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4sallypat

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2016
4,035
3,785
So Calif
Old Time Capsule has done a fantastic job with older AC tech but now most of my Apple stuff works with AX wireless.

Looking for:
3 or 4 station mesh network routers with each using wired LAN.

Can't use wireless to connect them all - there are too many low speed / low signal areas - have tried the single WAN: Google and TP Link.

Each of the areas have wired LAN ports all coming into my gigabit switch.

Is there such a mesh network that will take 3 or 4 wired LAN port routers for full speeds and then neatly allows users to switch seamlessly ?
 

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,340
4,727
Georgia
There isn’t much reason to spend extra on mesh if all the locations are wired. Just use multiple routers with the exact same SSID, Network Key and encryption method.

You just have one act as a router. The test have DHCP disabled and act as access points. Some have a simple to setup access point mode.

The main purpose of Mesh is to act as a better solution than repeaters for buildings which aren’t wired up with Ethernet.
 
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4sallypat

macrumors 601
Original poster
Sep 16, 2016
4,035
3,785
So Calif
There isn’t much reason to spend extra on mesh if all the locations are wired. Just use multiple routers with the exact same SSID, Network Key and encryption method.

You just have one act as a router. The test have DHCP disabled and act as access points. Some have a simple to setup access point mode.

The main purpose of Mesh is to act as a better solution than repeaters for buildings which aren’t wired up with Ethernet.
Yes, that makes sense!

How do I prevent "interference" of signals on the same frequencies from overlapping ?

Are there "smart" routers that will talk to other routers and operate on different frequencies to prevent cross signal saturation ?

The reason is that I am currently using hodge podge mix of different routers all on wired LAN using same SSID & key:
  • ISP supplied 5Ghz AC band +
  • Apple Time Capsule 5Ghz AC band +
  • TP Link AX band
The signals all interfere with each other depending on where the user is located. Sometimes the far away weak AX router will not let go and switch to a closer AC router.
 

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,340
4,727
Georgia
Yes, that makes sense!

How do I prevent "interference" of signals on the same frequencies from overlapping ?

Are there "smart" routers that will talk to other routers and operate on different frequencies to prevent cross signal saturation ?

The reason is that I am currently using hodge podge mix of different routers all on wired LAN using same SSID & key:
  • ISP supplied 5Ghz AC band +
  • Apple Time Capsule 5Ghz AC band +
  • TP Link AX band
The signals all interfere with each other depending on where the user is located. Sometimes the far away weak AX router will not let go and switch to a closer AC router.

I just set them on automatic for the radio and have never had an issue in my house or places of set a similar setup up.

However, devices won't jump on WiFi like you are expecting. It doesn't work like cell towers. My understanding handoff or roaming on WiFi is totally up to the client device. The network doesn't say jump to this AP. The device decides to. Because while you see the SSID 4sallypat when selecting your WiFi. Your device sees all of the access points using that SSID and selects the best. There's utilities which let you see them as separate entities, at least on Windows.

Unfortunately devices don't decide to do handoff very often. They'll dig in and stay on the same AP no matter how bad the signal is and won't switch until it can't see it anymore. This means you need to cycle the WiFi on/off on your phone or other device. Then it'll connect to the best signal again with the highest SSID priority (presumably your network is the highest not a neighbors). My understanding the issue is the same with Mesh.

This also means if you get something like a Ring camera. Mount it where you plan to use then connect it to your WiFi since they don't have a restart button. Otherwise you'll be dancing a router power cycle ballet to get those cameras connected to the right AP.

You also wan't to make sure the encryption type is exactly the same. If one is WPA2 and another is WPA/WPA2. It'll cause all sorts of issues. It needs to all be something like WPA2 AES.

On 2.4 you could manually set one to the lowest radio channel, one to the middle and one to the upper. 5.8Ghz has more options and really should be automatic. I also only allow AC devices on 5.8. Everything else is old and I pigeon hole them to 2.4. You could also give your 5.8 a different name so you are sure AC devices only try to connect to 5.8.

Do you have DHCP disabled on those meant to be used as access points? You don't want conflicts between multiple routers running DHCP or Double NAT. Those access point routers should be have their MAC Address reserved in your main router. So, you can find them with their web clients by IP address. Then the Ethernet plugged into their LAN port not WAN. Unless it supports bridged wifi/access point mode. Which the Time Capsule does.

At any rate. It sounds like you already have a good hardware setup. Assuming your house isn't huge or especially bad for interference. You should have a very good connection already anywhere in your house. You may just need to tweak the settings some to make sure they're all optimal. Plus remember that a roaming device like a phone probably needs the WiFi cycled when you move about the house.
 
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wardie

macrumors 6502a
Aug 18, 2008
551
179
However, devices won't jump on WiFi like you are expecting. It doesn't work like cell towers. My understanding handoff or roaming on WiFi is totally up to the client device. The network doesn't say jump to this AP. The device decides to.

I don’t believe that is correct. There is logic in the mesh routers to switch clients around to the best access points. One of their advantages. I have a Asus XT8 setup and on that its called Roaming Assistant algorithms. Works well once set up. The XT8’s are fiddly to set up but great when working. I used wired backhaul and expose both 5GHz bands for clients. I’ve also set up a Netgear Orbi system which was easier for non-tech folks.
 
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