Organize your mesh Wi-Fi setup for the old building.
Organize your mesh Wi-Fi setup for the old building.
Hello everyone, I'm working on replacing the entire Wi-Fi in an old European building. The client needs about 15 devices connected via cable to create a large mesh network with guest access and management software. My networking experience is limited to single-home installations, not full mesh setups. Do you have advice on how to plan this? Should I use 15 routers linked by cables or opt for one big industrial router plus 14 APs? I'm unsure and want to stay within a budget of around 10k PLN (2500$).
Additionally, incorporating what @Sir Asvald mentioned earlier. Conducting a site survey is essential here. It involves measuring the signal strength and determining the coverage in a specific location. Using this data will help calculate the number of APs required. The signals need to overlap, but you should avoid having too many APs, as this can lead to interference problems.
The venue is substantial, featuring a pre-war theatre with solid brick walls and about 8000 square meters in size across three floors plus several smaller rooms. The goal is to locate a suitable router capable of managing the entire space's demands. Testing should begin by identifying a router that can handle this workload.
If you're seeking a straightforward out-of-the-box setup, Uniquiti offers a convenient choice. You can leverage one of their routers or gateways to manage routing and control access points. As noted earlier, conduct a site survey to determine the number of APs, their placement, and wiring method. Uniquiti APs operate on Power over Ethernet (POE), which means you only require a single cable per device. Your overall setup might resemble this: ISP modem or connection → Unifi router (dream machine or similar) → network switch with POE ports → each port connects to an AP. Remember, if your environment already has network infrastructure, simply integrate with it. Consider using a POE switch as shown and deploy configuration software via a cloud key. A Lawrence systems video demonstrating a 52 AP deployment can provide further insight. No matter the AP provider, having central management is essential for efficient control and configuration. Good luck!