Wifi 6 mesh network suggestions
 

I've always been a bit disappointed with my wifi coverage. Buying the Blink outdoor camera system sent me down another rabbit hole... upgrading my wifi.

I have 100mbps fiber optic service. My current blend of ISP dual band modem/router in the basement hardwired to a TP link dual band router on the first floor set as an access point and a wired dual band router setup as an access point out in my barn does the job but my signal in my garage and out on my patio is lacking which makes me think the new camera system might not be able to get the signal it needs. My kids use the 5g for streaming. I could add a range extender or another router/AP but I'm thinking moving to tri-band might be nice since several of my firesticks have 6ghz capability.

My main issue is that I never ran a cable to my shop. My current system will reach the outside of the shop with about 1 bar but it won't penetrate the walls of my fortress of solitude. I'm thinking I can add a wired outdoor range extender to my barn AP with a repeater in my shop and that would help with my outdoor coverage. The reason I'm thinking wired is that my barn has metal siding so the signal doesn't extend into my back yard even though it is by far the closest AP.

My thought is, with a new mesh I could have two or maybe three wired AP's with two or three wireless repeaters and have the coverage I need. BTW, I'm not really a "tech nerd" so if I have the wording wrong above I apologize.

I'll try to pull up a google earth image of my place. It might help to see the situation I'm dealing with.

I have cable from the house to the barn but nothing to the shop as mentioned above. My signal from my current setup is okay in the garage but out on the back patio between the garage and barn the signal fades. I'm thinking a repeater in the garage would improve signal on the patio.

I've considered a wired outdoor range extender from the barn router to the end of the barn closest to the shop thinking this might improve signal and pierce the shop walls where i could add another repeater.

I suppose something like this might help the current system and it's not very expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-EAP110-Outdoor-V3-Installation-Controller/dp/B07CG3YRTR/ref=pd_di_sccai_cn_sccl_3_3/134-9076112-4019749?pd_rd_w=pJT3E&pf_rd_p=1ed8df3a-0df8-4988-98b9-252e4c99c568&pf_rd_r=HXQ42JEKBJYMK1APXH96&pd_rd_r= e6839a53-619c-4ed2-9190-10d503a32502&pd_rd_wg=ns0Vd&pd_rd_i=B07CG3YRTR&psc =1

I considered a directional yagi on the end of the barn pointed at the shop with a repeater in the shop. None of this would cost much to add.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1651668041.jpg

Considered Ethernet over Powerline?

^^^
I have but the work to go wired throughout the system is more than I care to tackle. All three of the router/AP's I have are wired direct to the main modem/router ethernet. My problem is I don't have cable to the shop and the work to get it there would make a mess of things. That's why I think wireless is going to be the best path forward. I won't be using the internet in the shop for streaming. It's mostly for searches when working on cars and the occasional youtube video associated with the search results.

I don't have any issues with the home setup other than it doesn't reach the patio. There I could go wired because I have a pull wire in the garage attic. I could fairly easily pull a new wire from the modem/router up to the garage attic and install an AP in the garage.

How many electrical meters from your electrical provider do you have for your home, barn and shop do you have?

Just one meter. From the meter it goes to a 200a disconnect that feeds the house and to a 100a disconnect that feeds the shop. From the shop there is a 50a breaker that feeds the barn.

I don't think a mesh system will work over those distances. Unless you connect a hardwire to the mesh routers. Trenching a 1/2" flexible conduit for the cables will not be too bad.

Trench house to barn, then barn to shop. Connect house to barn from the router, then connect barn to shop from a port on that router.

EoP is worth a try. I am using THIS. I am a retired 25 year IT Systems Engineer, and this was recommended to me by a client with a setup pretty much as you describe yours. If it doesn't work, just send it back to Amazon.

A key setup point: The node can share a socket but not a plug. Also, the cable from your network should be directly from your router, not an added switch. Read the directions that come with it, but basically, if the nodes see each other, you will have a circuit. Feel free to PM with questions.

Currently I have the house to the barn connected by ethernet. I trenched that in when the barn went up. Barn to shop is the big one. The distance between the shop and barn is only about 30 feet. This is why I first thought about a yagi directional antenna combined with a repeater in the shop.

I thought about using the adapters you posted but I haven't looked into the pros and cons versus just using an extender like the one below. The plus to this one is it can function as a wireless repeater, if I'm reading it correctly, or I can configure it to access point and go wired from the main router. The nice thing is, I already have a TP link router in the system that might work well with these.

https://www.amazon.com/Wifi-Extender-Booster-Wireless-Repeater-dp-B08RHD97QY/dp/B08RHD97QY/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

A new mesh system would probably be enough to suit your needs. I've been doing a lot of research and it still seems like netgear has a great reputation in the market. I'd look into thier "Orbi" product line
They offer a couple kits for 7,500ft+

-Matt

I was looking at their systems. I guess I mentioned Eero because of the price point. I've always been a fan of TP Link and Asus and both have good systems as well.

I've got the TP link system and it has been fantastic, great speed, very reliable, easy to setup.

Are you using the range extenders I posted a link to above?

no sir, the TP Link Deco system, WIfi6, 4000 SQ/ft home, meandering, stone exterior walls, thick lathe and plaster walls, great coverage.

https://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Wifi-6-Router-System/dp/B085Z35GY6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tp+link+deco+mesh+wifi+system& qid=1651681164&sprefix=tp+link%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3

WiFi-6 is no better than WiFi-5 unless the connecting devices are WiF-i6 also.

Okay, thanks for the link!

I'm leaning towards keeping my Tp Link router and extending that network with the range extenders I linked above. I might pull some cable to the garage and connect one as an AP but I'm going to see how it works as a repeater first.

I have a similar situation at one house. I am using these Ubiquity Nanobeams to beam from building to building:

airMAX NanoBeam AC

then I added their Aircube access point in the out building.

PoE is subject to noise on teh line or maybe split power distribution issues. Range extenders slow down transmission rates and the network. Something to consider...

Questions!
1. If I'm wired from my primary modem/router to each of my routers and they're configured as access points I shouldn't see any drop in transmission speed correct?

2. If I connect the repeater/AP's I bought with cable and configure as AP's I shouldn't see a drop in transmission speed correct?

I bought the Tp link range extenders. Now I'm waiting for my old galaxy S5 to charge because none of apple wifi analyzer apps I've found have been very user friendly. I downloaded wifi analyzer from the google play store and checked wifi signal strength in the house on both the TP link router on the first floor and the ISP modem/router in the basement. I'm going to do a few different tests in a few locations and determine where to put a range extender and which router I'm going to connect it to. I'll start in my garage and move out to my patio.

I've got Google mesh. Now full wifi coverage over my entire property without ever switching routers. I've rebooted it ONCE in 5 years. Flawless.

Please talk about this.
It looks to be the most expensive option, but I don't care as there isn't anything worse than the NHL playoffs buffering during a break away. Plus I would like to be able to have internet down at my boathouse and detached garage.

Honestly I don't know if its any better than other mesh networks - however after years with messing around with range extenders, having to switch networks when I moved around the house, it was worth the cost for me. Its seamless everywhere.

I have 4. The "base" connects to my router in my basement office. Second one is at the front of the house, first floor. Third at the rear of the house first floor. These cover the 200' x 100' 1/2 acre property front to back. The last one is in the center of the second floor, covers the upstairs. THe effective range seems to be about 75-100 feet.

They give you full wifi and each has an ethernet port if you want to connect one wired device to each.

^^^
The switching is what has me considering a mesh solution. But for mesh capability, I can order a new TP Link one mesh router. Since the repeaters have one mesh capability, I should be seamless at that point. I need to do some looking into this before I guy all in and buy another router. But then again, I can add my current TP Link as a wired access point in my shop, which would mean only one jump, if I can get strong enough signal from the barn mesh to penetrate the shop.

I just came back from Canada Computers. He was suggesting a big ass router.

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_1046_365&item_id=167320

^^^
I don't see how that helps much. And for that price you could rent a trencher, put in some line, and buy a cheap mesh system. Granted, this isn't wifi 6 mesh but still! Weird but if you buy three of the single, it cost less than buying a three pack.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Deco-Replacement-S4-3-Pack/dp/B084GTH5LL/ref=asc_df_B084GTH5LL/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416794793908&hvpos=&hvne tw=g&hvrand=16538911306668441716&hvpone=&hvptwo=&h vqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015981 &hvtargid=pla-900131280889&ref=&adgrpid=95587149484&th=1

The wifi 6 is only $50 more for 3.
https://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Wifi-6-Router-System/dp/B085Z35GY6/ref=asc_df_B085Z35GY6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=439531724089&hvpos=&hvnetw= g&hvrand=16538911306668441716&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqm t=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015981&hv targid=pla-1096550645192&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=101224628559 &hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=439531724089&hvpos=&hvnetw =g&hvrand=16538911306668441716&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdv cmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015981&hvtargid=pla-1096550645192

range extenders simply take a crappy signal and try to expand it. Mesh systems are using the same signal strength at the source and putting that through the house

I set up an Asus CT8 last year. The base is plugged into the Verizon ONT in the basement and the safellite is on the second floor with backhaul using a separate 5 GHz channel. It also supports wired backhaul. Each unit has RJ45 jacks if you want to plug in a device. Additional sateliites can be added to the mesh. Both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands share the same SSID so devices connect using the band that provides the best coonection.

I have great coverage even in the garage which is about 150 feet from either base.

I didn't buy the wifi6 mesh. I went with the one linked below. A funny thing, they had the three pack priced higher than if you bought three individual so I ordered four total. Two days later, the price has been reduced so that a three pack is cheaper than buying three individuals.

One thing I've noticed, and I suppose this makes sense, is that I don't have an option to connect specific things to the 5ghz network. It is supposed to map usage and connect a device to the best network for its specific use. With my old router, I'd connect my laptop to the 5ghz network only.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Deco-Replacement-S4-3-Pack/dp/B084GTH5LL/ref=asc_df_B084GTH5LL/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416794793908&hvpos=&hvne tw=g&hvrand=11492413522975405603&hvpone=&hvptwo=&h vqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015981 &hvtargid=pla-900131280889&ref=&adgrpid=95587149484&th=1

I'm presently using Netgear ORBI Mesh and it works great. I have an older model, but I don't need anything more than WiFi 6.

Again, put the main unit in the house, the second one on a hard wire line in the garage, then use the spare port and run another 30 feet of trenched ethernet (30 feet is not bad!). Rent a trencher for a couple of hours and use 50 feet of 1/2" flexible plastic conduit.

I used the RBK 753. The RBK 853 is the later version and uses WiFi 6E and is Tri-band. Only the very latest phones can use 6E. Most devices won't even need 6.

RBK 753 is $549 on Amazon and comes with the base unit and 2 repeaters. You could try using the wireless link before the trenching exercise and see how it performs. If you want to save a little, you can go refurbished (I did!!!) for $350.

The TOP of the line is the RBK963 and has better wireless linking between the units using a 4th radio band. I am SURE I am not spending $1500 for that!!!

Edit: The refurbished RBK963 is about $1K. With the 6GHZ radio you may not need to put in the direct wire ethernet all. Might be cheaper and easier in the end....

Are your remote nodes mounted horizontal on the ceiling or vertical on walls? If they are vertical the range will be notably smaller.

Hey, Nick, just my $.02:

Put one node in you shop (near the barn side), one in your barn, one in your garage, and one in your house (I assume this will be the primary unit connected to your modem).

Placement of the node in your barn will likely be the most sensitive; it'll have to tx/rx a strong enough signal w/both the garage and shop nodes. Looks like the Deco app supports beamforming; you'll want to make sure this is enabled.

You'll want to connect the barn, garage, and house nodes to your network via Ethernet to take advantage of the wired/dedicated backhaul; this'll open up wifi bandwidth (though probably not an issue unless you're using a bunch of devices simultaneously). IME, 2.4ghz wifi is good up to ~300mbps while 5ghz can handle considerably faster speeds though with shorter range than 2.4. Since you're getting 100mbps internet service, either should be fine.

Good luck!

That's exactly what I did. The only wireless nodes are the garage and shop. The barn had Cat5E wire from the house. Everything is up and running and all areas have coverage!