[SOLVED] Mesh WiFi without smartphone.

[velocityg4]

It seems that all Mesh WiFi systems require some Android or iOS app. I'm curious if there are any mesh systems which can be setup totally by a web browser interface like regular routers, switches and access points.

The main base unit would also need to connect to a 24 port gigabit switch for all hardwired devices. It would be preferable if it could act as an access point.

 

[kanewolf]

It seems that all Mesh WiFi systems require some Android or iOS app. I'm curious if there are any mesh systems which can be setup totally by a web browser interface like regular routers, switches and access points.

The main base unit would also need to connect to a 24 port gigabit switch for all hardwired devices. It would be preferable if it could act as an access point.

What about the AmpliFI system from Ubiquiti. But the first question, If you have a large wired infrastructure, why do you want mesh? You can use your wired infrastructure for backhaul rather than mesh.

 

[velocityg4]

What about the AmpliFI system from Ubiquiti. But the first question, If you have a large wired infrastructure, why do you want mesh? You can use your wired infrastructure for backhaul rather than mesh.

A client has a large house with WiFi dead spots (lots of walls and thick floors). It is pre-wired with Ethernet. I've setup access points to the best locations I could find with Ethernet jacks. Even less than 30 feet away speeds are horrible because those walls block the signals so well. Most of the Ethernet lines are in the home office. Only a few run throughout the house and they are old CAT 5 cables anyways. Limiting them to 100 Mb/s. It's a 24 port switch but only about 15 lines are being used. It was just the cheapest switch larger than 8 ports Microcenter had in stock.

While I've tried to dissuade him. He's all hopped up about Mesh. I'm seeing if there's something I can still work on remotely. Before making recommendations on that or Powerline WiFi.

My preference is for Powerline WiFi. I'm not convinced Mesh will do the job. My preferred kit the TP-Link WPA-8630 Kit is getting hard to find. What with Amazon shutting down non-essential sales. The only replacement TP-Link seems to have is the lesser WPA-7510. I like the WPA-8630 as it uses 2x2 MIMO over the powerlines to communicate between devices. So, far it is the only one I've found to be reliable. Thus my reluctance to try another powerline system.

Also the Powerline run from the office to the basement to the kitchen is quite long. Those Powerline systems degrade quite a bit over distance.

 

[kanewolf]

A client has a large house with WiFi dead spots (lots of walls and thick floors). It is pre-wired with Ethernet. I've setup access points to the best locations I could find with Ethernet jacks. Even less than 30 feet away speeds are horrible because those walls block the signals so well. Most of the Ethernet lines are in the home office. Only a few run throughout the house and they are old CAT 5 cables anyways. Limiting them to 100 Mb/s. It's a 24 port switch but only about 15 lines are being used. It was just the cheapest switch larger than 8 ports Microcenter had in stock.

While I've tried to dissuade him. He's all hopped up about Mesh. I'm seeing if there's something I can still work on remotely. Before making recommendations on that or Powerline WiFi.

My preference is for Powerline WiFi. I'm not convinced Mesh will do the job. My preferred kit the TP-Link WPA-8630 Kit is getting hard to find. What with Amazon shutting down non-essential sales. The only replacement TP-Link seems to have is the lesser WPA-7510. I like the WPA-8630 as it uses 2x2 MIMO over the powerlines to communicate between devices. So, far it is the only one I've found to be reliable. Thus my reluctance to try another powerline system.

Also the Powerline run from the office to the basement to the kitchen is quite long. Those Powerline systems degrade quite a bit over distance.

Can your TP-Link APs use a wireless backhaul? If so, then walk around with one on a tripod until you get the coverage desired.

This client needs to be persuaded to pay for network cable installation. That is the only thing that will fix their WIFI problems.

 

[velocityg4]

Can your TP-Link APs use a wireless backhaul? If so, then walk around with one on a tripod until you get the coverage desired.

This client needs to be persuaded to pay for network cable installation. That is the only thing that will fix their WIFI problems.

Just an update. Tried a Powerline adapter. Since it was easy to have him test it remotely without a service call. The Powerline runs were too long and only achieved about 20 Mb/s.

He's adamant about trying mesh. I've narrowed it down to Netgear Orbi, Linksys Velop and TP-Link Deco. As they all have web interfaces and allow wired backhaul.

The big question with these is they all seem to not be true mesh but designed for a star network. But updates are supposed to allow them to daisy chain a la mesh. I'm just seeing if any of these systems actually work like this as intended. As I've seen some posts to indicate (at least Orbi and Velop) keep defaulting to a star layout. I'd want it to instead have the wireless child satellites to connect to the wired child satellites. If they are a better connection than a wireless child satellite connecting to the main router unit.

I do like these mesh systems. Since at least if the mesh still won't provide a strong signal in the kitchen, living room and basement as I expect. Which I've told him. Since they support wired backhaul. He'll be able to keep the system and have Ethernet jacks installed for them.

Here's a simplified diagram. Obviously there's a whole bunch of wireless devices in the house and hardwired devices in the office. This is mostly for how the mesh devices are expected to interact and some key devices on the network.

https://imgur.com/a/2L7nYsj

View: https://imgur.com/a/2L7nYsj


So, any opinions on the best mesh options to achieve the desired results.

• Ethernet backhaul
• At least six nodes
• Preferably WiFi 6 options available
• Web Interface (full featured sorry Ubiquiti)
• Daisy chain nodes

 

[kanewolf]

"Trying" mesh, means buying mesh. That may mean wasted purchases. If the client accepts the risk of no improvement, then it is their money....