[RndTbl] Wifi recommendations

[Dan Keizer]

If you're up for a rebuild so to speak, you can look at the ubiquiti
line-up.
You can run their controller hardware (UDM/UDMpro) or host it yourself on
your own pc/linux/pi device.
(Personally, it's an appliance, I ran it on a pi for a while, then bought
the UDM, then bought the UDM pro - it just works). They keep on bringing
out new features for hardware/software, so it's dead simple.    Their
storefront for those:
https://ca.store.ui.com/ca/en?category=all-unifi-cloud-gateways
You can add access points as you see fit to fill in any weak/dead spots.

I have a UDMpro at home with separate switches for POE injection to the
access points in the house - yes, the more the merrier :-)
What I really like is just the networking console with visibility on all my
AP's and clients/etc.

Dan.

On Tue, 27 Feb 2024 at 04:53, Trevor Cordes <trevor at tecnopolis.ca> wrote:

> On 2024-02-26 Kevin McGregor wrote:
> > I have a Netgear Orbi mesh (1 base + 1 satellite) in my house. They're
> > about 6 years old and don't support Wifi 6 (802.11ax?).
> >
> > I've noticed that in my basement it works pretty well, but upstairs
> > the effective data rate drops off VERY quickly when I move away from
> > the router (satellite). I figure this is because of the large number
> > of wifi routers in my neighbourhood competing for the same bandwidth.
> >
> > Would upgrading to a Wifi 6-capable router help? Any other
> > suggestions?
>
> Your WAP / extender may have options to boost the signal (they may be
> set low due to "apartment friendly" defaults).  You can also look for
> options to change the channel, trying "weird" ones.  Or enable an
> auto-scan-and-pick-least-used-channel mode.
>
> If you're doing house wiring, ditch the extender and install a
> standalone WAP in its place.  Extenders have the massive problem of
> needing to have a clear channel for both extender-to-device *and*
> extender-to-base.  Thus your difficulty in finding free(er) channels is
> doubled!  A wired WAP solves this problem.  It won't be as "meshy" but
> if you put both WAPs into your devices (phones) on auto-connect,
> they'll just switch to whatever works if the other barfs out.  And you
> can scale to even more WAPs if you want.
>
> You can even do PoE to the WAPs with the right switch (expensive) or
> standalone injectors (cheapish!) and supported WAP (or cheap
> de-injectors!), if the desired location isn't close to power...
>
> Ironically, I find that as the Wifi specs get better, their ability to
> hold signal gets worse!  My best signal ever is still my G one I
> relegate my visitors onto... maybe all the wifi progressions are just a
> scam??!
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