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I'm writing an email to my dad, who wants to upgrade the home internet infrastructure. Here is what you need to know: - Cabling in the walls is CAT-5e, it tops at 1 Gigabit - House is 3 floors & ~2200sqft Please let me know if you have other suggestions or advice! Thanks!
Often connections can work smoothly at 5gbe with shorter distances. @Leifster It’s tough to discuss your suggestion without more context beyond “Want to upgrade.” There are numerous quality networking hardware makers, but pinpointing the right choice depends on understanding your goals. Are these recommendations meant for your father or his needs? If so, what situations led you to consider those options?
I was responsible for choosing products for him, handling all details like goals and limitations. He just needs a ready solution. My focus is to use the resources we have at home efficiently without extra costs. He wants:
- A mesh network with Ethernet backhaul
- Easy deployment that doesn’t require frequent upkeep
- No overlapping coverage issues (we already have a modem in the basement and an old DLink AP upstairs)
- Areas with decent reception, especially between those spots
- Strong coverage and speeds for use cases like VR or streaming over Wi-Fi/Steam Link
- I’m limited in knowledge but I’ve set up designated channels for both
I aim to cover edge scenarios such as VR or gaming streaming, though those aren’t his main concerns. Let me know if you have more details!
Could you check if this works? The current setup limits speed to 1 Gigabit using a single port, and I recently confirmed all cables are functioning properly with a tester.
You’d require a 2.5 or greeter port at each end. In practice, I’ve used Google WiFi at my parents’ house and business, plus many friends have the same setup. They offer 5GHz backhaul and perform very well. It’s straightforward—just plug in and forget about it. Personally, I manage Ubiquity systems, but it’s far more complex; it doesn’t come preconfigured or plug-and-play.
Google Wifi includes a backhaul connection. EDIT: Hmm, looks like someone clarified that. Updated July 17, 2024 by Leifster Knowledge.
Every mesh network relies on a backhaul connection... though I'm not sure with absolute certainty some advertised mesh setups might not truly function as intended. For a mesh to operate effectively, access points must contain logic that directs devices between APs based on signal strength, which goes beyond simply having many APs broadcasting the same network name. To ensure smooth performance and speed, mesh systems typically use either wired or wireless backhaul solutions. My Unifi setup could be wired, but because of space constraints my second AP connects via Wi-Fi mesh to the main AP, likely using a 5GHz link. Fortunately, these APs can communicate effectively—even with strong signals—they can maintain reliable connections, though the 5GHz signal from the primary AP at the second AP's location isn't always sufficient for stable performance, leading to frequent dropouts. The direct AP-to-AP link remains robust.
I fully back wired connections, though I haven’t encountered a particularly impressive, straightforward wired setup. My experience shows Google WiFi is excellent. I wouldn’t switch to Unifi hardware unless you’re eager to dive into networking and tolerate occasional hiccups. It functions well, but it’s not built for everyday users. I’d invest time researching before committing to any advanced gear or high-end solutions. TP Link, Asus, and many others offer mesh options, but I don’t have firsthand feedback on their performance.