Mesh network

[Pocster]

Looked into this before .

 

Tried the default “ go to “ of ubiquiti . For the love of god couldn’t get those nodes to stay adopted .

Sent that back

Next tried netgear orbi ( around 300 quid ) not the 2k version . Good reviews .

Useless in my experience. App would say it’s working whilst node would indicate it wasn’t . Then they’d swap ; app says no , node says yes .

Sent that back 

 

ASUS Zen ….. perfection ! . Ethernet backhaul - stable mesh . Joy ! 

 

Whilst it’s within my technical field to tinker with this I really did want an out the box working option . Ethernet backhaul was a bit strange as it wouldn’t work if going through my unmanaged switch . Direct to ‘main’ zen - all good . Nice app aswell ; lots of features . Plan on throttling swmbo’s connection down just for my amusement.

Edited October 26, 2022 by pocster

[Kelvin]

Asus Zen very good and easy to setup. I have the BT Wholehome setup. Strictly not a mesh system and doesn’t have an ethernet backhaul but it is very reliable, provides terrific coverage, plug and go so no fecking about necessary, is fast enough for our use and has worked reliably since I switched it on. I might choose to swap it all out for the new build but probably not. Everything that is fixed will be ethernet. 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Kelvin

[Temp]

I installed 5 WiFi Access points with wired connections to a hub and modem.

 

I might be wrong but as I understand it mesh systems need to be installed so that the WiFi coverage of  each node significantly overlaps with its neighbours. This means more nodes are need to cover a given area. I think each node also needs its own RF channel so on a large house you might have an issue with not enough channels or interference between nodes.

 

WIth wired access points you don't need such a large overlap, or any at all, because the nodes don't have to communicate with each other over wi-fi. So they can be further apart without meaning fewer are needed to provide good coverage.

 

 

 

 

 

[Pocster]

29 minutes ago, Temp said:

I installed 5 WiFi Access points with wired connections to a hub and modem.

 

I might be wrong but as I understand it mesh systems need to be installed so that the WiFi coverage of  each node significantly overlaps with its neighbours. This means more nodes are need to cover a given area. I think each node also needs its own RF channel so on a large house you might have an issue with not enough channels or interference between nodes.

 

WIth wired access points you don't need such a large overlap, or any at all, because the nodes don't have to communicate with each other over wi-fi. So they can be further apart without meaning fewer are needed to provide good coverage.

 

 

 

 

 

I think it depends 

Zen has 2 5Ghz channels - you can nominate one as a back channel for its comms . So nodes wirelessly can be further apart . Even without wired access the range is pretty good considering concrete / steel are in the way .

[Radian]

No smartphones I know of are smart enough to switch between access points based on best signal. They just stick with the one they're on until they literally lose the connection. Only then do they connect to a better AP. Makes the mesh concept pie-in-the-sky.

I have an Orbi router (expensive one like @pocster mentioned) with three satellites on ethernet backhaul. Covers two buildings ~330m²  and garden perfectly. But if you move location with a laptop or phone, you can be sat right next to an AP but still have a crap signal from the last one you were connected to.

[Pocster]

31 minutes ago, Radian said:

No smartphones I know of are smart enough to switch between access points based on best signal. They just stick with the one they're on until they literally lose the connection. Only then do they connect to a better AP. Makes the mesh concept pie-in-the-sky.

I have an Orbi router (expensive one like @pocster mentioned) with three satellites on ethernet backhaul. Covers two buildings ~330m²  and garden perfectly. But if you move location with a laptop or phone, you can be sat right next to an AP but still have a crap signal from the last one you were connected to.

That’s poo ! Zen does seem to swap quite easily . I walk around doing Speedtest wirelessly . So right next to an AP great speed . As I walk further away it naturally starts dropping off . As approach a ‘better’ AP it swaps to it and speed picks up . Can see my MAC address swap between nodes .

I would imagine ( hope) orbi *should* be doing the same !! 

Edited October 26, 2022 by pocster

[Radian]

2 hours ago, pocster said:

That’s poo ! Zen does seem to swap quite easily . I walk around doing Speedtest wirelessly . So right next to an AP great speed . As I walk further away it naturally starts dropping off . As approach a ‘better’ AP it swaps to it and speed picks up . Can see my MAC address swap between nodes .

I would imagine ( hope) orbi *should* be doing the same !! 

Recent iPhone model?

[Pocster]

1 minute ago, Radian said:

Recent iPhone model?

iPhone X . So relatively new . SWMBO has an older model ( can’t check it ) which works also . I was more under the impression the node does the work rather than the phone . Just like outside and you roam between radio masts .

[Pocster]

1 minute ago, pocster said:

iPhone X . So relatively new . SWMBO has an older model ( can’t check it ) which works also . I was more under the impression the node does the work rather than the phone . Just like outside and you roam between radio masts .

Forgot to ask . You’re not a Android user are you ? 🙄

Edited October 26, 2022 by pocster

[Radian]

7 minutes ago, pocster said:

iPhone X . So relatively new . SWMBO has an older model ( can’t check it ) which works also . I was more under the impression the node does the work rather than the phone . Just like outside and you roam between radio masts .

No, it needs cooperation at both ends of the link.

 

6 minutes ago, pocster said:

Forgot to ask . You’re not a Android user are you ? 🙄

Of course. But IEEE 802.11s isn't exclusive to Apple by any means. Just not so widely adopted.

[Pocster]

15 minutes ago, Radian said:

No, it needs cooperation at both ends of the link.

 

Of course. But IEEE 802.11s isn't exclusive to Apple by any means. Just not so widely adopted.

Your phone ain’t gonna work !

[SteamyTea]

12 hours ago, pocster said:

That predates Symbian

 

 

[Pocster]

12 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

That predates Symbian

 

 

And it still won’t connect to the mesh network. I assume this is the standard phone in Cornwall?

[MikeSharp01]

19 hours ago, pocster said:

ASUS Zen

Which one?

[SteamyTea]

1 minute ago, pocster said:

And it still won’t connect to the mesh network. I assume this is the standard phone in Cornwall

The original home of telecommunications.

 

Porthcurno

Poldhu

Goonhilly

 

We have copper running all the way from Land's End to the Tamar, and beyond.

 

While Bristol still uses the cabin boys and Seaman Stains to blow your whistle.

 

[Pocster]

43 minutes ago, MikeSharp01 said:

Which one?

Ax6600 3 nodes