Basic WiFi/Networking resource material wanted

[Joseph Murphy]

We are going from molasses slow satellite ( 3 MBPS ) to newly strung fiber optics in our rural area within a few weeks.

What resources, ( aside from reading various web sites WiFi router topics) would a rookie study to gain
an elementary understanding of WiFi and home networking so I can make an informed Router decision?

I am willing to buy an old fashioned but current WiFi basics textbook/manual , watch various video tutorials etc etc to accomplish this.

I might even prefer the written paper book option that includes understandable graphics so I can actually comprehend the basics of the subject and refer to it from time to time.

Eventually I want to graduate from about kindergarten to about 5 th Grade in this endeavor.

I do see basic netwook books available but would like a recommendation.

 

[satcomer]

It depends how big is your home? I ask because if you are in a large home then consider a mesh system!

 

[Joseph Murphy]

It depends how big is your home? I ask because if you are in a large home then consider a mesh system!

We have a single story , no basement , 40 year old 1200 sq foot brick home on a 1.5 acre lot.

We will have a shed built soon about 50 feet or so from the south end of the house and have a fire pit patio area about 50 feet from the north end. I would like the WiFi to extend to them if possible also.

Since the house is brick I have some unsubstantiated concerns about reaching these areas.

Thus I want to graduate to the 5th grade.

 

[robvas]

Honestly just buy some cat 5 cable and run a wifi AP on each side of the house. Use the same SSID and password, you'll seamlessly go between them.

 

[Joseph Murphy]

Honestly even though I can look up what a SSID is and how to use it, I need to start from the beginning to understand my options.

And frankly I am not sure when you say run a WiFi AP on each end of the house what that really means and if all routers can be extended and if so are there different ways of doing it.

Also I thought CAT 5 cable was not the right version for Fiber Optics.

I know I know just bits and pieces and want a solid understanding of basic networking and routers before I spend my money.

So I guess I am a classic example that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

 

[satcomer]

For less than $300 you can gave a 10g setup!

 

[Juicy Box]

I would like to help, but I am having trouble understanding exactly what you want to learn.

Also, what are you trying to accomplish? Like, what is your actual networking goal?

Also I thought CAT 5 cable was not the right version for Fiber Optics.

Your ISP will most likely have a Optical Network Terminal that converts the fiber into either coax, ethernet, or both.

The appropriate category of cable all depends on your networking goals and your internet speed.

CAT5 isn't really used anymore, and even CAT5e is being phased out, but CAT5e can handle really fast transfer speeds.

CAT5e is rated up to 1000Mbps for up to about 300 feet of a single run. It can actually get faster link speeds, even 10Gbps on short runs.

If I was running cable around my home, I would probably use a newer standard.

But, you may not even need to run any ethernet cable depending on your networking goals.

want a solid understanding of basic networking and routers before I spend my money.

Usually ISPs have recommendations and sometimes requirements for equipments. What is the ISP?

If you have them set up everything, you wouldn't have to do anything.

What resources, ( aside from reading various web sites WiFi router topics) would a rookie study to gain
an elementary understanding of WiFi and home networking so I can make an informed Router decision?

I think google would be a good resource for your questions, as there are many guides, how-tos, and general information for the laymen available there.

Not saying MR would be a good resource, but I think the forum is better for specific questions than a broad overview of modern networking.l

 

[dannyyankou]

So I need some help. My AirPort Extreme is fried, so we’re looking for a replacement. What’s a good replacement? Nothing crazy, I just want something to add to our existing network, which has a few other airport extremes. Eero looks like a good option. Also, how to I add the new router to my existing network? Explain it to me like I’m 5.

 

[Juicy Box]

So I need some help. My AirPort Extreme is fried, so we’re looking for a replacement. What’s a good replacement? Nothing crazy, I just want something to add to our existing network, which has a few other airport extremes.

I few weeks ago, I responded to someone asking about Mesh Wifi Systems, telling my story where I thought my AirPort Extreme, the last generation made (6th), was starting to fail, but it turns out it was a over saturation of the 2.4GHz band.


I am just going to quote myself from the other thread, but a short version is that I was I was having terrible slowdowns sometimes on my AirPort Extreme network.

Normally, I would troubleshoot, but I decided to try something new and better over my aging AirPort network.

I got an expensive, popular, and highly rated option, the 3-node Linksys Velope Triband Mesh System.

It had the same exact problems as the AirPort (2.4GHz band slowdowns), but with the new Mesh system came new networking problems that couldn't be fix even with many hours with the higher tier Linksys Tech Support.

I returned the Linksys to Best Buy, put set my AirPort Extreme back up, but this time, put all my devices on the 5GHz band, with the exception of devices that could only do 2.4GHz.

After testing the Linksys for hours and hours, I decided to test the AirPort the same way, and found out that all over my home, the AirPort had higher transfer speeds.

I have since bought another 6th gen AirPort Extreme on eBay to expand my network for the fraction of the price of the Mesh System, and I have been very happy.


Here is the quote from the other thread with the details of the problems of the Mesh System:

I have used been using Apple AirPort for almost 20 years, and have enjoyed them for the most part.

Sometimes last year, I started to have some Wifi issues on the 2.4GHz band, and figured that my aging 6th Gen AirPort Extreme (lastest gen) might be due for a replacement.

Normally I would troubleshoot, but in this case, I figured my AirPort was about to go, maybe I would try a Mesh Wifi system that I kept reading about, and maybe it was time to move on from Apple's legacy network equipment.

There was one thing in particular that I was looking forward to with the mesh wifi, that was the seamless band switching and seamless roaming feature, as I would put a node near where I park my car enabling me to have good signal when sitting in my car getting ready for my morning commute. With the AirPort, I would have signal, but it wasn't good where was car was at.

I bought the expensive Linksys Velop Tri-band 3-node system:

Velop Mesh WiFi System, Homekit Router, 3-Pack (White) | Linksys | Linksys: US

Enjoy full-strength WiFi in every room of your home with the Velop Mesh Wifi System. Homekit-enabled. 3-Year Limited Warranty. Free ground shipping on US orders.

www.linksys.com

At first, I was mildly impressed with it, but then I started having a few issues, mainly with periodic slowdown. The seamless band switching didn't seem to work either. As it would sometimes switch my stationary laptop from the faster 5GHz band to the slower 2.4GHz band, even though I was only a few feet from the parent node.

Another thing that was a disappointment was the seamless roaming, as it wasn't seamless. I would sit in my car and the internet didn't work, even though I was just about 20 feet from a node. I found out that my iPhone was still connected to my bedroom node, which was on the other side of the house.

I looked up solutions for the seamless roaming problem, and the support page said to turn of Wifi on the iPhone and turn it back on. It worked, but it wasn't what I considered "seamless".

As for switching to 2.4GHz band, and the slowdowns, I finally did some troubleshooting, and it turns out that the 2.4GHz band issues on both the AirPort and Linksys was because of over saturation of the band in my area.

I split the bands on the Mesh system, and kept most things on the 5Ghz band, but some of my devices will only connect to the 2.4GHz band.

I tried doing the channel finder, but the connection speed on 2.4GHz was still erratic. I talked to Linksys tech support and the higher tier tech support for many hours, trying things, testing, but in the end, there was not an improvement.

I ended up returning the Mesh system a few days before the return period ended, thinking I would try something else.

I went back to using my AirPort Extreme, but this time put almost everything on the 5GHz band, and I was surprised that the transfer speeds were actually much better on the aging AirPort than the new, updated tech Mesh system.

I then decided to get another AirPort Extreme for a fraction of the price of the Linksys Velop, and hardwire it into the network. I moved it close to my parking spot, and everything has been fine.

The 2.4GHz band still sucks, but the performance was actually better on the AirPort than the new Linksys.

I am unsure of what you will make of my story, but I guess what I am trying to say is that just because it is new, has great reviews, and expensive, doesn't mean it will be as good as your current setup.

 

[dannyyankou]

I few weeks ago, I responded to someone asking about Mesh Wifi Systems, telling my story where I thought my AirPort Extreme, the last generation made (6th), was starting to fail, but it turns out it was a over saturation of the 2.4GHz band.


I am just going to quote myself from the other thread, but a short version is that I was I was having terrible slowdowns sometimes on my AirPort Extreme network.

Normally, I would troubleshoot, but I decided to try something new and better over my aging AirPort network.

I got an expensive, popular, and highly rated option, the 3-node Linksys Velope Triband Mesh System.

It had the same exact problems as the AirPort (2.4GHz band slowdowns), but with the new Mesh system came new networking problems that couldn't be fix even with many hours with the higher tier Linksys Tech Support.

I returned the Linksys to Best Buy, put set my AirPort Extreme back up, but this time, put all my devices on the 5GHz band, with the exception of devices that could only do 2.4GHz.

After testing the Linksys for hours and hours, I decided to test the AirPort the same way, and found out that all over my home, the AirPort had higher transfer speeds.

I have since bought another 6th gen AirPort Extreme on eBay to expand my network for the fraction of the price of the Mesh System, and I have been very happy.


Here is the quote from the other thread with the details of the problems of the Mesh System:

I appreciate the reply. However, there’s no 2.4 or 5ghz option that show up for me, we had a professional set up our network and had us name it, and that name is all that comes up.

Also let me be more specific about the problems we’re having. We’re not really getting slowdowns. We’re consistently getting 80mbps speeds, which is the maximum our plan allows. What would happen is that the Airport would suddenly stop working. The green light would still be on, but couldn’t be found in airport utility. If I unplug it and plug it back in, it works perfectly, but this is happening once a day, sometimes twice. I looked around online and others said to replace the router in this situation.

 

[Juicy Box]

I appreciate the reply. However, there’s no 2.4 or 5ghz option that show up for me, we had a professional set up our network and had us name it, and that name is all that comes up.

Also let me be more specific about the problems we’re having. We’re not really getting slowdowns. We’re consistently getting 80mbps speeds, which is the maximum our plan allows. What would happen is that the Airport would suddenly stop working. The green light would still be on, but couldn’t be found in airport utility. If I unplug it and plug it back in, it works perfectly, but this is happening once a day, sometimes twice. I looked around online and others said to replace the router in this situation.

What AirPort Extreme generation or model number do you have?

If you were looking to troubleshoot your AirPort, I would suggest posting a new thread, although knowing this forum there will be a bunch of responses suggesting just getting a new network solution, like the Mesh Systems.

That could be a good option for you, especially if troubleshooting isn't really your thing.

Usually I like to use old equipment until it doesn't fit my needs anymore or just stops working, but in the case of trying the Mesh System, I thought I would see a significant improvement over my AirPort, but that was not the case. I should have just tried to troubleshoot the AirPort, saving me a bunch of time messing with the Linksys.

I would do a factory reset, that could fix your issues. If not, there are some other things to do.

BTW, I definitely am not saying that your AirPort is fine, and/or a newer system wouldn't give you better results. This was just the case for me.

I looked around online and others said to replace the router in this situation.

I am not surprised at all, as that tends to be a popular response in many threads describing problems with devices that are more than 5 years old.

Network equipment is relatively cheap so it isn't that big of a deal, but I am surprised when people suggest buying a new Mac in threads describing slow HDDs symptoms on an old Mac that could be easily remedied by an external SSD. Yeah, spend thousands of $$$$ for a new Mac, when $100 fix would be adequate.

For you, buying something new could be the best option.

Also, how to I add the new router to my existing network? Explain it to me like I’m 5.

The newer systems are really user friendly and have apps to walk you step by step to replace your old system with something new.

 

[2984839]

Honestly even though I can look up what a SSID is and how to use it, I need to start from the beginning to understand my options.

And frankly I am not sure when you say run a WiFi AP on each end of the house what that really means and if all routers can be extended and if so are there different ways of doing it.

Also I thought CAT 5 cable was not the right version for Fiber Optics.

I know I know just bits and pieces and want a solid understanding of basic networking and routers before I spend my money.

So I guess I am a classic example that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Cat 5e and fiber optic cables are different technologies.

All data is in binary form, at the most basic level. The smallest level of data is a bit, which is either set to 1 or 0. 8 bits makes a byte. 1024 of those makes a kilobyte, 1024 kilobytes is a megabyte, etc. When you compose an email, or try to watch a YouTube video, the data comprising that email or video is encoded into bits.

To send data to another computer, you need some physical way of representing binary ones and zeroes so the receiving computer knows what those bits are. The way you translate the data into a physical form is called "modulation". You are already familiar with this if you have seen AM or FM on a radio. Amplitude modulation (AM) uses changes in the amplitude of a radio wave as its representation of the data. The receiver knows this, and by detecting these changes in amplitude of the signal it receives, is able to jot down the data that was sent. This process of receiving the physical signal and translating it back into the data that was originally sent is called demodulation, because it works in reverse. Frequency modulation (FM) also uses radio waves to represent data, but does so by altering the frequency of the radio waves rather than the amplitude. There are many types of modulation and figuring out which methods work best for specific physical mediums is a science unto itself.

It turns out that light is a really good way to transmit data. It's fast, obviously. It doesn't suffer from electromagnetic interference. It's efficient. It's also reliable. So the current "best way" to push data around is through fiber optic cables. When the internet service provider installs a fiber optic cable to your house, it is connected to a device called an "optical network terminal". The other term for it is a "modem" which is short for "modulator-demodulator". Binary ones and zeroes transmitted over fiber optic lines are represented by pulses of light. The modem demodulates (translates) the light pulses into electrical signals that can be used by standard copper ethernet cables. Most commonly the ONT modem will have an RJ-45 ethernet port on it for this purpose. When you are sending data out through your network, the modem will demoduate it from the electrical impulses over the copper ethernet wire, then modulate it into the correct light pulses to send over the fiber optic cables.

 

[chabig]

Eero looks like a good option.

Eero's are nice, but they are from Amazon. So if you don't trust Amazon seeing all of your network traffic, I'd suggest another brand. An internet search will provide many alternatives. I like my Amplifi router.

 

[Joseph Murphy]

I would like to help, but I am having trouble understanding exactly what you want to learn.

Also, what are you trying to accomplish? Like, what is your actual networking goal?


Your ISP will most likely have a Optical Network Terminal that converts the fiber into either coax, ethernet, or both.

The appropriate category of cable all depends on your networking goals and your internet speed.

CAT5 isn't really used anymore, and even CAT5e is being phased out, but CAT5e can handle really fast transfer speeds.

CAT5e is rated up to 1000Mbps for up to about 300 feet of a single run. It can actually get faster link speeds, even 10Gbps on short runs.

If I was running cable around my home, I would probably use a newer standard.

But, you may not even need to run any ethernet cable depending on your networking goals.


Usually ISPs have recommendations and sometimes requirements for equipments. What is the ISP?

If you have them set up everything, you wouldn't have to do anything.




I think google would be a good resource for your questions, as there are many guides, how-tos, and general information for the laymen available there.

Not saying MR would be a good resource, but I think the forum is better for specific questions than a broad overview of modern networking.l

Thanks for your help.

I don’t just want to install a good router and have it work.

I want to be an informed buyer AND user of the system

So my actual network goals are pretty much like many people may want:

A. Stable and Excellent WiFI coverage and speed
B. System Flexibility/Upgradability options
C. System “Future Proofing “ if possible
D. System Security
E. System Simplicity vs System Complexity considerations
F. Cost/Benefit considerations
G. System maintenance/ tweaking considerations

My ISP will be Cincinnati Bell.

 

[Juicy Box]

Okay, I have a better idea of what you want.

Basically I guess I want a recommendation on a Network Basic for Dummies type of book. There are lots out there, I know, but if someone as used a particular one I would be interested in hearing which one that is.

I can't help you there, as I rarely get books to learn this kind of stuff.

I like books for historical topics, entertainment, things that rarely change, etc. but not for current technology. With technology ever changing, by the time a book about it is published it could be outdated.

Certain things will remain the same, such as network history and theory, but the important stuff like common practices, I would want up to date info on this.

I would recommend reading various websites on network and Wifi router topics.....

What resources, ( aside from reading various web sites WiFi router topics) would a rookie study to gain
an elementary understanding of WiFi and home networking so I can make an informed Router decision?

Why not use the greatest education tool every created, the internet?

If you are looking for networking basics, you really don't need a book imo, YouTube and reading various websites about networking basics would be an up to date, cheap, easy, and quick way to learn about networks.


Although, I also understand that the best way for me to learn could be very different than the best way for you to learn.

Hopefully someone else has a recommendation.