Upstairs or downstairs, the access point is available.
Upstairs or downstairs, the access point is available.
I have a vintage home in the Midwest with my modem/router downstairs and wireless coverage above. I'm moving from 50mbps to 200 Mbps starting Monday and want to boost performance. Downstairs handles coax entry, while upstairs uses cable outside and Ethernet in the bedroom. My setup includes a PFSense box, AP, and switch all set. I'm thinking about keeping the downstairs router/switch for my Plex server and Roku Ultra, using the upstairs AP as a switch for other devices. I'm unsure how strong the WiFi is downstairs despite its current coverage in an awkward spot. Would it be better to install a PoE AP near the center of the house or repurpose the spare router as an AP with reduced power? Any suggestions would help.
I don’t think there’s much guidance here. If there are areas without a strong signal, you might move the AP or use another one. For privacy concerns, you can lower its power so it doesn’t reach outside your home much. Outside those spots you’ll need to test and adjust yourself. We don’t have the full picture of your house layout or the best spot for coverage, except the common idea of placing it in the middle of the house—which isn’t always the best.
Ignoring outside signals is fine. The access point covers about 90% of homes. My other computer at the back of the house gets around 35mbps. I’m planning to add a PCIe wireless card soon.