Suggestion for Improving Internet Connection

Lsydneydealhunter on 09/11/2023 - 11:13
Last edited 09/11/2023 - 11:27 by 1 other user

I am using TPG 100/40 plan with Tplink Archer VR2100 and Kogan Mesh (which seems similar to Tenda Nova Mesh WiFi System MW3).

I am having a double storey brick house. The work office is located in the 1st floor while the modem / router is on the 2nd floor.

The connection speed seems terrible from time to time, simply for video conference call. I suspect the mesh is not doing a good job.

Would it help if I simply upgrade with a more expensive mesh system (i.e. TP link deco mesh or the Amazon mesh) or upgrade a system with more nodes?

Internet

Comments

  • Nugs on 09/11/2023 - 11:16
    +2

    Optus
    .

  • JimmyF on 09/11/2023 - 11:20

    The connection speed seems terrible from time to time, simply for video conference call. I suspect the mesh is not doing a good job.

    Is it ok if you are near the VR2100 connected to its WiFi? Are you sure its the mesh and not your TPG internet connection?

    Would it help if I simply upgrade with a more expensive mesh system (i.e. TP link deco mesh or the Amazon mesh) or upgrade a system with more nodes?

    A better mesh unit might help, but it will depend on the signal strength between the mesh units. If this is poor due to distance/objects in the middle, then it might not.

    Have you tried moving the mesh units closer together to see if that improves?

    Any option to move the router or drop a cable down to hard wire the mesh repeaters?

  • MS Paint on 09/11/2023 - 11:22
    +2

    Move the office closer to the router.

  • Pootie Tang on 09/11/2023 - 11:31

    Had this problem

    Ran a Lan cable to the most central part of the house which was upstairs and outside in an atrium. Removed the third node and have a reasonable line of sight with the upstairs node and downstairs node.

    What I learnt is more is not always merrier with mesh in a smaller house. Also double brick two storey

  • USER DC on 09/11/2023 - 11:47

    I would think of running an ethernet cat 6 cable from ground to 1st floor. then in each floor you can have multiple repeaters (of same wifi SSID and signals)

    • jv on 09/11/2023 - 11:57

      you can have multiple repeaters

      They are using mesh, not repeaters.

    • Ramrunner on 01/12/2023 - 08:48

      Not repeaters, just use Access Points.

      If they are wired you do not need to REPEAT any signal, Just simply wire in access points to give you wireless.

      Please never use repeaters (which are devices that REPEAT a wireless signal and halve your bandwidth).

  • jv on 09/11/2023 - 11:56

    The work office is located in the 1st floor while the modem / router is on the 2nd floor.

    You have mesh, add another node closer to your office…

  • Dollar General on 09/11/2023 - 11:58
    +7

    I would sell the house. Move to the country and eat a lot of peaches

  • Protractor on 09/11/2023 - 12:02
    +1

    Sign up with Optus

    • MITM on 09/11/2023 - 13:47
      +1

      Starlink

  • Morien on 09/11/2023 - 12:27
    +1

    From time to time?

    You need to figure out why it slows down at certain times.

    Is it when you turn the microwave on? (In other words, is it an internal issue, which you can potentially fix through upgrading your hardware)

    or is it during peak hour? (In other words, is it a network issue, which you can potentially fix through changing ISP)

    • mskeggs on 09/11/2023 - 13:18

      The router I have had a memory leak in the software (I presume) and throughput drops after a few weeks with no reboot.

      • Morien on 09/11/2023 - 16:44

        Are you needing some advice seperate to OP?

        Cheap solution is to schedule a reboot (if software allows it, and presuming you've already tried upgrading the firmware). Expensive solution depends on your house and needs. I always like Asus stuff, though.

        • mskeggs on 09/11/2023 - 17:41

          Thanks, I can manage, and scheduling a weekly reboot is the easiest.
          The router is still supported with updates, so I hope it will get fully fixed.

    • sydneydealhunter on 10/11/2023 - 01:40

      This is helpful! I will schedule daily reboot to see if it helps. I encounter the issue intermittently and randomly.

      Can it be an NBN issue (the connection from the street to my house)?

      • Morien on 14/11/2023 - 22:39

        Could be, but you'd need to isolate that.

        Try to leave something plugged directly in to the main mesh point with an ethernet cable. When you notice speeds are slow, do a speed test.

        If you aren't contracted, you can just try changing to a different provider for a no-cost (not quite) fuss-free test.

  • urahara on 09/11/2023 - 12:38

    Upgrade your connection first ..Try more telecom or get some other offers for the same price for a better speed.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/11/2023 - 13:13

    Can you get FTTH upgrade for free? If so you should do it.

  • RowanLucas on 09/11/2023 - 14:44
    +1

    Can consider using a powerline extension to run an ethernet cable to the mesh router upstairs, but as others have said, upgrading to fibre would be helpful as well.

  • ihfree on 09/11/2023 - 15:10
    +2

    Determine if your issue is wifi or internet related.

    A simple test may be running a speed test near your router and in your office.

    If it's wifi related, consider cabling or changing mesh node placement.

  • Sal in SA on 09/11/2023 - 16:36
    +2

    Do it right, do it once - run cables.

  • ColtNoir on 10/11/2023 - 08:19

    2 options I see that don’t involve moving your office closer to the router. Option one will give best results but is dependent on you owning and your house having the ability to run cable.

    1. Run Ethernet cables from primary router to upstairs and plug into a mesh router which has backhaul support (I think that’s the right term)

    2. Upgrade mesh system to a better system AND tri-band one. The tri-band allows the 3rd band to be used purely for comms between routers and won’t clog up the 2 regular bands used for the internet
      The best wireless coverage was Orbi about 2 years ago when I was researching options. I haven’t dug deep since all the wifi 6 ones.

    Orbi on sale at jbhifi.
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/netgear-orbi-ax4200-tri-b…

  • deandownunder on 10/11/2023 - 10:48

    Check your modem. I had a similar setup with Nova mesh and a modem supplied by my ( non Telstra) ISP. Tried everything and had no success until I tried a secondhand Telstra modem which immediately improved the signal all over the house

  • numloxx on 10/11/2023 - 14:49
    +1

    You need to test your internet speed with a computer plugged direct into your router, then compare it with wireless connection speeds around the house.
    If they are all similar (less than 100/40), then it's your internet connection. If your internet connection is close to 100/40, but your wireless are slow, then you know the answer.
    Use speedtest.net

  • Ramrunner on 01/12/2023 - 08:51

    You don't mention whether your own or rent.

    If own - get a cabler and start wiring things.

    If rent I understand things can get trickier but generally if you tell the landlord you are wiring the house with ethernet it actually improves value of the house so can stilll be OK.

    Also read other sugestions. Make sure you are testing speed plugged directly intothe router to determine this is not firstly an ISP issue. Testing via wireless is a rubbish test.

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