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Wireless Access Points vs Mesh system
Posted on 4/17/21 at 4:59 pm
Posted on 4/17/21 at 4:59 pm
I’m building a new home and have pre wired for access point across the home. The installer is recommending Ubiquiti access points and a Ubiquiti POE switch. I’d prefer to do this myself. Is it as simple as connecting the access points to the switch and the switch to the router? I assume I can get it to run all under the same WiFi name?
Or is a mesh system the way to go?
Or is a mesh system the way to go?
4
Posted on 4/17/21 at 5:23 pm to HurricaneDunc
New construction, I'd wire for access points and go with ubiquiti. Not hard at all to set up yourself if you want them to just run wire
Posted on 4/17/21 at 5:48 pm to HurricaneDunc
I agree with your installer's recommendations
Since it's a new home run PoE to access points. It will be more reliable
Since it's a new home run PoE to access points. It will be more reliable
Posted on 4/17/21 at 7:07 pm to efrad
And should it work the same as mesh - as in one seamless wireless network?
I assume there’s nothing complicated about the setup?
I assume there’s nothing complicated about the setup?
Posted on 4/17/21 at 7:27 pm to HurricaneDunc
The way my access points work is they all have an SSID. By default these will all be different names. I name them all the same thing in my house, and my devices only see 1 of the names and just hop to whichever access point gives them the best connection.
Posted on 4/17/21 at 8:33 pm to HurricaneDunc
quote:Excellent.
I’m building a new home and have pre wired for access point across the home.
quote:Many satisfied users.
The installer is recommending Ubiquiti access points and a Ubiquiti POE switch.
quote:Yep. Also, I don't think it's absolutely required, but I would recommend setting up your access points by installing the UniFi controller software on a PC. You can probably do it via their mobile app, but the PC software makes it easier to manage multiple devices.
I’d prefer to do this myself. Is it as simple as connecting the access points to the switch and the switch to the router?
quote:This is usually preferred, though the UniFi gear gives you a lot of configuration options in this area.
I assume I can get it to run all under the same WiFi name?
quote:The only reason to use a mesh system is if you can't or don't want to run wires to your access points. The only thing that "mesh" really means is that the access points connect to each other wirelessly instead of wired. Wired is preferred.
Or is a mesh system the way to go?
Posted on 4/18/21 at 8:57 am to LSU Jonno
quote:
I name them all the same thing in my house, and my devices only see 1 of the names and just hop to whichever access point gives them the best connection.
...only if they are all on the same mesh or system with a controller. There is no handoff if they are separate devices, nor will your phone or whatever pick the best connection. It will stay connected to whichever one it first connected to even if it is the worst signal. Only systems that allow the APs to talk to each other will do true handoffs.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 9:34 am to Korkstand
Crazy helpful - thank you!
And I suppose I just need a great modem/router now. Of course the WiFi it puts out won’t matter if I’m using all the access points instead.
And I suppose I just need a great modem/router now. Of course the WiFi it puts out won’t matter if I’m using all the access points instead.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 10:48 am to HurricaneDunc
quote:
And I suppose I just need a great modem/router now. Of course the WiFi it puts out won’t matter if I’m using all the access points instead.
Right,
Just need a modem but most of the time your provider sends a combo out and you can just ignore it's wifi.
I got a couple UI APs up and running and installed their controller on an old mac to get them all to work right to begin with and it was easy as shite.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 3:28 pm to s14suspense
quote:I would turn it off rather than ignore it to avoid interference.
Just need a modem but most of the time your provider sends a combo out and you can just ignore it's wifi.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 5:44 pm to s14suspense
Should I go WiFi 6? They must have a supply chain issue because they’re out of stock everywhere.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 6:31 pm to Korkstand
If I knew how to turn it off I would.
No harm in going WiFi 6 but I doubt it’s really important anytime soon.
No harm in going WiFi 6 but I doubt it’s really important anytime soon.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 8:43 pm to HurricaneDunc
quote:
Should I go WiFi 6? They must have a supply chain issue because they’re out of stock everywhere.
Ubiquiti just got the U6 Lite back in stock. I just got 2 of them and plan on installing tomorrow along with a new dream machine. tired of crap wifi coverage from ATT Pace router.
Posted on 4/18/21 at 9:05 pm to tes fou
Their website seems to indicate you need the dream machine and a switch. I’m clearly just ignorant. Why is this?
Posted on 4/18/21 at 9:39 pm to HurricaneDunc
quote:That's marketing material, you don't need any other Ubiquiti gear to use their access points. It does all work quite well together, though. The Dream Machine is one of their routers. You can use it by itself like the router your ISP might supply or any other one you might buy. It is a wifi access point, router, firewall, etc. It also runs the controller software I mentioned earlier so you wouldn't need to install it on a PC. You can use any brand PoE switch you want to run your other access points, but if you use a Ubiquiti switch then you get a lot more control and options in the controller app. Most home users wouldn't use all that, but it is quite nice.
Their website seems to indicate you need the dream machine and a switch. I’m clearly just ignorant. Why is this?
Posted on 4/18/21 at 10:30 pm to Korkstand
quote:
That's marketing material, you don't need any other Ubiquiti gear to use their access points
+1
If you want a couple access points, basically anything they sell is fine for you.
If you’re considering some of their other product lines or are a nerd that likes to play around with tech stuff, some of their new gear does require a Wifi 6 AP (the new multi-sensor in particular). It is almost definitely not worth buying the newest standard in terms of how much benefit you get. They will almost definitely not launch and maintain enough home security stuff to make you regret not buying wifi 6. They don’t currently offer enough products to buy into that ecosystem now (the aforementioned sensor...I haven’t seen it in stock since it was announced, and I check almost daily). Even if you eventually wanted to buy into their more complete ecosystem that doesn’t currently exist yet, they just require a single wifi 6 access point, so you may eventually upgrade one if the benefit presents itself.
TLDR- same price, buy 6. Significant savings on AC model? Will be fine for you provided your “house” isn’t something like that “dorm” on LSU’s campus that services 90,000+ people
This post was edited on 4/18/21 at 10:42 pm
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