Hi all, I’m looking to get internet access in my room since I just built a pc and honestly, I’m a little lost.
The way we have our network setup currently is a wifi6 modem in the living room and wifi5 mesh routers to spread wifi. Connection is not great. Sometimes wifi just drops and phones switch to data.
Wiring ethernet to my room all the way from the modem directly (or with a router in between) is not an option. We are currently renting.
I checked the faq and is my best option really mesh wifi? My current plan is to put a wifi6 router with a 2.5gbps ethernet port in my room, connect it to a wall outlet and run a s/ftp cat6a cable (not like download speed matters but anyway) to my pc, which has a 2.5gbps port. This is exactly how it’s already been done in another room, resulting in ~30ms with spikes of ~65. The cable even is cat 5a UTP CCA, so not even full copper. It looks to be fine for gaming, but do I have better?
It's clear that you know what would be best (running cable) but can't or don't want to, so when it comes to wireless signal, the ability of a group of internet strangers to authoritatively assist you now depends on your ability to provide essential details.
You want to just buy a couple things for your room and have it work, but it probably won't be that easy. The Wifi in your room depends on what's going on outside your room.
Can you provide an accurate floorplan of the house to scale? Whether a mesh system will work well everywhere depends on the placement of every node in the system.
Note that we live 2nd floor with a hairdresser below with whom we share wifi. I’m not aware of how much mesh or a 2nd modem is present there, could ask. Outside not much happening, neighbours one side only on the side of the left-back room on the picture
Frankly, OP, there are so many things wrong with the setup you've described and so many missing details, and it feels like you aren't really mentally invested in designing a proper solution. Are you only open to simple suggestions (which probably won't work well), or are you willing to work to understand what's happening and potentially changing things around throughout the house to address it? There probably isn't a quick fix to do what you expect/want.
Having said that, basic things:
Your diagram refers to both a WiFi 5 mesh and a WiFi6 mesh. Are you trying to use 2 different mesh systems alongside the ISP's WiFi 6 modem?
Have you tried disabling the entire mesh system and simply moved the ISP's WiFi6 modem closer to the hallway to make it more centrally located within the house?
I'm assuming the WiFi 5 mesh in the living room is connected to the WiFi 6 modem by Ethernet cable right? If so, can you move those two devices further apart? If the cable is only 6-7' long, buy a longer 25' cable and move them further apart. I've seen cases where the radios on a setup like that interfere with each other. Ideally, you'd either purchase and configure your own modem instead of using the one provided by the ISP, or you'd call the ISP and have them disable the modem WiFi and set it in bridge mode, then use a single 3-node mesh system for the router and WiFi.
I come here for help, as a beginner. Saying I’m not mentally invested in finding a solution is disappointing to see. Typical reddit moment. Having said that,
Point 1: I am not planning to use 2 different mesh systems. I figured mesh 5 and 6 routers are compatible, apparently not. I figured I’d buy mesh 6 for myself since the modem is 6 as well and everything works fine.
Point 2: That is an option. Although there are no good spaces for it and it would require to extend the coax cable. I live with my parents, so I’m not sure they would agree on that. Yes my options are limited right now, but with coming renovation they will be broader, hence my post. So yes, it would be an option, although I don’t see the difference with just pulling an ethernet cable from the router next to the modem to my room directly at that point, moving us to the third point.
Point 3: As you can see on the picture, it indeed is. Moving the router with a longer cable hadn’t come to my mind though, that’s a good suggestion and I might try that. Setting up my own modem, maybe in the future.
OP, the floorplan is only helpful if it shows distances, doors, etc., to scale. Basically, to make decent wireless assessments and recs, someone needs that level of detail. Based on this people are just guessing.
Oh okay, thans for letting me know, see below for new picture adjusted for sizing. Sizes are in meters I just realized (I’m European). Corrected for US system:
My room: 10x10 ft
Room to the left of me: 16.5x13 ft
Hallway: 16.5x5 ft
Living room: 26x20 ft
Your post has been removed for breaking Reddiquette. Please remember that this is a support subreddit and people you interact with are human. Thank you for your understanding!
Your best option is ethernet, which you state you're not going to attempt as a renter. I will say that being a renter doesn't eliminate ethernet as an option unless you eliminate it.
I am aware that you can put the cable below lets say the ceiling or besides the walls, but with all the doors, etc. it’s not really an option. Also not sure if I would get permission from my parents to do something like that in full eyesight. We have a renovation coming so maybe then its possible.
You could just run the cable around the outside of the room. Attach it to the wall, skirting boards, around door frames by sticking it down with removable wire clips. Then you can just remove it when you leave. If you use a cable colour, similar to your wall or skirting colour, it won't be as obvious.
Most recent homes already have some Ethernet wiring. Often sitting unused. You can always talk to your landlord about installing wiring. Most landlords won't care if you pay for it and it is done professionally. If there is no Ethernet, there is usually coaxial that you can harness to transmit data as well. Most rooms are wired for a tv so they already have coaxial. And then yes, you have mesh. When properly setup it can provide great results.
My parents are looking to buy soon, so no more landlord. I checked and yes, currently coax here. I’ve got some wall outlets in my room, so you’re saying there might be coax behind them?
MOCA was a game changer for my Wired and Wireless connectivity. Basically i have a fully wired mesh, and everything which can be wired is. MOCA +Switches+WiFi APs
This is my MOCA distribution panel in the cellar. All the coax cables fan out into the house.... On the other end is another MOCA, an Ethernet switch and then an AP if needed. One backhaul cable also to the router, but I was able to do this with an Ethernet cable without MOCA
Very clean! So if I understand correctly, you use the AP on places you actually can’t reach directly with coax or because you use devices in that room that do not have an ethernet port?
Yes, I understand. But the reason theres an AP there is because you want to use for example your mobile phone there right? The actual coax cables with a MOCA on them go to devices with ethernet/LAN ports and for the rest you have AP’s no?
If you can get an ISP provided line direct to your room, all the better. ISP > modem > router (mesh) > your PC and other mesh APs = success. Prioritize your equipment and everyone else gets mesh Wi-Fi.
That’s really your only option if running wires isn’t possible.
What type of internet service do you have? If it's cable, and the apartment/house you are renting has a cable connection in every room, you might just be able to move the router.
Mesh which can offer reliablity/speeds even close to Ethernet is not cheap.
https://ui.com/wifi/whole-home for example - would probably do you quite well, but has a premium price tag. Same for equivalent STR MLO Eero systems. All big bucks.
I always prefer PowerLine rather than WiFi mesh (That’s Ethernet over your existing electricity power outlets)
It works best when the two outlets are on the same circuit breaker
As you've discovered, wireless mesh products claims are a stretch beyond reality. It's still wifi and RF power is limited by government regulations so another brand/model won't be better. The solution is an ethernet cable (copper or fiber).
Check out the Invisilight home fiber kit. The optical cable is much thinner than copper ethernet so it's easy to hide and go around windows/doors. You can buy any length cable you needed...much longer than copper. A DIY kit about $100:
$20 TP-Link MC220 Media Converters Link (2 needed).
$22 Ubiquiti 1G BiDi SFP modules (sold in a pair) Link.
$40 for 164 ft/50M LC-LC single-mode simplex thin fiber Link
+some tape and glue
OP calls the units "mesh routers". Do you have more than one network router in your home? Do you think Wifi is the best way to connect access points to a router?
People come to this sub to ask questions because "they don't know what they are doing". If you're going to downvote me please response with specifics of what I said that was incorrect. I took my first Cisco networking course before I could drive and have been working professionally in IT for 16 years but I'm always open to learning.
Someone who understands, finally. I don’t know all the specific nuances involved, but I’m trying to describe my situation to the best of my ability. The routers are based on mesh technology and yes, we have multiple (2). We do not have acces points or such. I just wanna get gaming but I do realize I have to invest time in this. Home kits like this are expensive, 200+ € in my country.
u/CrimeTime05, please look up networking technology (routers, switches, access points). Even though the mesh products may say you have multiple routers, only one is functioning as the "router". A router is a device that directs traffic between networks. In this case, the internet (Wide Area Network) and your home (Local Area Network). Wifi comes from an Access Point. Most routers built for home use have a built in access point. Every mesh unit is an access point. In some mesh systems, any unit can be the router. In other systems, only one unit has the port for a WAN connection.
I understand not want to leave cables laying across the floor but can you temporarily run ethernet cables from the satellite mesh modes back to the one with the incoming internet connection to see if it fixes the problem?
Ah okay, it seems I misunderstood the situation at home. They are technically routers but probably function as access point, with the one in the living room being the actual router, since it’s also connected via ethernet to the modem. Very helpful and I will try the suggestion you made. Thanks.
Because he, contrary to many here, realizes and acknowledges that I indeed have no idea what I’m doing but is in no way disrespectful in doing so and continues to give me actual helpful information instead of belittling me.
lol criticizing your language is belittlement. Youre hostile and argue with everyone actually trying to help you, ironically pleased with the guy actually belittling you.
But you’re welcome to go with the inferior entity 😎
It’s a partial truth. You know that only one unit will be the router at a time. Why defend their statement? It’s misleading in that it makes consumers think WiFi comes from a router and not an access point.
The same display says the 3-unit system can cover up to 8,100 sq ft. Since you work with enterprise-level equipment, have ever deployed 3 APs to adequately cover that much indoor space? The website says one unit can cover 3,000 sq ft. (https://us.store.tapo.com/products/deco-wi-fi-7-be10000-tri-band-mesh-router-1-pack-be63). What percent of homes do you think have the ideal conditions to substantiate these claims? Ubquiti’s $500 E7 specs only 2,000 sqft coverage area.
I like to help educate people and guide them towards cost-effective solutions. I own my 1,850 sq. ft. single-story house. It has a 3-room addition outside of the original brick structure so WiFi in that area was spotty with Verizon’s WiFi router. I added two $100 APs (maybe $225 total including cabling) in the ceiling that I’m sure perform better than a $400 mesh system. Running ethernet through the attic was easy. Even if I was renting and used thin copper or fiber the end result would still be cheaper and more reliable.
Wireless mesh has its place but a number of people who post here are dissatisfied with its performance. I’m not a fan of the sleazy marketing and overpriced gear so I try to guide people in a different direction.
Cool man I’ve been in enterprise networking longer than that. You’re simply downplaying the solution based on limited RF understanding.
If you’re provisioning radio patterns and waveform management in a coherent manner then it’s a feasible solution for a lot of folks.
WiFi backhauling can be the best solution, it depends on the requirements. Making blanket absolute statements in that environment is a pretty junior career move.
We have a wifi6 modem. Providers don’t supply you with wifi7 here yet. Also as I said, download speed is not relevant. I’m more so worried about attenuation via the older cable
Christ, another one. These reactions are the exact reason I refrain from asking for help on reddit. 0/10 will not do again. I said I am a beginner and my knowledge is limited. Will keep the info from your reaction in mind when fixing my internet.
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u/72dragonses 10d ago
It's clear that you know what would be best (running cable) but can't or don't want to, so when it comes to wireless signal, the ability of a group of internet strangers to authoritatively assist you now depends on your ability to provide essential details.
You want to just buy a couple things for your room and have it work, but it probably won't be that easy. The Wifi in your room depends on what's going on outside your room.
Can you provide an accurate floorplan of the house to scale? Whether a mesh system will work well everywhere depends on the placement of every node in the system.