I’m about to move to a mesh network and dump my AirPort Extreme. I have around 20-25 devices connected approx 5 are smart phones tablets or desktops so these are easy to move over. Of more concern is the remainder of devices which are homekit products of one flavor or another. can I simply buy a new mesh system set it up with the same network name and password and all will be well? Has anyone done this and had it work that way? What mesh system did you use? I am quite agnostic about brand and homekit functionality would be a bonus but is by no means essential.
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Moving away from AirPort Extreme easily
- Thread starter Wyatt82
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I moved away from my three AirPort Extreme setup beginning of the year.
I bought extenders for my existing provider VDSL+ box. Apart from the lousy software quality of the router, the setup has no impact on HomeKit or AirPlay. Most of the known devices are getting a fixed IP from the dhcp server, and I finally got rid of the super annoying roaming issues I started to get with the later IOS versions. I don’t regret my move.
My mesh system is a Fritz!Box, which may not be available or popular where you are.
I bought extenders for my existing provider VDSL+ box. Apart from the lousy software quality of the router, the setup has no impact on HomeKit or AirPlay. Most of the known devices are getting a fixed IP from the dhcp server, and I finally got rid of the super annoying roaming issues I started to get with the later IOS versions. I don’t regret my move.
My mesh system is a Fritz!Box, which may not be available or popular where you are.
Switched from Time Capsule, Extreme and Express setup to Synology RT2600 + 2200 mesh system. It has been absolutely rock solid. Sill use the express to power an aux connected outdoor speaker on occasion, and TC is wired to the network for Time Machine backups.
Please tell me more!
I'm ready to ditch my AirPort Extreme/Express network and this Synology system looks interesting.
In a nutshell, I have cable internet (Xfinity) and an Arris SB6183 modem/Airport Extreme router in my back den. I connect via wifi/ac to my office Mac Mini and MacBook Pro from a bedroom/office (with a bathroom in between the router and bedroom). In the den, my MacBook Pro gets about 150Mpbs and in the office it gets about 80Mbps on a good day (15% less when ExpressVPN is turned on which is always).
I'm paying Comcast for 400Mbps and have never got close to that-maybe 150. ( I may downsize to 200 but that is another story).
I'd love to increase the wifi throughput in the bedroom/office and I don't think the Extreme is cutting it any longer.
I also have an Airport Express in my living room whose soul purpose in life is to plug into an old receiver and port iTunes to the speakers. I replaced this unit once when Apple decided to discontinued them.
It looks like you are still using an Express yourself with outdoor speakers? so I wondered how that works with the RT2600/2200?
Also do I need a mesh sytem or just the RT2600? My condo is medium size (850sf) but its not a house. A few walls separate the router from my bedroom and living room and the distance between the router and office Mac or Express is about 30-40 feet max.
Ideas?
Thanks and Happy New Year.
You probably wouldn't need the additional RT2200 for a small space like that. My home is about 3600 sq ft on two levels and my Xfinity service is 75Mbps (more than enough for my needs), same modem as you have.
The express simply joins the networks as a client, no repeating. My Apple devices see the Express as an Air Play destination, same as on an Airport network, no magic required.
The RT2200 is currently connecting via WiFi at about 300 Mbps, when I had it connecting via ethernet, the uplink was close to 1Gbps, but it doesn't matter given ISP speed is only 75.
I ran the network on the 2600 only for about a year, but wanted better WiFi in the garage for a smart EV charger and outdoor patio\decks. 2600 covered the home great, but a little weak in the garage and outdoors, so the 2200 was a good addition.
I use really love the Ubiquiti Unifi APs for whole house and yard coverage. Rock solid, and very robust, high-end (enterprise) feature set. As they are APs only, you can use any router you like. I use a small, low cost but very rugged and reliable UBNT router (with no built-in wifi) because it is also a POE switch to drive the APs.
One challenge with most modern consumer routers is you end up paying for wifi that is wasted, assuming you have different brand APs. A low cost, dedicated router solves this, as does pairing a router (with wifi) along with same-brand APs, such as the Synology suggestion. Synology feature set/interface is a big bonus too, if you need/want those features.
But one could use any router, including your existing Airport (with wifi turned off). for basic routing, DHCP, etc, with UBNT access points.
All that being said...based on your apartment size, I would expect one good, modern router should cover everything well, barring unusual interior construction (brick walls, metal lath, etc.). Still smart to plan for growth in case you decide you need more coverage (outside?), have a shadow or weak spot, or end up moving to a bigger space.
One challenge with most modern consumer routers is you end up paying for wifi that is wasted, assuming you have different brand APs. A low cost, dedicated router solves this, as does pairing a router (with wifi) along with same-brand APs, such as the Synology suggestion. Synology feature set/interface is a big bonus too, if you need/want those features.
But one could use any router, including your existing Airport (with wifi turned off). for basic routing, DHCP, etc, with UBNT access points.
All that being said...based on your apartment size, I would expect one good, modern router should cover everything well, barring unusual interior construction (brick walls, metal lath, etc.). Still smart to plan for growth in case you decide you need more coverage (outside?), have a shadow or weak spot, or end up moving to a bigger space.
Thanks for the additional info.
The RT2600 looks like a great solution. I like the GUI with all the set-up options not available with an AE. Also, the idea of keeping a small HD/SSD attached directly to the unit is a plus. The router is behind my TV so that would be a great place to put a HD with larger movie files. I would need to find a way to back it up.
I discovered an issue with my VPN provider, ExpressVPN, and how it works with the RT2600. Apparently there is no driver available so I would have to add individual OpenVPN profiles for each individual city/country server want to connect to. Right now its just a click away with a ExpVPN desktop app but the RT2600 would require opening the router GUI and switching servers from there. Doable, but not elegant. I think they sometimes change server ISPs which goes unseen but would be a hassle to reconnect with a new profile.
Something to think about. ExpressVPN has drivers for other routers like the Nighthawk (?) but I really like the Synology GUI.
Yes, it is that easy.
I moved from Airports several years ago but use the same network name and password exactly, devices will connect right back up once the network name is within distance, if the password matches, it connects.
I also set the same network names and password at my sisters, stepson, and father-in-laws house. Whenever we travel to each others house, anything we bring automatical connects without having to worry about anything.
I have a UniFi system at home, Netgear Orbi at another and UniFi at another.
Out of this 3 systems which one had best reception and networking sections in it? A good review could earn you some money if you viewers on video sites!