Individual Router + Mesh Wi-Fi Complement?

Pepperchicken on 25/08/2024 - 22:04
Last edited 25/08/2024 - 22:27 by 1 other user

Hey All,

Will be moving to a 5bed, 2 storey,~430sqm combined house soon with FTTP, and I am a rookie in this wifi network space, as I currently live in a 2bed apartment.
Looking at Choice reviews and some research :

Would it make sense to get an individual router (e.g. TP-Link Archer VR2800) in a central location of the house, and complement it with mesh network (E.g. TP-Link Deco/Eero)?
Or would a whole mesh network makes more sense?

Still learning about all these so any tips/advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

• 

  SBOB on 25/08/2024 - 22:07

  +2

  Being fttp, you don't need the TP-Link.
  The first mesh unit in the system is your WAN access point

• 

  Twix on 25/08/2024 - 22:24

  No you don't need the TP-Link Archer VR2800. Plugin a single TP-Link Deco router to the nbn NTD and spread the extra Deco's throughout the home. Swap the TP-Link Deco for the eero mesh router if you prefer.

• 

  FoxJump on 26/08/2024 - 02:11

  i have a glinet brume 2 router with a Deco xe75pro and a tplink 8port poe smart switch

  this way i get adguard home and a wire guard vpn server, and all the crazy vlan stuff i may want to do on ethernet ports and then vanilla wifi

  for example the security cameras only talk to the NVR and internet. and other devices in the house do not talk directly to the security cameras.

  with the brume+smart switch combo you can even (i think) assign ip address ranges per vlan.

• 

  davidtse916 on 26/08/2024 - 07:27

  +1

  Personally I'd go for the mesh only? The Deco X55 might be an affordable way to get started if you don't mind Wi-Fi 6 only. It can in theory cover 600m². Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-HomeShield-Deco-X55-3-Pack…

  • 

    freefall101 on 26/08/2024 - 10:39

    +1

    While there's no difference between the X55 and the XE75 except the 6ghz band, but IMO it's worth it when it's $440 from TGGC. Unless there's already ethernet in place, it gets around the backhaul issue. Personally I have backups and networked storage through the house though, so it made sense for me, would come down to circumstance otherwise.

    Also worth getting as big of a range as possible, nice to have access in the garden and such. Not that the XE75 is that much bigger range, but it is a little.

    • 

      davidtse916 on 26/08/2024 - 11:58

      Good point! $440 is a pretty good price from TGGC!

    • 

      Pepperchicken on 26/08/2024 - 16:03

      +1

      nice! just saw the $440 price in TGGC. Many thanks