Wi-Fi Mesh Help!

ozbrgnr on 13/01/2024 - 09:32
Last edited 13/01/2024 - 09:41 by 1 other user

Hi All

Need help with choosing the correct wifi mesh setup for my home.

The home is double brick single storey 3 bedroom with a detached garage, roughly 15m from the nbn box.

The existing setup is the generic Optus NBN modem (circa 2017) with separate SSIDs for 2 GHz and 5 GHz.

Now with the construction of a new garage as mentioned above, and the use of security cams, data requirements, 4k streaming etc, I think the wifi environment needs an uplift.

I have been looking at many mesh systems, and narrowing down to Asus Zenwifi XD6 or XT8. Reason being TP-Link does not do separate SSIDs for different bands which I require and Netgear are notorious with the limited parental controls.

I am not familiar with the Unifi/Amplifi range.

Current use case is 2 fulltime work from home setup, 2 4k TVs which often run simultaneously. Smart home with 30-40 IoT devices, 4K security system and a DAS.

Can the community please advise!!

• 

  oscargamer on 13/01/2024 - 10:01

  +1

  Why not use the tp link guest ssid as the second ssid?

  Get some m9plus units, that have a seperate wifi back haul… IMO

  • 

    AndyC1 on 13/01/2024 - 11:22

    Or there may me an IOT network are well. I have a guest and IOT network on mine.

    • 

      Kramo on 13/01/2024 - 14:26

      Randomly, the M9 doesn't support the IOT network, but the M5 does.

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  Domingo on 13/01/2024 - 10:05

  +1

  Have you considered getting ethernet cabling put in for the security cameras and backhaul for multiple access points rather than a mesh system?

  Mesh systems use wifi for backhaul between the nodes, so you may find your options of where to place them a bit limited to ensure backhaul speeds between them are sufficient. Access points with wired backhaul will give you a lot more flexibility and be more future proof, but cost a bit more to set up initially. If there is access into the roof space then running the cabling shouldn't be too much of an issue.

  • 

    AndyC1 on 13/01/2024 - 11:23

    The Optus modem still sucks.

    • 

      Domingo on 13/01/2024 - 11:33

      Nothing I said suggests that the Optus modem is good or needs to be retained. I suggested concepts that OP may wish to consider in selecting the approach to improve connectivity, agnostic of specific device choices.

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  FoxJump on 13/01/2024 - 10:14

  +1

  hi tplink deco user here
  you get FOUR ssids on the xe75
  main ssid for 2.4+5 ghz
  iot ssid for 2.4
  guest ssid for 2.4+5
  another ssid for 6ghz

  so . how many do you really want?

  • 

    mjae01 on 13/01/2024 - 12:41

    How did you set it up for iot?

    • 

      FoxJump on 13/01/2024 - 13:15

      erm.. i used the app. and put all my smart switches, printers and surveillance cameras into it

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  FoxJump on 13/01/2024 - 10:16

  also
  i use the glinet brume2 as router and deco as wifi ap
  i aint paying extra for tplink parental controls when i can do that on the brume2

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  Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/01/2024 - 10:25

  Reason being TP-Link does not do separate SSIDs for different bands

  Incorrect. The cheap stuff maybe, but the EAP range 100% has this.

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  odgregg on 13/01/2024 - 10:33

  I use Unifi gear and have the UDR and 3 APs (one is probably redundant now) and a few switches.

  I have two AC-Pro APs which are linked in mesh mode with the one on the outside of the house (under the eaves) on PoE and the one in the garage meshed to it. The garage is double brick but only about 5-8 metres away from the house. The garage AP is inside the garage so there is double brick between them.

  The mesh link runs at 975Mbps and seems to be very reliable. The garage AP is servicing two Reolink cameras running at high bit rate and a few IoT devices.

  Have been very happy with this setup, and although the AC-Pros are getting a bit old now they are still working wonderfully well. The third AP I have is a long range model, but that didn't seem to do as well in the garage so it's just inside the house providing some extra coverage now.

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  jakka on 13/01/2024 - 13:39

  I just got the TP link XE75 Pro, and would recommend it. As others mentioned you can get a seperate IOT SSID, it also features wired back haul so the units do not need to be so close together. I now get full speed internet in every corner of the house.