but I had a good rummage through the specs and couldn't find anything about a separate backhaul.

M
Yeah, I`m not sure the S7 has separate radio for backhaul, its listed as Dual-band.

Linksys and Netgear list theirs as dual-band/tri-band/quad-band and generally dual-band has 2.4 and 5ghz with the backhaul sharing one of those.
Tri-band has 2.4 and 5ghz and a dedicated wireless backhaul.
Quad-band has 2.4, 5 and 6ghz and a dedicated wireless backhaul.

To confuse things, the Deco X76 is listed as Tri-band, but has 2.4, 5, 6ghz and a separate 5ghz backhaul.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/de...

Other Tp-link Tri-bands dont mention this feature, so I guess if it doesnt mention it, it doesnt have it.

SWoll

Original Poster:

19,167 posts

265 months

Friday 11th October
quotequote all
Thanks for the exhaustive info all, much appreciated and very educational. smile

So tri band appears to be a must, but how about wifi 6? From what I'm reading it has benefits in busy areas with multiple wi-fi networks and can deliver higher absolute speeds if a lot of devices are connected and working at once but I'm thinking for a house out in the sticks with no neighbours within 1/2 a mile and a household of 3 people and < 10 devices accessing across 3+ nodes it might not be an issue, especially at this price?

Tenda Nova MW12

5 nodes for <£200 looks a bargain, and they appear well reviewed?




gangzoom

6,771 posts

222 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
SWoll said:
5 nodes for <£200 looks a bargain, and they appear well reviewed?
I've got 2 MW12s and 3 MW3s for the WiFi in our house. 3 of the nodes are backhauled with Cat6 ethernet but boardband speed tops out at 70mbps no I didn't feel the need to splash out on WiFi6 when we moved in. The reach of the units means the cars in the driveway get a good connection and also the Echo speaker in the garden shed about 20 meters down then garden.

The MW12 units have 3 ethernet ports so even if you use one for backhaul, leaves 2 spare for local devices which is great for streaming media units or the office. I'm considering getting a few more but also still tempted by an upgrade to WiFi6 even though we don't need it.



Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 12th October 06:29

SWoll

Original Poster:

19,167 posts

265 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
gangzoom said:
I've got 2 MW12s and 3 MW3s for the WiFi in our house. 3 of the nodes are backhauled with Cat6 ethernet but boardband speed tops out at 70mbps no I didn't feel the need to splash out on WiFi6 when we moved in. The reach of the units means the cars in the driveway get a good connection and also the Echo speaker in the garden shed about 20 meters down then garden.

The MW12 units have 3 ethernet ports so even if you use one for backhaul, leaves 2 spare for local devices which is great for streaming media units or the office. I'm considering getting a few more but also still tempted by an upgrade to WiFi6 even though we don't need it.

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 12th October 06:29
This is my thinking. The MW12 has a dedicated 5ghz backhaul and I could install 6+ nodes around the property for less than a mid price 3 node wifi 6 dual band setup.

Unlikely to see better than 150-200mbps coming into the property via Starlink or 5G so would appear to be more than capable of handling that?


Captain_Morgan

1,253 posts

66 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Have you considered how you’ll connect both the starlink and 4/5G modem to the mesh system?

Most basic to mid level devices don’t have an ability to host a second wan connection.

And I’d assume you want some kind of failover in place rather that connecting up the 4/5G device when there’s a issue and time is likely against you with 3 folk working from home.

SWoll

Original Poster:

19,167 posts

265 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Captain_Morgan said:
Have you considered how you’ll connect both the starlink and 4/5G modem to the mesh system?

Most basic to mid level devices don’t have an ability to host a second wan connection.

And I’d assume you want some kind of failover in place rather that connecting up the 4/5G device when there’s a issue and time is likely against you with 3 folk working from home.
Assuming both systems are online I'd expect a manual switchover in the event of a failure to be pretty quick as just case of swapping an ethernet cable to the primary mesh node? Of course if there is a system capable of handling 2 inputs and intelligently sharing the load and/or hot swapping in the event of a failure that would be more elegant, but I would assume a lot more expensive?

Captain_Morgan

1,253 posts

66 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
As ever it depends on how the systems are used, if the starlink & 4/5G platforms are used in modem mode then it’s a connection change & possibly a reboot of the master node.

If you need to run one of the devices as a router it could be more complicated.

The other issue is it’s not used until you have a failure which is not when you want to find issues with the config.

Yep id expect they will be more expensive.

One option is to consider the lower end unifi or tp-link Omada systems however the wireless access points are connected via cable which might be a issue.


ChatGPT says

If you’re looking for a mesh router system with dual WAN support (either for load balancing or failover), there are a few options available. Here are some of the best choices:

1. TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro

• WAN Support: Dual WAN (via LAN port configuration)
• Features:
• Supports load balancing or failover with multiple internet connections.
• Wi-Fi 6E support for faster speeds and better coverage.
• Mesh network ensures seamless coverage across larger spaces.
• App-based controls, including QoS, parental controls, and network security.

2. Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien

• WAN Support: Dual WAN (primary and secondary for failover)
• Features:
• Wi-Fi 6 technology.
• Dedicated mesh router with high-performance throughput.
• Ability to configure dual WAN for redundancy.
• Elegant design with touchscreen display for network monitoring.
• Advanced network features through the app interface, including parental controls.

3. Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)

• WAN Support: Supports dual WAN with load balancing or failover.
• Features:
• Wi-Fi 6 mesh system for whole-home coverage.
• Dual-band or tri-band options with a dedicated 6GHz backhaul.
• Supports dual WAN using one of the LAN ports.
• Features AiProtection Pro, parental controls, and VPN support.

4. Netgear Orbi RBK853

• WAN Support: Dual WAN (failover/load balancing)
• Features:
• Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with exceptional coverage.
• Multi-gig WAN port.
• Dual WAN capability for redundancy.
• Strong network security options with Netgear Armor.
• High throughput for gaming, streaming, and smart home devices.

5. Synology RT2600ac + MR2200ac Mesh System

• WAN Support: Dual WAN (load balancing and failover)
• Features:
• Synology SRM operating system with powerful customization options.
• Excellent dual WAN management and load balancing capabilities.
• Advanced VPN, firewall, and security features.
• Can create a mesh system by pairing the RT2600ac router with Synology’s MR2200ac nodes.

6. Asus RT-AX92U

• WAN Support: Supports dual WAN (load balancing and failover)
• Features:
• Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router.
• Supports wired or wireless backhaul for mesh nodes.
• Flexible WAN configuration with load balancing or failover.
• AiMesh compatibility for a custom mesh system.
• Robust parental controls and AiProtection security.

Considerations When Choosing:

• WAN Type: Ensure the router supports dual WAN configurations either through multiple dedicated WAN ports or by repurposing LAN ports.
• Features: Some routers are more focused on advanced features like VPN, parental controls, and advanced security, while others prioritize user-friendly interfaces.
• Expandability: Look for systems that allow you to add additional nodes for extended coverage if needed.

These options should suit most needs for homes or small offices that require a dual WAN setup for internet redundancy or improved bandwidth handling.

gangzoom

6,771 posts

222 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
SWoll said:
This is my thinking. The MW12 has a dedicated 5ghz backhaul and I could install 6+ nodes around the property for less than a mid price 3 node wifi 6 dual band setup.

Unlikely to see better than 150-200mbps coming into the property via Starlink or 5G so would appear to be more than capable of handling that?
I suspect your Boardband bandwidth may be more of an issue than the MW12 units. Before we did the house renovation I used the MW3s with no ethernet backhaul, and performance was fine. Usage included running both Google Chrome cast for Stadia and than Sheild for GeForce now using the ethernet ports from the MW3 but the MW3 was only connected via WiFi.

The Tendai apps let's you setup the primary node in all sort of functions, but I just use it in bridge mode. For the fairly minimal cost I'm pretty happy with the way things work.

SWoll

Original Poster:

19,167 posts

265 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Captain_Morgan said:
  • Brilliant stuff*
Much appreciated, that's really useful information.

What a rabbit hole this is, had seen the Deco XE75 Pro and Asus XT8/9 whilst searching on Amazon so will have another look as if they offer Wifi 6, tri Band and dual Wan load balancing/failover that ticks all of the boxes. Bit of a price jump to £450-500 for a 3 node setup but sounds like it will be well worth the investment.

gangzoom said:
I suspect your Boardband bandwidth may be more of an issue than the MW12 units. Before we did the house renovation I used the MW3s with no ethernet backhaul, and performance was fine. Usage included running both Google Chrome cast for Stadia and than Sheild for GeForce now using the ethernet ports from the MW3 but the MW3 was only connected via WiFi.

The Tendai apps let's you setup the primary node in all sort of functions, but I just use it in bridge mode. For the fairly minimal cost I'm pretty happy with the way things work.
This is where I've been torn as know something like the above will be overkill from a bandwidth perspective, but the dual WAN failover/load balancing and better signal strength + backhaul feel like they will be worth the additional cost.