Mesh versus Router Home Internet System

[Cheddar_Head]

I can appreciate your response - but I definitely do not recommend unique SSIDS as it makes seamless handoff (the unique and necessary feature of a multiple AP/ node deployment) very problematic.


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That's why my caveat was there, (makes roaming more seamless), a single SSID per network, one for 2.4g and a second for 5g will still allow roaming on the network and will not confuse those devices that have issues. To tell the truth not a lot of end user devices can successfully roam from one band to another so this should really not be a problem.

 

[Cypresstree]

That's why my caveat was there, (makes roaming more seamless), a single SSID per network, one for 2.4g and a second for 5g will still allow roaming on the network and will not confuse those devices that have issues. To tell the truth not a lot of end user devices can successfully roam from one band to another so this should really not be a problem.

That might indeed be the case with some devices.

However our laptops, iPads, and phones have no issue moving between our 5 access points


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[Cheddar_Head]

That might indeed be the case with some devices.

However our laptops, iPads, and phones have no issue moving between our 5 access points


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And they shouldn't have a problem roaming between access points as they stay on the same SSID, the question do they stay on the same band 2.4 or 5g or do the roam between bands? The vast majority of mobile devices have no problem roaming within a band, many devices have difficulty seamlessly roaming between bands, even cell phones can have difficulty when changing bancs and cell phones are designed to do this.

 

[Claude Greiner]

A gigabit WAN connection will show the flaws in your home network. When I got Spectrum Gig last Summer, my hardwired desktop PC would not pull in over 600 Mbps when connected to the router, on the rare occasion it did, it could not sustain those speeds. Once I replaced my router, I could instantly get 940+ Mbps like I’m supposed to. I bought the newer version of the router I had and all was good.

Wifi is not important to me, In fact I hate it. Nothing beats a hard-wired connection. Unfortunately, you can’t hardwire a Google Home, Amazon Echo or any other spying IoT device. If it were not for my IoT junk I would not have wifi in my house.

My personal laptop is hardwired, it’s only an is N only, not AC. My work laptop is AC and I can get 350 Mbps on 5GHz at the kitchen table, which is the farthest point in the house from my access point, or 500+ Mbps when at my desk right next to my AP.

On a smartphone or tablet an app like Signal Spy is great, I use competing apps, but they are all helpful. I use the paid version of Network Cell Info for cellular signal strengths and the paid version of Network Signal Info for wifi. At work when I replaced all of our WAPs, I purchased a license of InSSIDer Office from Metageek and used the corresponding app on my phone to map out where I wanted to place access points. Also if you have a Windows device you want to test, you can use the command netsh wlan show interface to view the signal strength percentage.

Yup!

Had to get a $500 Netgear night hawk router and upgrade my gigabyte switch.

Sad that people don’t see the value getting quality equipment

 

[Foxbat]

If you can, set up a separate SSID for your box-of-rocks IoT devices that never get updated and partition that IoT subnet to have Internet Access but restricted (or no) access to the trusted device LAN/SSID. Since few IoT devices move around freely, they can have the separate 2.4 GHz band.

 

[charlesrshell]

If you can, set up a separate SSID for your box-of-rocks IoT devices that never get updated and partition that IoT subnet to have Internet Access but restricted (or no) access to the trusted device LAN/SSID. Since few IoT devices move around freely, they can have the separate 2.4 GHz band.

After watching several review videos, I don't think you can set up separate SSIDs in these Mesh systems.

 

[Cypresstree]

After watching several review videos, I don't think you can set up separate SSIDs in these Mesh systems.

You should be able to - but only separating the 2.4 and the 5ghz bands.

My unifi system has 4 ssids - separating and administering different rules for guests, IOT, children, and parents.


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[charlesrshell]

You should be able to - but only separating the 2.4 and the 5ghz bands.

My unifi system has 4 ssids - separating and administering different rules for guests, IOT, children, and parents.


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When I get my system up and running next week sometime I will post about the SSID.

 

[lakebum431]

I have 3 EERO units in a 7400 sq ft house. Works perfectly. I have one on the 2nd floor end of the house (where the cable modem is located), one on the main level in approx the middle of the house and the last one also on the main level at the other end of the house (which is right above my basement/main TV setup). I use wireless for everything. Literally not a single wired connection in the house and it runs perfectly. Have had it for about a year and have not had any issues.

 

[stardust3]

I have 3 EERO units in a 7400 sq ft house.

Wow, 7400 sq ft. That's more like a hotel than a house.

 

[charlesrshell]

Got my new Netgear Orbi mesh system installed. She is working pretty good so far. Exterior security cameras are working much better. Cannot set up two different SSIDs in the router for 2.4 and 5 GHz. Only one SSID and it decides what is better for your device, 2.4 or 5 GHz. Attached is the latest signal test. Could not do the 2.4 GHz test because my smartphone always stays in 5 GHz mode.

 

[SandFarmer]

At the price point of all the "Name Brands" I'm looking at Ubiquiti since I only need a small amount of gear due to the way it all operates. But you need to have a bit of techie savvy . . . I installed a NanoHD in the office (Pub) and it made all that difference in the world. They have the stand-a-lone mesh system for the Plug & Play, or you can go full nerd with their confusingly insanely HUGE product line . . .

Amplifi Unboxing:

Follow up:

 

[TheKrell]

I've been contemplating the Woot Orbi deal here: NETGEAR RBK50 Orbi Home Mesh WiFi System - $179.99 - Free shipping for Prime members (14 hrs left!) and I'm confused as hell. It appears that I can set it up to port forward to my servers, and set a static WAN address. But the initial setup tells me to open a web browser and go to orbilogin.com. How in hell can that go anywhere before there is Internet or domain name service to my LAN?

Edited to add: I'm guessing that the Orbi router includes both a DHCP and DNS server, and I must use a computer with a dynamic address.

 

[harshness]

I question whether the Orbi RBK50 features much in the way of conventional router functionality (port forwarding, firewall, DMZ, VPN). I suspect that it was designed to be used in conjunction with a conventional router or gateway.

 

[TheKrell]

I question whether the Orbi RBK50 features much in the way of conventional router functionality (port forwarding, firewall, DMZ, VPN).

I did read far enough into the users manual to see that it did indeed have port forwarding. I think all routers make a network firewall. I did not notice if it has VPN or DMZ capability. I think I'll spring for this deal. I wonder if I can give Scott a few bucks via his Amazon link. They own Woot...

 

[TheKrell]

I wonder if I can give Scott a few bucks via his Amazon link. They own Woot...

The answer appears to be "No". I tried using Scott's link and searching for the product on Amazon. But it does not search on Woot. Maybe Scott can give us a Woot link?

 

[TheKrell]

I wanted to update y'all on my success with the Netgear Orbi mesh network router and satellite.

Edited to add: I'm guessing that the Orbi router includes both a DHCP and DNS server, and I must use a computer with a dynamic address.

That is indeed how it works. I plugged it in and wired my computer to a LAN port, entered orbilogin.com and got ahold of the base router, without the WAN port connected to anything. I set that up for my static IP on Cox Business, called Cox to reset their ARP tables, and voila. I was back online.

I question whether the Orbi RBK50 features much in the way of conventional router functionality (port forwarding, firewall, DMZ, VPN). I suspect that it was designed to be used in conjunction with a conventional router or gateway.

Yes, this Netgear product has port forwarding, a firewall, a DMZ, and a VPN. I am not using the DMZ or VPN at this time.

I did read far enough into the users manual to see that it did indeed have port forwarding. I think all routers make a network firewall. I did not notice if it has VPN or DMZ capability. I think I'll spring for this deal.

There was only one wrinkle wrt port forwarding. Setting up port 80 to my web server was a snap. But Netgear sure doesn't make it easy to add incoming email ports or access to my POP3 and IMAP server. This is done through adding a custom port and remembering what those POP and IMAP ports are (which I didn't).

 

[TheKrell]

This Orbi router collects a lot more info about connected devices than I am used to. For example, my Hopper3 and Joeys all say "Echostar Technologies" above their network name. My Digital server is listed. Even my Linksys VoIP adapter is listed. I see my HP printer, and my Windows PCs, and our Fire TV sticks (only reported as Amazonnnnnnnnn) and the routers themselves.

It shows a Linux PC that was at one time on wireless... I am unaware of ever connecting a Linux PC to this LAN via wireless. Makes me wonder if a wardriver got past my WPA2 security. Or it might be misreporting a tablet or something. It does correctly identify Android phones...

 

[TheKrell]

Forgot to mention... The Orbi home page in the lower right hand corner has a big A logo with subtitle Security. Status is "not activated". What is that all about?

 

[charlesrshell]

Forgot to mention... The Orbi home page in the lower right hand corner has a big A logo with subtitle Security. Status is "not activated". What is that all about?

I have the same thing in my Orbi home page too. I think if you click on Advanced in the left hand side and then select Security and set some of them items it will change the status to activated or something like that.