Question I need help figuring out what wireless network to do at our house ?

[TheBardKSU]

Hi all. I need some recommendations on what brands / systems / topology I should consider for a replacement wireless network. A few things about my situation:

• I have Century Link fiber
• The interior square footage is 4800 total on 3 levels including a basement
• There are quite a few devices (laptops, phones etc) including cameras inside and outside the house and other smart type devices.
• Most of the rooms in the house has dedicated ethernet ports (about half the rooms have 2 ports)

Due to concerns about security I decided to upgrade from a TP Link Deco S4 mesh system to a Deco AX3000 mesh system. I also created a guest network for the first time for other people not living here to connect to. I changed our main network SSID and password on the new AX3000 and to also hid the main network SSID but broadcasted the guest network. After this, it seems like things weren’t working nearly as well. Certain devices on the main network would disconnect more often and reconnect. (My wife over the past couple years has occasionally said her phone or computer would disconnect from the old network but now w/the AX3000 it was not just hers but lots of other devices intermittent disconnect issues). I decided maybe it was the new system and decided to go back to the older S4 system which seemed more reliable after changing it out. However, it seems there are still issues both on our guest network and main network where certain devices (not all) frequently randomly disconnect/reconnect. It is definitely worse on this current S4 setup than it was before I changed anything from the original S4 setup.

I don’t know if this is because I set up guest network on the S4 and AX3000 or if something was changed in-between device factory resets or if this is a TP Link issue. I feel like I maybe need to move away from TP Link and/or look at a different set up / topology versus the mesh type, but I don’t know.

Here are the things that I am looking for:

• Must haves:
  • The new system must have reliable connections for both the main network and guest network. I don’t want to have to constantly worry about or deal with disconnecting/reconnecting devices.
  • Good range for devices that are outside the house (ex garage camera).
    • FYI, I have most of my mesh systems ethernet backhauled but some of the Deco canisters are in locations that don’t have ethernet nearby and are wirelessly connected to the mesh system. (I have 5 total S4 devices: 3 backhauled and 2 wireless). So unless these new devices I chose have good enough range I wonder if I might need a wireless “extender” kind of device or two if needed.
• Would like to have
  • Ability to easily identify which devices are on the main and guest networks and choose to receive alerts when certain devices of my choice connect/disconnect
  • Whatever phone app I would be using would update the network statuses quickly. The TP Link app sometimes takes 30 seconds-1 minute to update the status of connected devices even after an alert comes in that a device joined.
  • I’d like for this to be relatively low maintenance (meaning I’m not having to constantly look at or manage things on the network, troubleshoot ect)

Like I mentioned, I’m not dead set on doing the mesh system again if a different architecture makes sense. I’m ok starting from ground zero on this one, getting rid of all my TP LInk mesh stuff, and going to something completely new if it makes more sense and gets me what I want above.

Thank you.

 

[Ralston18]

The starting point is a simple sketch of the envisioned network showing all devices and connections.

Wired and wireless.

Modem, Router, Computers, Printers, NAS, cell phones, cameras, everything.

Base the the sketch on the existing toplogy showing wire runs and wall jacks.

The sketch does not need to be a work of art. Just simply show the physical layout with each device's name, MAC, and IP address indicated where the device will be located. Use lines for wired connected and something like ~~~~> or lightning bolts for wireless.

If DHCP then just list "DHCP". If static then list the Static IP address you plan to use.

Go online and look for "network maps images diagrams". Find a format that you like and model your sketch using that format as a template.

A copy of the house's floor plans likely will prove helpful.

--- More likely copies: floor plans or otherwise. The plan will change so keep a clean copy of the last plan handy for do overs.

Having the proverbial big picture fully in sight goes a long way towards helping with future planning and implementation.

As for wireless: Roaming aggression needs to be kept in mind.

Make a list of requirements: E.g., "notifications" when a device goes on or offline. You may need a commercial product to achieve the required alert times.

Planning matters.

Then, if you can do so without devulging personal information, share your plan/sketch here.

Post via imgur (www.imgur.com) and solicit further suggestions and ideas.

 

[kanewolf]

Hi all. I need some recommendations on what brands / systems / topology I should consider for a replacement wireless network. A few things about my situation:

• I have Century Link fiber
• The interior square footage is 4800 total on 3 levels including a basement
• There are quite a few devices (laptops, phones etc) including cameras inside and outside the house and other smart type devices.
• Most of the rooms in the house has dedicated ethernet ports (about half the rooms have 2 ports)

Due to concerns about security I decided to upgrade from a TP Link Deco S4 mesh system to a Deco AX3000 mesh system. I also created a guest network for the first time for other people not living here to connect to. I changed our main network SSID and password on the new AX3000 and to also hid the main network SSID but broadcasted the guest network. After this, it seems like things weren’t working nearly as well. Certain devices on the main network would disconnect more often and reconnect. (My wife over the past couple years has occasionally said her phone or computer would disconnect from the old network but now w/the AX3000 it was not just hers but lots of other devices intermittent disconnect issues). I decided maybe it was the new system and decided to go back to the older S4 system which seemed more reliable after changing it out. However, it seems there are still issues both on our guest network and main network where certain devices (not all) frequently randomly disconnect/reconnect. It is definitely worse on this current S4 setup than it was before I changed anything from the original S4 setup.

I don’t know if this is because I set up guest network on the S4 and AX3000 or if something was changed in-between device factory resets or if this is a TP Link issue. I feel like I maybe need to move away from TP Link and/or look at a different set up / topology versus the mesh type, but I don’t know.

Here are the things that I am looking for:

• Must haves:
  • The new system must have reliable connections for both the main network and guest network. I don’t want to have to constantly worry about or deal with disconnecting/reconnecting devices.
  • Good range for devices that are outside the house (ex garage camera).
    • FYI, I have most of my mesh systems ethernet backhauled but some of the Deco canisters are in locations that don’t have ethernet nearby and are wirelessly connected to the mesh system. (I have 5 total S4 devices: 3 backhauled and 2 wireless). So unless these new devices I chose have good enough range I wonder if I might need a wireless “extender” kind of device or two if needed.
• Would like to have
  • Ability to easily identify which devices are on the main and guest networks and choose to receive alerts when certain devices of my choice connect/disconnect
  • Whatever phone app I would be using would update the network statuses quickly. The TP Link app sometimes takes 30 seconds-1 minute to update the status of connected devices even after an alert comes in that a device joined.
  • I’d like for this to be relatively low maintenance (meaning I’m not having to constantly look at or manage things on the network, troubleshoot ect)

Like I mentioned, I’m not dead set on doing the mesh system again if a different architecture makes sense. I’m ok starting from ground zero on this one, getting rid of all my TP LInk mesh stuff, and going to something completely new if it makes more sense and gets me what I want above.

Thank you.

EVERY stationary device should be on a wired connection if it has a port. TVs, game consoles, PCs, laptop docking stations, etc. If it doesn't move use a wired network. You may have to add switches in the room if there is a single ethernet port back to the core network.
Add WIFI sources (APs) where you have your mobile devices are most of the time. That usually means the living room/family room and master suite, maybe kids room.
Segregate IOT devices from the rest of the network. Depending on the camera architecture, you may have to isolate the cameras or just the NVR.
Ubiquiti UniFI has some of the best integration of ALL your network hardware and device insights.
UniFI does not do parental controls beyond time-of-day restrictions.
Use PIHole for DNS. That can provide significant network usage insights.

 

[TheBardKSU]

Thank you both for taking the time to write all of this. I appreciate the ideas and suggestions.

Oh boy this all sounds like a lot of work.... and I'm while I'm fairly technically apt, these suggestions seem like they could be a lot of research and time needed to do this since I'm not really a networking person. I totally get that this could be some work to learn and figure out! Does anyone have any suggestions for more "out of the box" kinds of solutions I could consider trying first? I'm not saying I won't try a lot of these, but wonder if something less complex would be sufficient. The mesh system I had overall worked well enough except for the random disconnection/reconnection issues. If there was a mesh system that could guarantee a pretty darn reliable connection for main and guest networks then this would fit what I need. My "must haves" would be met and the "would likes" wouldn't need to be there.

Thanks again.

 

[bill001g]

You have to remember wifi layout is a very complex topic there are people whose who career is just designing wifi systems for business.

Mesh systems should be your last choice. Wifi AP connected via ethernet or some other form of wires like MoCA or powerline network are much better.

In the end your disconnect issues are likely related to the coverage. In the end you need to have the signals overlap as little as possible so your end device can be forced to connect where you want. You can alternatively just use different SSID on all the radios so you can force them.

 

[TheBardKSU]

Update: Hey all, thank you for all the recommendations. I've taken your advice and spent the time to look at this at a more detailed and systematic level. I've been thinking more about hardwiring as much as possible. I've started looking into the Unifi system as a main new network system and I've created a wifi map using the Unifi design software. Not 100% sure if I'll go the Unifi route but it looks tempting if I believe I can manage all the technical aspects of it. I'm still going through the process of what exactly I'll end up with, but I just wanted to update that I've taken your advice and not just gone the "easy" route here. I'll try to provide an update when I get through all of this.

 

[Ralston18]

And remember that the more effort you put in up front then the more you will learn and know.

Then, not if, when future problems occur it will be much easier to troubleshoot, identify, and solve those problems.

And, for the most part you will be able to handle most technical aspects. Or at least find the culprit....

 

[TheBardKSU]

Update:

I ended up going with a Unifi system. A Dream Router + Switch Lite 16 + 2x U6 Mesh. So far after 2 full days the connections have been solid and everyone is saying that the Wi-Fi is so much better. Fingers crossed, it looks like this solved the issue! The only thing is I'll need to add another AP to cover the garage but I half expected this to be needed. Thank you everyone for encouraging me to go the "harder" route but I'm pretty sure I'll be much happier in the long-run. It took quite a bit of time to wrap my head around everything but I feel like I'm in a good place now. All of the real time information / logging / data / GUI and control ability is quite impressive and helpful for troubleshooting and customization.

I considered going the UDM Pro / UDM Pro SE route to get over the 700 Mb limit of the UDR but in the end, it was a lot cheaper device (plus it's one less AP to buy) and I doubt I'll ever truly "need" the full 940 Mb connection for awhile. Plus by then I would guess the UDR will have a different model version at the same price point (or a little bit higher) w/the upgraded CPU to get over the bandwidth limit and I could sell the existing one and get the new one then.

There is one thing that I'm very disappointed about though. It looks like from reading online of what people are saying there is no way to be notified when a new device connects to networks. I'm honestly SHOCKED Unifi doesn't have this. For something this professional and for a feature that necessary and critical (IMO) I just expected it to be there. And people have been apparently requesting this for over 5 years... My older and significantly cheaper TP-Link mesh system had this feature...but a system for businesses and critical applications at least 3x the cost doesn't??? How else are you supposed to know when a new device connects to your network without manually having to go check things on a regular basis? I'm quite disappointed this isn't a feature and based on the track record I doubt it will be added anytime soon.

 

[bill001g]

A new device that you do not know about should never connect to your system unless you leaked your password....or you have WPS enabled.

I guess if you are really worried about it you use the profession method and do not use pre shared keys. This way every device is authenticated by your radius server and not the wireless network. You will have very clear logs when every device connects and disconnects.

 

[TheBardKSU]

A new device that you do not know about should never connect to your system unless you leaked your password....or you have WPS enabled.

I guess if you are really worried about it you use the profession method and do not use pre shared keys. This way every device is authenticated by your radius server and not the wireless network. You will have very clear logs when every device connects and disconnects.

Well, that's part of my concern is if someone does somehow get access (maybe hacked and they get the password or whatever) that I'm able to at least be notified and know if I don't recognize the device.

What I also want to know is if a new device connects to the guest network. That way if I have new devices connect I can much more easily identify them.

If I get too concerned okay maybe I'll look into the radius server thing (I'm not familiar )