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Business class AP vs whole home mesh units
Posted on 3/15/22 at 9:30 am
Posted on 3/15/22 at 9:30 am
I am trying to update a neighbor's home wifi and keep it simple.
Their current setup is a WiFi 6 router in the basement of a 2-story house (3 total levels) and it can get a decent signal to the upstairs but there are ducts and sheet metal returns that make some parts of the upper levels get poor signal. They want to save money by getting rid of the ISP router and use their own. I dont know much about business class APs and found the research a bit confusing but here are the 2 options I think they are most interested in:
1) Put a business class WiFi 6 ceiling mounted AP in the upstairs hallway (ethernet backhaul) and use an old router for routing/hardwire connections only. Are coverages from these business class APs (netgear, Tp-link, Unifi, etc.) better than traditional WiFi routers? I have never used one. Do these units require WiFi controllers or can they run on their own? I thought a controller would not be necessary with a single AP but the manufacturer sites aren't very clear on this.
2) The super simple route would be to buy one of those "whole home mesh" 2-packs where you get two smaller router/AP devices that appear to be the same device but will auto negotiate with each other and provide seamless transitions. One would go in the basement and one would go in an upstairs bedroom using ethernet backhaul.
It seems option 1 would cost about $100 (unless a controller is needed) and option 2 would be between $100-150.
I think they really like the idea of PoE AP in the hallway to keep less clutter in a bedroom but I know nothing about business class APs.
Their current setup is a WiFi 6 router in the basement of a 2-story house (3 total levels) and it can get a decent signal to the upstairs but there are ducts and sheet metal returns that make some parts of the upper levels get poor signal. They want to save money by getting rid of the ISP router and use their own. I dont know much about business class APs and found the research a bit confusing but here are the 2 options I think they are most interested in:
1) Put a business class WiFi 6 ceiling mounted AP in the upstairs hallway (ethernet backhaul) and use an old router for routing/hardwire connections only. Are coverages from these business class APs (netgear, Tp-link, Unifi, etc.) better than traditional WiFi routers? I have never used one. Do these units require WiFi controllers or can they run on their own? I thought a controller would not be necessary with a single AP but the manufacturer sites aren't very clear on this.
2) The super simple route would be to buy one of those "whole home mesh" 2-packs where you get two smaller router/AP devices that appear to be the same device but will auto negotiate with each other and provide seamless transitions. One would go in the basement and one would go in an upstairs bedroom using ethernet backhaul.
It seems option 1 would cost about $100 (unless a controller is needed) and option 2 would be between $100-150.
I think they really like the idea of PoE AP in the hallway to keep less clutter in a bedroom but I know nothing about business class APs.
3
Posted on 3/15/22 at 9:48 am to notsince98
Mine aren't WiFi 6, but I've been using Unifi APs for a few years now. They aren't plug n play like I assume most mesh systems are, but the coverage is rock solid. You will either need a software controller to adopt and manage the devices, or you can use a hardware cloud key. I have them connected to a PoE switch sitting in my attic
Posted on 3/15/22 at 9:55 am to Vrai
quote:
You will either need a software controller to adopt and manage the devices, or you can use a hardware cloud key. I have them connected to a PoE switch sitting in my attic
Even with a single AP?
Posted on 3/15/22 at 10:08 am to notsince98
It's been possible in the past, and I believe it is still possible, to set up UniFi APs without a controller using only the mobile app.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 10:09 am to notsince98
Yes, there is a phone app that can be used to initially adopt the devices. controller gives you a ton more info about your devices, network, but if they aren't nerds it probably isn't necessary. There is also the unified security gateway that can be used as the router/firewall.
Modem connects to gateway, gateway connects to switch, APs connect to switch.
Modem connects to gateway, gateway connects to switch, APs connect to switch.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 10:41 am to notsince98
Ubiquiti and TP-Link just need the controller software installed on a device on the local network (if you dont want to by a dedicated device). It doesn’t have to be running full time, could be accessed just to make any changes or view advanced settings/analytics
Posted on 3/15/22 at 10:43 am to notsince98
You actually don't even need a controller, but you'd lose a decent bit of management features.
As long as you have a computer to load the controller for initial setup, you won't need it again
As long as you have a computer to load the controller for initial setup, you won't need it again
Posted on 3/15/22 at 10:56 am to BabySam
quote:
Ubiquiti and TP-Link just need the controller software installed on a device on the local network (if you dont want to by a dedicated device). It doesn’t have to be running full time, could be accessed just to make any changes or view advanced settings/analytics
Thank you for that. Will they work with any router? I had assumed so since the controller can be an app or PC software and not part of the router.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 11:01 am to bluebarracuda
Thank you for that. Any experience with WiFi coverage of business class APs? Do they just handle more devices better than home products or do they have better coverage/range too?
EDIT: I think right now if they went AP route, The TP-Link Omada looks very nice, simple and a good value. It also has a nice VPN/router that can be added later if desired. So it would be $100 for the AP or more for two home mesh units like the TP-Link Deco.
EDIT: I think right now if they went AP route, The TP-Link Omada looks very nice, simple and a good value. It also has a nice VPN/router that can be added later if desired. So it would be $100 for the AP or more for two home mesh units like the TP-Link Deco.
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 11:04 am
Posted on 3/15/22 at 11:17 am to notsince98
We just installed 4 of the TP-Link Omada business class APs at one of our main offices for our company. They are holding up really well and the software controller that it comes with is pretty amazing and packed with features.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 12:18 pm to PelsForLife
The TP-link omada AP does not require the controller. You can set it up through the device webpage. Supports multiple SSID and vlan configurations through the webpage. I switched from ubiquiti to TP-Link because of this.
The VPN/router is equivalent to the edge router x from ubiquiti.
The VPN/router is equivalent to the edge router x from ubiquiti.
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 12:20 pm
Posted on 3/15/22 at 1:18 pm to mchias1
quote:
The TP-link omada AP does not require the controller. You can set it up through the device webpage. Supports multiple SSID and vlan configurations through the webpage. I switched from ubiquiti to TP-Link because of this.
The VPN/router is equivalent to the edge router x from ubiquiti.
if you add a 2nd Omada AP, can they coordinate directly with each other after installation or do you need a 24/7 running controller software somewhere to handle all the 802.11r handoffs and such?
Posted on 3/15/22 at 1:51 pm to notsince98
From the datasheet the TP-Link supports .k and .v. Doesn't say they support .r.
I only have a single AP so never tested handoffs.
There's no mention you need the controller running to use that feature.
I only have a single AP so never tested handoffs.
There's no mention you need the controller running to use that feature.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:00 pm to notsince98
The handoffs work seamlessly. We have the Omada software controller installed on a local machine.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 8:22 pm to PelsForLife
I wouldn't touch this. Once you start working on peoples computer equipment you own all the issues. If you don't have experience with setup of Wifi networks and are attempting a business class solution you will do nothing but create a load of headaches for yourself. Have them hire a pro.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 8:58 pm to broadhead
quote:
I wouldn't touch this. Once you start working on peoples computer equipment you own all the issues. If you don't have experience with setup of Wifi networks and are attempting a business class solution you will do nothing but create a load of headaches for yourself. Have them hire a pro.
That is exactly why I would prefer to steer them to the TP-Link Deco 2-pack. Everything is plug and play but I told them i'd checkout the feasibility of a PoE ceiling mount AP. I think the single AP would be no big deal since no network controller is required. It would just be a matter of would the signal from upstairs be good enough in the basement.
Posted on 3/16/22 at 1:18 am to notsince98
One AP or many isn't a big deal really. The number of Lite AP's won't play too large a role in the config. If you want to go this route the Ubiquity equipment is pretty easy to setup and the controller exists in software on a computer.
What's the layout of this house? Is it wide with multiple floors?
What's the layout of this house? Is it wide with multiple floors?
Posted on 3/16/22 at 6:32 am to notsince98
Our tech guy for our business sent home a ubiquiti ap (not WiFi 6). Not sure what he did but he configured it so all I had to do was plug in into my WiFi gateway. I have really good coverage except for 1 ring camera outside the house. I’m gonna get him to do another and set it up on that side of the house.
We were having all kinds of connection issues before and it’s been rock solid. We have 36 devices in the house.
We were having all kinds of connection issues before and it’s been rock solid. We have 36 devices in the house.
This post was edited on 3/16/22 at 6:34 am
Posted on 3/16/22 at 9:02 am to broadhead
quote:
What's the layout of this house? Is it wide with multiple floors?
2 story with basement resulting in 3 levels total. The AP would be located in the ceiling of the hallway on the top floor. I would estimate each level is about 1.2k SQ ft and closer to a square shape than a long skinny rectangle.
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