Suggestions for an access point include product recommendations and practical tips.
Suggestions for an access point include product recommendations and practical tips.
Hey there! I understand your setup and the challenges you're facing. With a gigabit connection and a main router, adding two extra access points sounds like a solid plan. You're considering a wired connection between the router and the access point to ensure strong coverage, especially for the pool area. While using an Asus RT-AX88u might seem reasonable, it’s not necessarily the most effective choice for this specific scenario. Think about exploring other options like mesh systems or directional antennas that can boost signal strength without needing a complex setup. Let me know if you'd like more ideas! Thanks!
Obtain another router and configure it as a slave or access point. More antennas are better. For easier setup, consider wireless repeaters (same brand recommended). Water and electricity can interfere with signals; expect poor performance if penetration isn't needed.
Repeaters are terrible. They halve your data speed for each device and only reproduce the signal as well as they get it, meaning placing them in weak signal areas results in poor output. The optimal choice is a dedicated access point, which manages many more clients without sacrificing performance and is simpler to handle.
You can find affordable CISCO, Aruba, Aerohive, and similar products on eBay. Verify they don’t include the WLC image, or you’ll need a controller to operate them. If they’re autonomous, a GUI lets you set up configurations. Ensure you purchase an AP with the most recent firmware—such as CISCO 2802, 3702, etc. The 1142N models are quite outdated. I own a free license for Aerohive (Extreme), but you can also use CLI to manage the devices. Just confirm they aren’t bundled into a "Hive" setup, or they’ll connect automatically to the HiveManager controller. Are you interested in 802.11N or AC technologies?
For optimal performance, place the AP near the wall where you need WiFi. Concrete can weaken the signal and slow down speeds. If speed isn’t critical, you may skip this step. Outdoor-rated APs with PoE work well for exterior use. Most situations allow indoor options if the eaves provide UV or weather protection. If you own an RT-AX88u, switch it to AP mode and connect it through a LAN port to your main router. Assign a fixed LAN IP on the same subnet as your primary router and set the gateway to its address. Customize WiFi settings as desired. The RT-AX88u can reach around 1Gbps with 2x2 WiFi 6 clients using 160MHz channels; similar speeds are possible with a UAP-6-LR.