Looking to upgrade your network? Explore options for a new router or mesh system.
Looking to upgrade your network? Explore options for a new router or mesh system.
Hello! You're looking for updated Netgear routers or mesh systems. Your setup includes Govee 2.4Ghz IoT devices, a Jetson Nano, a Raspberry Pi with Docker, and a small home server plus a Minecraft server. You have around 35 active devices, with a few offline, and you're dealing with Wi-Fi stability issues on your Netgear R6400v2. You've tried offloading some traffic to an Apple Airport Express but want a better long-term fix. You need a router or mesh device that supports 2.4Ghz for Govee, possibly 5Ghz and maybe 6Ghz for your laptop, and should be durable for years. I'll help you narrow down the options!
Are there any specific reasons you're avoiding placing several APs around the house with hardwired connections? Performance with hardwired APs tends to be superior. Each hop in a mesh network halves your bandwidth, which is worth noting. For example, if you have Gig connections, the first AP meshing to a hardwired AP would deliver 500 Mbps, while a connected meshed AP would provide 250 Mbps. Keep this in mind.
I reside in a compact row house constructed post-WW2, making it tricky to place APs throughout. A mesh network seemed like a solid approach, especially since my setup leans heavily on 2.4Ghz IoT gadgets rather than laptops. If the only viable alternative is upgrading to a more contemporary router capable of managing over 32 devices, I’m open to the idea. Using the AirPort Express and adjusting load balancing makes sense—it would at least provide something functional for it, though swapping in a newer model isn’t too far off. We also have Gigabit LAN cabling available, but I assume most routers already support that.
If your home has gigabit cabling, you could assign one port on the outer side of the house to a single access point. Managing 32 clients is manageable with modern wireless setups. An all-in-one solution like Ubiquity works well for both home and business use, supporting many devices with smooth handoffs between APs. You might start by installing just one AP to test its impact. According to Unifi, their Access Point can support around 300 connected devices—enough for your needs. However, actual performance may be lower than expected. If upgrading the router doesn’t significantly improve things, consider switching to a mesh network system. I have limited experience with mesh networks except for one Ubiquiti unit I installed at a friend’s place, so further research would be wise if that’s your path. Overall, your router seems adequate, but boosting your wireless infrastructure will likely resolve the connectivity issues. Also, check for interference and try changing channels to reduce congestion.
It’s a great idea! You could set up a wireless access point and connect it to your existing router network. This would let you manage your IoT devices separately while keeping your laptops linked through the main router’s 5GHz connection. Your current setup with auto-switching 2.4GHz channels seems well thought out for handling congestion.
You’d simply plug an Ethernet cable into the AP to boost your coverage and add another access point for handling traffic. Your colleague found an affordable Aruba AP on eBay, which could work too. Double-check that your AP uses PoE—either ensure you have a PoE switch or use a PoE injector if needed.
I need a PoE Injector to accomplish that. Alternatively, you could switch all your IoT gadgets to an Apple AirPort Express since you rarely use it. It might work as an access point for those devices, but I’m unsure how many can connect at once.
EDIT: I have roughly 21 Govee devices with Wi-Fi and three wireless laptops. The AirPort Express limit isn’t clear, but it seems safer to get a dedicated solution for the wireless IoT ones, right?
Apologies for the delayed response. Changing everything to that single AP and using the other one for your actual devices could work. It’s not a bad idea to try, as it’s free and you already have everything. From there, a stronger AP will be your best choice to ease the device load.