Been out of the loop - can someone explain mesh networks? (orbi/googlewifi)

[Nvidiaguy07]

What makes these so special? GF's dad is look to expand wifi coverage, and I mentioned these new devices, but don't really know anything about them myself.

Their modem is in the basement, which is their first problem, but we can probably run some cables through the house to at least have the main router on the top floor. I'm thinking running cables from the main router to extenders/routers would be as just as good as these mesh networks - but with more work required. I know if we put in wireless extenders, you get half the speed of a wired extender, so i think that's probably not the best idea - but on the other hand, half speed might be fine for their use (netflix, internet browsing, etc... nothing getting transferred over the network to warrant having super fast speed).

Whats the best option for total coverage of a big house (with access extending to the backyard)? I need probably 3-4 access points. Would just getting an orbi or google wifi be fine? Or would it be better to do some other setup.

Also it would be nice to have the network all have the same name and password for seamless moving between access points. Is this something mesh networks do better than some other kind of setups cant do?

Thanks.

 

[mnewsham]

Mesh devices such as the Orbi and google wifi and similar are literally just wireless access points that have software included to make setup and configuration dead easy for the average person.

You can get the same or better coverage by buying and configuring your own access points but if you don't have any experience setting up wireless access points this might be over your head, and this is why mesh systems are becoming popular, most people simply don't want to have to think about it and just want it to plug in and work.



Pretty much all access points can be configured for a mesh setup, set the SSIDs to match, put in the same password and encryption as your other access points, make sure you're running on different channels so their signals aren't fighting against each other and you're done.



Doing a wired mesh network with wireless access points is my preference, run an Ethernet drop to each access point. Each access point is now hardwired and capable of providing full speeds to nearby devices, set them up with the same SSID and passwords and you'll have a seamless wireless network that is much more robust than something like the Orbi system or similar systems which have a wired base station that uses access points as repeaters to extend the wireless signal. The Orbi setup works and is the least effort for install and configuration, but you'll be more limited bandwidth and higher latency. If performance isn't a huge concern, then a turn-key product like the Orbi might be what you want.

 

[JackMDS]

One of the problems of Consumer Wireless Technology is that the Vendors have limited/ constricting capacity to go forward.

As a result many "advances" in WIFI are more of a marketing name changing and "lame" play with number and little Technology Advances.

Using Wireless Router as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html


😎

 

[Bardock]

You can get license free 5ghz outdoor antennas for $100 a pair. Look on Amazon for litebeam m5.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Mesh devices such as the Orbi and google wifi and similar are literally just wireless access points that have software included to make setup and configuration dead easy for the average person.

You forgot, "proper" ones, have a secondary radio for backhaul / uplink, to the other mesh devices in the home.

That's what makes them an actual "Mesh" router, and not just a glorified AP.

 

[mv2devnull]

You forgot, "proper" ones, have a secondary radio for backhaul / uplink, to the other mesh devices in the home.

That's what makes them an actual "Mesh" router, and not just a glorified AP.

Does the backhaul/uplink dwell in a different subnet?
If not, then all you have is a bridge between two radio channels. Not a router.

 

[Kartajan]

In the mesh setup, one device is performing router duties, the other(s) perform AP duties with what amounts to a built in bridge between them. The draw for these devices is (a) ease of setup for those who are less technical or just lazy, (b) allegedly better hand-off logic when moving out of range of one "AP" to another, (c) The "more pretty/ more shiny" factor

A more technical person can DIY their own solution with a "regular" router and AP's quite easily...
(The DIY method is usually more secure/ better privacy due to the mesh networks trending to "set up with a smartphone" and "cloud managed", which both have pros and cons to consider...)

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Can anyone recommend a good router/routers to use for this? And should I be looking for ones that are ddwrt-able?

Like I said coverage is more important than speed. I'm able to run some Network cables to some spots, but some spots I need to do it wirelessly. Hopefully there's some deals on Amazon today.

Sent from my LGUS997 using Tapatalk

 

[razel]

True MESH networks have one SSID that your device will switch between often based on signal strength. The network will suggest which methods it supports for roaming and your device will decide to switch. You'll see this setting in windows buried in the WiFi HW adapter settings. It is more than just bridged APs with the same SSID attached to a router. By doing that only your device may not properly roam between radios, because it isn't a proper MESH.

As for which types. For friends, family. GWiFi/onHub has been unbeatable for coverage and overall thoughtful design. Orbi is also awesome, but I never benched one, just played around with one at the lab at work. I'm also keeping an eye on Linksys Velop (nearly identical hardware to GWiFi) since Linksys support DD-WRT with their DD-WRT line of routers. However do not get any of what I suggested if you tinker with WiFi setttings a lot. You'll hate it.

As for traditional routers. You can buy just one GWiFi or onHub if you are fine with set-it-and-forget WiFi. Currently on Amazon Prime Day there is the great TP-Link C7 or C9 for $80. Also I think the Linksys WRT-3200 was ~$140. Yep that's the fastest DD-WRT router designed for it. Though I tend to recommend the ~$100 WRT-1900ACS from Linksys refurb since it also runs Untangle... if you want professional level software on a home router.

 

[JackMDS]

You forgot, "proper" ones, have a secondary radio for backhaul / uplink, to the other mesh devices in the home.

That's what makes them an actual "Mesh" router, and not just a glorified AP.

Yap, most of Wireless "Gizmos" (no matter what verbiage marketing dab on them) have only one Radio that Flip and Flops (between Transmit and Receive all the time).

Just like Flip Flops (while have their own limited summer usage) are not real shoes, so are many of the Consumers' Wireless.


😎

 

[KentState]

In the mesh setup, one device is performing router duties, the other(s) perform AP duties with what amounts to a built in bridge between them. The draw for these devices is (a) ease of setup for those who are less technical or just lazy, (b) allegedly better hand-off logic when moving out of range of one "AP" to another, (c) The "more pretty/ more shiny" factor

A more technical person can DIY their own solution with a "regular" router and AP's quite easily...
(The DIY method is usually more secure/ better privacy due to the mesh networks trending to "set up with a smartphone" and "cloud managed", which both have pros and cons to consider...)

It has nothing to do with being lazy or less technical. In an AP setup, it requires a backhaul back to a common switch/router, while a proper mesh network can either talk point-to-point or over a wired backhaul. The Netgear Orbi is only partially a mesh solution as all the satellites have to talk to the base, but the Google and Linksys solutions can talk point-to-point.

I personally will be dumping my Ubiquiti AP's in favor of a mesh setup for just wireless. Not all corners of my house can be covered with an AP and a mesh solution will fix that. I'm leaning towards Linksys since they allow both a wired and wireless backhaul, but Netgear's Orbi is appealing since they have wired backhaul in their roadmap since it doesn't offer point-to-point connections.

 

[Kartajan]

It has nothing to do with being lazy or less technical.

I did not mean to imply that a/b/c were the ONLY reasons, just the biggest draw... Renters in particular are likely to be adversely inclined to running hard wired backhaul...