Compare Mesh Wi-Fi and wired access points for performance and coverage needs.
Compare Mesh Wi-Fi and wired access points for performance and coverage needs.
I’m evaluating my choices for the new home setup. The layout shows the modem on the far left, so placing a router there would be suboptimal. My current internet speed is solid at 900 Mbps, but coverage isn’t consistent—especially upstairs and on the right side of the house. I’m thinking a two-part mesh system could help: position the main router near the modem and use a satellite extender in a central spot. Alternatively, upgrading to a high-powered router might improve downstairs coverage, and adding a wired access point could extend reach upstairs. The concern is whether these additions would cover the gaps left by the existing setup. Your thoughts on the best approach would be appreciated.
A similar Wi-Fi setup would be ideal in this location. Their mesh network performs exceptionally well. While I don’t rely on it myself—my organization uses a more advanced enterprise system—I’ve implemented Nest Wi-Fi for all my family members since I’m their tech support. I oversee three separate networks and have shared the experience with friends; everyone reported no problems. The signal reach is excellent. Ease of use stands out among options, and you won’t typically achieve speeds like 900 Mbps inside a home via Wi-Fi. Broad coverage isn’t reliable through typical household setups.
I manage a pfSense firewall/router alongside Ubiquity APs and managed switches for effective VLAN segmentation. Essentially, an enterprise-grade router can create VLANs and perform subnetting. Subnets typically follow a standard format like 192.168.1.X, such as 192.168.1.0/24 or 192.168.2.X. Depending on firewall settings, these subnets can be configured to communicate with each other or remain isolated. I’ve set up a separate subnet for IoT Wi-Fi devices because they’re vulnerable and shouldn’t connect to the main LAN. Using VLANs lets me assign different SSIDs to my managed access point (AP) for private devices like laptops, and another for IoT gadgets such as light switches and garage door openers. While you can integrate Ubiquity with a regular router/firewall, it’s best to avoid complex configurations to prevent unnecessary complications. There’s plenty of guidance on setting up Unify (Ubiquity) if you’re willing to invest time in learning. It’s not a straightforward fix and comes with a moderate learning curve.
Even a small section works sometimes. I've seen it firsthand, though it's uncommon. It usually takes longer—about half the speed—because of real-world limits and link rates staying around 1.2Gbit even near the access point.