Wireless Network for a very large house

[yourpixelarmy]

Hello everyone,

I've been tasked with setting up a wireless network for a friend who is moving into a very large house--about 13000 sq ft. I've never had issues setting up wireless networks for myself in the past in houses of more modest area, but this is getting beyond me.

What would you suggest is the best option for providing decent coverage to at least 70% of the house? It is 3 floors, and it is L-shaped. I do not believe the house is currently wired for ethernet--though I can double check that later this week.

Originally I had bought an Amped Wireless R10000 Smart Router and R10000 Repeater. I guess I was intrigued by the claims of 10000sqft coverage. However, this got me absolutely nowhere. I actually believe I got a defective unit because I couldn't get internet more than 20 feet away from the unit, and I tried switching every channel and setting I could. I'm sending back the router, but I figured I would hold onto the repeater until I know that it won't be of any use.

Does anybody have any suggestions about how I can go about covering this large space with decent wireless? -- There are no other wireless networks in range that could be interfering with the house from what I can tell.

Thanks

 

[MontyAC]

You can try this:

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi...ef=pd_sim_pc_2

 

[Eug]

You can try this:

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi...ef=pd_sim_pc_2

How well does that work?

Does it automatically handle AP-to-AP handoffs well like standard enterprise equipment?

I used to have a setup which used multiple consumer grade WiFi access points, but the problem there was that they wouldn't communicate with each other for handoffs, which meant that a mobile device would hang onto a signal as long as possible, even if a stronger signal was available from another WiFi access point. I'd have to force a WiFi connect refresh to get the device to accept the stronger signal. As you know, this is not a problem in enterprise, since the access points will communicate with each other to avoid this problem.

 

[yourpixelarmy]

You can try this:

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi...ef=pd_sim_pc_2

This looks like it would work perfectly.

If I'm not mistaken, I need only a single Ubiquiti UniFi to be attached to the modem to act as a router. Then, I can either wire the other two units to act as wired access points or connect them wirelessly to essentially act as wireless access points?

Wish I would have asked this question before ordering the Amped Wireless Router/Repeater combo.

 

[MontyAC]

This looks like it would work perfectly.

If I'm not mistaken, I need only a single Ubiquiti UniFi to be attached to the modem to act as a router. Then, I can either wire the other two units to act as wired access points or connect them wirelessly to essentially act as wireless access points?

Wish I would have asked this question before ordering the Amped Wireless Router/Repeater combo.

You most likely can do that. check their datasheet on their site:

http://www.ubnt.com/unifi

 

[MontyAC]

How well does that work?

Does it automatically handle AP-to-AP handoffs well like standard enterprise equipment?

I used to have a setup which used multiple consumer grade WiFi access points, but the problem there was that they wouldn't communicate with each other for handoffs, which meant that a mobile device would hang onto a signal as long as possible, even if a stronger signal was available from another WiFi access point. I'd have to force a WiFi connect refresh to get the device to accept the stronger signal. As you know, this is not a problem in enterprise, since the access points will communicate with each other to avoid this problem.

Excellent feedback from users. Unifi looks to be very scalable with seamless AP roaming. Check out their site.

 

[yourpixelarmy]

Decided to go ahead and order the Ubiquiti UniFi 3-pack LR. It's most likely overkill for what I need, but it should allow me more flexibility on where I place the units.

I'll let you know how it works for me. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[s44]

If I'm not mistaken, I need only a single Ubiquiti UniFi to be attached to the modem to act as a router. Then, I can either wire the other two units to act as wired access points or connect them wirelessly to essentially act as wireless access points?

No, they're pure APs. No routing at all, and only one ethernet jack. I suggest getting a solid gigabit router (like the WNR3500L -- I'd flash Tomato on it) and turning off the wireless.

The UniFis really work well as APs though.

 

[Eug]

Hmmm... Maybe I'll try these out once they go 802.11ac.

BTW, anyone use these in conjunction with a second guest network?

 

[s44]

Hmmm... Maybe I'll try these out once they go 802.11ac.

Guess you saw the front page?

 

[Eug]

Guess you saw the front page?

Heh, nice. Thanks, I hadn't seen that.

I need to get some 802.11ac clients though too.

Also, I'm a little bit apprehensive in buying draft ac equipment, at least this early. I'd prefer to wait until it's finally ratified, or at least closer to ratification.