Any (budget) mesh devices with USB (ie turn usb HDD into a NAS like you can do with routers)
I currently have 2 old routers as AP to run USB for backup drives?
Any thoughts on why USB is not a common feature on the larger format devices?
Mesh Wi-Fi with USB
terry parker on 12/08/2023 - 07:50
Last edited 12/08/2023 - 10:46 by 1 other user
Last edited 12/08/2023 - 10:46 by 1 other user
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under 350. I've seen some over 600 with USB.
Was looking to simplify the number of items in network. But can't justify the price.
Genuinely surprised that this feature is lacking as I can't imagine its a high cost addition and the manufacturers don't sell NAS so its not like they are canabilising another part of their business.
A pair of Synology MR2200ac Wi-Fi 5 Mesh Router $370 Delivered @ Amazon AU or wait for a JB Hi-Fi deal on the Asus RT-AX58U Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router $150-$200 each.
Thanks.
Guess I was interested in the fact that the $157 triple pack Deco S7 (deal recently posted) has 3 ethernet ports and no USB.
Would be great if something like this had 2 ethernet and a USB3 port@terry parker: TP-Link Deco X73-DSL Wi-Fi 6 VDSL2 Modem/Router has 4 ethernet and a USB 3 port. It is well over at $349 for a 1-pack.
@Twix: thanks for the tip. This one hadn't popped up in searches.
USB3 port is a step up from my USB2 ports on my APs.
i had the same needs.
i ended up with an actual nas insteadyeah…
i have them too.
qnap sells a router that can be meshed, and the router itself is also a 2bay nas
Pretty awesome. But also $800+
Because most conventional mesh setups are kind of crummy. Grab a couple of ASUS routers when they're cheap and mesh them together instead. Or better, an AX86U might be powerful enough to cover most of the house already, repurpose one of your existing one as a WDS repeater, and grab a cheap AX55/AX56/AX58 when they drop down to $100 later and mesh it in.
"conventional mesh setups are kind of crummy." thanks for the feedback.
Currently have 3 wifi SSDs .. was hoping 1 SSD would be betterAX86U has both USB 3.2 Gen1 & USB 2.0
maybe this tech is "expensive" to add so only on high end products
The reality of it is that mesh is new-ish technology (at least on a consumer level), and most "all in one" mesh kit for home use are fairly low-specced and are just expensive because its new. Even the cheap as dirt entry level RT-AX56U has a USB-port, and you can expect similar specs in other brand's offering. ASUS's AI Mesh tech is the exact same thing that they use on their mesh kit, the only difference is that you're not paying a premium for having nice small compact matching routers that are underspecced for how much it cost.
There's also the RT-AX92, which is a tri-band router, so you can use the second 5ghz network as the mesh backbone. It comes with 2 USB ports, and is about $280 on Amazon, and is more compact than the cheaper (but much bigger) standard routers like the AX86U/etc…
You should probably start by scoping out your house and consider router placement first and foremost. Without an Ethernet backbone, Mesh relies on wireless, and the main router needs to be somewhere central with the satellite around it (star topology), too far away and your speed drops significantly.
Any thoughts on why USB is not a common feature on the larger format devices?
Because if you're spending big money on networking hardware you can probably afford to run a NAS instead of a crummy USB drive into router setup
$3k for home mesh?
What am I missing?https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/tp-link-be22000-tri-band-whol…
$2999
https://www.tp-link.com/au/home-networking/deco/deco-be85/At least the USB is USB3.0
Wifi 7 must be pricey stuffWifi 7 is completely brand new technology
What's your definition of budget?