An idiots guide to mesh wifi

[RedWhiteMonkey]

We currently use the router that came from our internet provider and have a couple of wifi deadspots around the house.

I think the best way to overcome this is by upgrading to a mesh wifi system, but that is where my knowledge ends. Don't mind spending a little bit but not looking to spend megabucks.

Can someone explain in simple terms what that involves.
- Do I need to replace the existing router or add something to it?
- Our internet speed is around 220mbps, what band do I need?
- Any recommendations on systems?
- Is Amazon's Eero system any good?

[MonkeyBusiness]

You will get 2 or 3 devices that need to be dotted around the house but close enough to 'talk' to each other.

One connects to your existing router, then the others simply need power.
They all come with an app so you can control and set them up. Its really easy and alot are now automated.

I have the TP-Link Deco M5

Mesh is great.

[cobra kid]

MonkeyBusiness said:

You will get 2 or 3 devices that need to be dotted around the house but close enough to 'talk' to each other.

One connects to your existing router, then the others simply need power.
They all come with an app so you can control and set them up. Its really easy and alot are now automated.

I have the TP-Link Deco M5

Mesh is great.

I'll second this. We got a set of Deco P9 and they have transformed the house set up.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Thanks, I was mostly unsure if I had to replace the router and configure stuff. Plugging into the existing router sounds much less complicated and reassures me more.

[Mr E]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Can someone explain in simple terms what that involves.
- Do I need to replace the existing router or add something to it?
- Our internet speed is around 220mbps, what band do I need?
- Any recommendations on systems?
- Is Amazon's Eero system any good?

- it depends
- 802.11ac will be fine I suspect. WiFi6 will be overkill but is probably entry level these days.
- I run a pair of Orbi’s (rbr50) and rate the system as pretty bombproof
- probably good. Specs look great. I think the entry level is only dual band which might dent performance but as it’s WiFi 6 I suspect there’s more than enough that you won’t notice.

[cobra kid]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Thanks, I was mostly unsure if I had to replace the router and configure stuff. Plugging into the existing router sounds much less complicated and reassures me more.

We bought a three pack of P9s but the only downside is that you lose the use of the original router as you effectively switch it off to feed the first P9 unit. We then put the second one in the living room and one upstairs.

You'll have to figure out to log into the router to switch it's function.

[John87]

I recently set up Deco XE75 system and it was near plug and play. At the moment I am connected from the ADSL socket to my ISPs router then with a further cable from the router to the Deco. Everything else was easy to set up in the app.

I believe if you have full fibre you can go directly from the wall to the mesh system as it doesn't need to decode the signal but I haven't tried this as fibre isn't coming to my area for another few months

[RizzoTheRat]

cobra kid said:

We bought a three pack of P9s but the only downside is that you lose the use of the original router as you effectively switch it off to feed the first P9 unit. We then put the second one in the living room and one upstairs.

You'll have to figure out to log into the router to switch it's function.

Alternatively you can leave the router alone and set the Deco's to Wireless Access Point mode rather than Router mode (a toggle switch in the phone app. You lose access to a few of the Deco's functions like though, eg its firewall.

[Captain_Morgan]

What isp do you have?

I assume it’s fttp as 220Mb/s

It’s just as complicated to set up the mesh systems as access points to avoid having dual nat which can be a issues with VPN’s games,etc. You also need to stop using the inbuilt wifi if keeping the existing router.

Setting up the new device as router / access points is relatively easy and allows for a easy swap back if there are issues in setting it up, you can also set up the wifi ssid on the new device to be the same user name / pw as the old device meaning you don’t need to change aall your wifi devices

I’d avoid eero / Amazon, consider tp-link, asus, netgear or linksys

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Captain_Morgan said:

What isp do you have?

I’d avoid eero / Amazon, consider tp-link, asus, netgear or linksys

I'm in Germany, its Vodafone. We have the option to go fibre optic but the price puts me off.

What's the issue with Eero? The Eero 6+ is on offer on Amazon.de right now and the specs appear better than similarly priced tp-link, netgear, etc. stuff.

[Greenmantle]

Sorry to hijack thread.
Can you backhaul connect each mesh node using an ethernet cable.
I'm lucky enough to have cat6.

[DoubleSix]

Yes, and you should.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Greenmantle said:

Sorry to hijack thread.
Can you backhaul connect each mesh node using an ethernet cable.
I'm lucky enough to have cat6.

By all means ask a question but as this is the idiots guide please keep it simple. Backhaul?

[LunarOne]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Greenmantle said:

Sorry to hijack thread.
Can you backhaul connect each mesh node using an ethernet cable.
I'm lucky enough to have cat6.

By all means ask a question but as this is the idiots guide please keep it simple. Backhaul?

Backhaul describes how the wifi access points in the mesh system talk to each other. The idea is that it should not be using the same wifi channels as you use to connect your devices. Ideally you should use an ethernet cable to avoid using wifi at all for this task. That creates the most solid and performant installation.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to two choices:

TP-Link Deco X50 AX3000
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B09LVFNMVJ/r...

or

Eero 6+
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0CHJDTV38/r...

I already have some TP-Link smart devices and find their app interface pretty easy.

Which would you guys go for?

[mikeiow]

We have had TPlink M5 devices (x3) for some years now. Work a treat: removed our blackspots, gives decent performance.
Also went for the same at our old stone holiday cottage. Again, gives great performance everywhere.

I’d be happy with more TPlink kit.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

I think TP-Link is the way for me to go.

Budget is up to around 200€, probably overkill for my needs but I can get their wifi 7 mesh for that:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0D6W3T4M3/r...

Edited by RedWhiteMonkey on Thursday 12th December 12:13

[cobra kid]

Nothing wrong with overkill as you'll know that hopefully, each device will b eat it's maximum capability.

[rpguk]

How is the handover between access points handled these days? A few years ago I had a 'mesh' setup (in that I'm not sure if it was a true mesh setup or even if that's a defined thing) and found that my laptop would connect to one access point and would stay connected to it even if I moved to a room that had a different one. The end result was an even weaker signal than having a centrally located router. It didn't happen all the time but enough that it didn't seem worth the hassle. Did I just have a bad setup and is this all negotiated as you move around the house now?

[Captain_Morgan]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Captain_Morgan said:

What isp do you have?

I’d avoid eero / Amazon, consider tp-link, asus, netgear or linksys

I'm in Germany, its Vodafone. We have the option to go fibre optic but the price puts me off.

What's the issue with Eero? The Eero 6+ is on offer on Amazon.de right now and the specs appear better than similarly priced tp-link, netgear, etc. stuff.

Eero had issues with using access point mode, this may have changed but it also has “premium services” which are leased, which are often included with other manufacturers.

As it’s DE I’m unsure if the router change would be a issue or not.