Additional inquiries about routers and access points
Additional inquiries about routers and access points
In a short time I’ll be transferring to a larger home with varied rooms. Some walls are made of brick, others are studs (the house has been expanded several times). Definitely I’ll need a connection point to fix any signal problems. Right now I own an Asus RT66U that’s overheating badly. Two issues stand out: it’s failing and, since it’s a low-end model, it can’t use AiMesh. That would have resolved my problem already. I’m aiming for a smooth mesh network, running CAT 5e to key spots like the loft, front room, and dining area for those performance needs. I want features like port forwarding, QoS, DNS, VPN, etc., similar to what I currently have. I’m not sure what to buy. I also host my old PC in the loft, which acts as a PLEX server, MC server, FTP server, NAS, and CCTV server. Should I retain the RT66U once overheating is fixed, and buy a compact mesh access point package? If yes… what should I select? I don’t want to overspend but need strong coverage and fast internal speeds (probably via cables). Please note: I have POE capability with a spare switch, but I’m worried the speed will drop to 100mbps? I’d prefer more than that for internal Wi-Fi. Would it be better to:
- Purchase two Asus AC68Us and set up an AiMesh network (~£280)?
- Retain the RT66U, use the router side for VDSL, turn off Wi-Fi, and buy a TP-Link Deco M4 Wi-Fi mesh (~£140)?
I've been running six units lately. Avoid mesh networks—opt for wired APs instead. I'm managing the UIFI AP system here, using affordable wired APs. Check out AP AC Lite. You can also run PoE over 1GbE. The ASUS works well as a wired router, or you can switch to another wired model.
You're unsure whether to purchase a mesh kit or APs. Will they establish a unified mesh network or simply provide separate SSIDs?
Choose identical SSIDs and passwords for all devices; they will manage the connections automatically. Current devices handle switching between access points well. A mesh network consists of interconnected wireless extenders. Using wired access points with the same SSID offers superior performance.
I operate a Ubiquiti USG as my main router. The software offers everything you need. If you're comfortable with Ubuntu and know how to search online, you can build a powerful router from it. I also use a managed POE switch that connects my Ubiquiti AP Pros, which are hardwired with a UAP-AC-M-US unit in the backyard. It works perfectly and there are no problems. I only have two AP Pros, and the setup covers the entire house (3140 sqft).