Home network question
Home network question
We’re going to be moving into a new residence that is 1600 sq ft bigger than our current home, and has an out building / shop about 40-50’ from the primary structure. I’m currently utilizing a dual band router and a WiFi extender to cover my current residence but know this isn’t the best solution. I want to add one or two WAP’s (looking at Ubiquiti) to create a mesh network to cover the property. Has anyone used WAP’s for their home WiFi solution? I’ve read, but have not confirmed, that I will have to disable the wireless on my current router to utilize the Ubiquiti.
I know there ar major tech players who have mesh network solutions, but given the area in question, and that I’m willing to run CAT 6a from a poe switch, I feel dedicated AP’s are my better solution? Am I wrong?
Thanks
I know there ar major tech players who have mesh network solutions, but given the area in question, and that I’m willing to run CAT 6a from a poe switch, I feel dedicated AP’s are my better solution? Am I wrong?
Thanks
Re: Home network question
If the out building has power connected back to a panel in your house, you might be able to use Powerline networking to jump from the house to the out building. I was able to do this to a shed in my back yard. I only did one quick test - need to see if I can set it up differently to increase the speed. If you have more than one panel (which is what I have) you want to make sure that the Powerline adaptors are on the same panel. Even better is having them on the same circuit but in my house, I have had good results (100mbs+) using powerline on different circuits that shared the same panel.
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Re: Home network question
Ideally, you would run a CAT 5e/6/6a whatever from your home to the shop.
Home: WiFi Router with built-in switch. Likely, you'll set this as your DHCP server for adding new wireless clients to your home subnet.
Shop: WiFi Router setup as a Wireless Access Point; disable DHCP. Basically, when you move phones/tablets/laptops/etc from your home to your shop, they should preferentially switch to your shop's Wireless Access Point since the signal will be stronger.
A lot of standard router firmware should be able to accommodate being turned into a Wireless Access Point. A lot of the over the counter solutions at Best Buy, Staples, etc. try to make what I described above easier for non-tech savvy ppl.
Home: WiFi Router with built-in switch. Likely, you'll set this as your DHCP server for adding new wireless clients to your home subnet.
Shop: WiFi Router setup as a Wireless Access Point; disable DHCP. Basically, when you move phones/tablets/laptops/etc from your home to your shop, they should preferentially switch to your shop's Wireless Access Point since the signal will be stronger.
A lot of standard router firmware should be able to accommodate being turned into a Wireless Access Point. A lot of the over the counter solutions at Best Buy, Staples, etc. try to make what I described above easier for non-tech savvy ppl.
Thank God for Wall Street Bets.
Re: Home network question
All other things equal:
Wired > wireless
I'm happy with my 2 Eeros which gets me the coverage I need in my 1996 pre-internet home plus the patio and attached garage. If I was building a new home I'd run 500 feet of cable including multiple WAPs, entertainment centers, and offices. One thing I like about the eero is that it auto-patches which is important these days with cyber vulnerabilities targeting routers.
Wired > wireless
I'm happy with my 2 Eeros which gets me the coverage I need in my 1996 pre-internet home plus the patio and attached garage. If I was building a new home I'd run 500 feet of cable including multiple WAPs, entertainment centers, and offices. One thing I like about the eero is that it auto-patches which is important these days with cyber vulnerabilities targeting routers.
Warning: I am about 80% satisficer (accepting of good enough) and 20% maximizer
Re: Home network question
I’ve used powerline blocks in the past, but haven’t been thrilled with the performance even when on the same circuit. PL would be my last option, as I know there’s not a common circuit between the shop and house. I’m fairly certain I could ensure circuits on a common bus.
Running a hard line between the residence and shop would be difficult, as the area between the buildings is paved. There’s currently no data in the shop, so an open raceway is more than likely out of the question. And pulling shielded data though a power conduit seems like too much work, if I can get WiFi or PL to work.
Running a hard line between the residence and shop would be difficult, as the area between the buildings is paved. There’s currently no data in the shop, so an open raceway is more than likely out of the question. And pulling shielded data though a power conduit seems like too much work, if I can get WiFi or PL to work.
Re: Home network question
I plan on hardwiring our tv’s and other devices that will be fixed and can accept CAT5,6, etcstan1 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2017 1:58 pm All other things equal:
Wired > wireless
I'm happy with my 2 Eeros which gets me the coverage I need in my 1996 pre-internet home plus the patio and attached garage. If I was building a new home I'd run 500 feet of cable including multiple WAPs, entertainment centers, and offices. One thing I like about the eero is that it auto-patches which is important these days with cyber vulnerabilities targeting routers.
Re: Home network question
Ubiquiti offers two different lines of WiFi products -- Unifi and Amplifi. Which are you considering?
I use Ubiquiti Unifi APs in my home. They are fantastic if you have the technical know-how and are willing to spend time to set up the system properly and keep it up to date. You do need to occasionally SSH into an AP to fix a problem (like the AP not adopting successfully, or a botched update -- very rare but it has happened to me). Updating software is a 2-step process -- you need to update the controller and then the controller pushes new software to the APs.
Keep in mind you don't really need "mesh" if all APs are connected to a wired network. If you set up two APs on the same SSID, with the same security settings, and separate channels, your devices will "roam" freely between the two APs. For 99% of cases, this is what you want. Mesh is more useful like your current scenario, where one of your APs (the extender) is not connected to the wired network.
I use Ubiquiti Unifi APs in my home. They are fantastic if you have the technical know-how and are willing to spend time to set up the system properly and keep it up to date. You do need to occasionally SSH into an AP to fix a problem (like the AP not adopting successfully, or a botched update -- very rare but it has happened to me). Updating software is a 2-step process -- you need to update the controller and then the controller pushes new software to the APs.
Keep in mind you don't really need "mesh" if all APs are connected to a wired network. If you set up two APs on the same SSID, with the same security settings, and separate channels, your devices will "roam" freely between the two APs. For 99% of cases, this is what you want. Mesh is more useful like your current scenario, where one of your APs (the extender) is not connected to the wired network.
Re: Home network question
If the main router supports VLANs will the APs also support them?mpsz wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2017 2:24 pm Keep in mind you don't really need "mesh" if all APs are connected to a wired network. If you set up two APs on the same SSID, with the same security settings, and separate channels, your devices will "roam" freely between the two APs. For 99% of cases, this is what you want. Mesh is more useful like your current scenario, where one of your APs (the extender) is not connected to the wired network.
Stay hydrated; don't sweat the small stuff
Re: Home network question
Yes, I was specifically referencing those APs. If they were hooked to a router from another manufacturer that supported VLANs (either natively or by installing an open source firmware).
Stay hydrated; don't sweat the small stuff
Re: Home network question
I’m sorry, looking at the Unifi’s.mpsz wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2017 2:24 pm Ubiquiti offers two different lines of WiFi products -- Unifi and Amplifi. Which are you considering?
I use Ubiquiti Unifi APs in my home. They are fantastic if you have the technical know-how and are willing to spend time to set up the system properly and keep it up to date. You do need to occasionally SSH into an AP to fix a problem (like the AP not adopting successfully, or a botched update -- very rare but it has happened to me). Updating software is a 2-step process -- you need to update the controller and then the controller pushes new software to the APs.
Keep in mind you don't really need "mesh" if all APs are connected to a wired network. If you set up two APs on the same SSID, with the same security settings, and separate channels, your devices will "roam" freely between the two APs. For 99% of cases, this is what you want. Mesh is more useful like your current scenario, where one of your APs (the extender) is not connected to the wired network.
I have some technical know how, and feel confident I can keep the system up to date. I would prefer all WiFi components to be hardwired to a switch, and not rely on signal extenders or non CAT medium, ie Powerline.
Re: Home network question
Then you really have no alternative other than to run an Ethernet cable to the remote building.
Stay hydrated; don't sweat the small stuff
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Re: Home network question
If you are going to run a cable, I might look at fiber optic vs ethernet. There are a number of benefits to fiber vs ethernet - especially if you are going to share electric conduit.
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Re: Home network question
Or, since it sounds like they ran a single conduit for the power feeder but no low voltage conduit, consider, if there's room, pulling fiber in the power conduit so as to avoid EM interference.
In your situation, I would probably favor pulling some form of wired uplink (CAT 6, fiber) between the 2 buildings. Or if that's not going to happen, look at Powerline. Mesh or wireless bridge would be my last resort.
In your situation, I would probably favor pulling some form of wired uplink (CAT 6, fiber) between the 2 buildings. Or if that's not going to happen, look at Powerline. Mesh or wireless bridge would be my last resort.
Re: Home network question
Dilbydog wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2017 3:24 pm+1. I set up a UniFi network with 5 switches and six APs earlier this year. I have been very impressed with this kit. Consider including a cloud key with your set up. It provides for excellent remote management including from iOS devices.mpsz wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2017 2:24 pm Ubiquiti offers two different lines of WiFi products -- Unifi and Amplifi. Which are you considering?
I use Ubiquiti Unifi APs in my home. They are fantastic if you have the technical know-how and are willing to spend time to set up the system properly and keep it up to date. You do need to occasionally SSH into an AP to fix a problem (like the AP not adopting successfully, or a botched update -- very rare but it has happened to me). Updating software is a 2-step process -- you need to update the controller and then the controller pushes new software to the APs.
Keep in mind you don't really need "mesh" if all APs are connected to a wired network. If you set up two APs on the same SSID, with the same security settings, and separate channels, your devices will "roam" freely between the two APs. For 99% of cases, this is what you want. Mesh is more useful like your current scenario, where one of your APs (the extender) is not connected to the wired network.
I’m sorry, looking at the Unifi’s.
I have some technical know how, and feel confident I can keep the system up to date. I would prefer all WiFi components to be hardwired to a switch, and not rely on signal extenders or non CAT medium, ie Powerline.
If your out-go is greater than your income, your upkeep will be your DOWNFALL.
Re: Home network question
It's possible that the outbuilding was already wired for a phone? If that was, by chance, run with cat5, and you don't need a phone out there, you can reterminate it, and run ethernet up to GigE no problem. If it's only Cat3, at 50 feet, 100M is likely to work, even though its not in spec, and its worth testing GigE too.
Re: Home network question
Thanks for the input everyone. Once I’m settled in, I’ll look for a data conduit or pull something shielded through the power conduit, assuming that power wasn’t direct buried.
Re: Home network question
If you have Orbi WiFi mesh with 3 stations is is rated at 7500 sq feet coverage. Normally it would cost about $500 but I see Costco is running on online special on them nov 23-27 for about $360.