Upgrading Aplifi to Mesh system with wired backhaul

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Upgrading Aplifi to Mesh system with wired backhaul

bigfoot

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#296180 27-May-2022 16:06

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my Aplifi, which is working now without any satellites. Aplifi is getting old, I'm not able to purchase anymore mash satellites (which I do not like as they do not have wired backhaul) and would like to have WiFi6.

I need mash system with wired backhaul and I need only two units (main and one satellite). So far I have in my mind D-Link COVR-X1870 and TP-Link Deco X55. I prefer D-Link as it has more wired ports than TP-Link but I've found info about problem with D-Link and default isolation mode which prevents traffic between wired and wireless devices. If this is still not resolved with latest firmware then it is deal breaker for me?

Does anyone has any other recommendations? I need wired backhaul, WiFi 6, good parental control and at least 3-4 LAN ports on main unit. I would like to keep it around $500 budget for 2 units if it is possible. Thanks

ProbablyAGeek

26 posts

Geek

#2920367 30-May-2022 13:36

You could just buy another amplifi unit, they support being in a mesh system with one being the router and the other acting as an access point, you can likely do wired backhaul with it too.

They're not really "old", they're still getting updates and can route 1G so I see no reason why you can't keep using them unless you've got some requirements that the amplifis can't do.

edit: sorry missed the comment regarding wifi6, a second amplifi unit would be cheaper than buying a whole new mesh system, just got to ask yourself if you really need wifi6 or you would just like to have wifi6.

Can also suggest the eero6, they're a mesh unit and can do wired backhaul, have parental controls, just have only 2 ethernet ports per unit, there are lots of cheap 5 port switches out there too

bigfoot

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2920402 30-May-2022 14:40

I've completely missed info that I can use another Amplifi unit as a mash. This can work and maybe it will be most cost effective solution. Yes, I'll missed WiFi 6, but again this is only important if I'm replacing whole system. Thanks

Senecio

2711 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2920407 30-May-2022 14:56

I have two Amplifi HD routers in a wired backhaul mesh system. Works very well, it was exactly what I wanted.

Routes 1G but with a simplified consumer interface. I don't need the power of a pro-sumer device
Provides ethernet backhaul to the second HD router in the spare bedroom / games room which is our secondary media room after the living area
Provides an additional 4 1G ethernets ports in the second room so I don't to add a switch
The positioning of the two units means I have ethernet ports where they are required for media (living and games room) and whole of house, and garden, wifi

I would try to find a 2nd hand Amplifi HD router, you won't be dissapointed.

bigfoot

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2920434 30-May-2022 15:24

I've just found and purchased 2nd hand Amplifi HD on Trade me. Now it is just to find best location where I'll placed second unit. Thank you

PJ48

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2920552 30-May-2022 18:34

Senecio:

I have two Amplifi HD routers in a wired backhaul mesh system. Works very well, it was exactly what I wanted.

Routes 1G but with a simplified consumer interface. I don't need the power of a pro-sumer device
Provides ethernet backhaul to the second HD router in the spare bedroom / games room which is our secondary media room after the living area
Provides an additional 4 1G ethernets ports in the second room so I don't to add a switch
The positioning of the two units means I have ethernet ports where they are required for media (living and games room) and whole of house, and garden, wifi
I would try to find a 2nd hand Amplifi HD router, you won't be dissapointed.

With the wired backhaul setup can you control the wifi channels that each Amplifi HD uses or does the system do it automatically for you? In other words - can you set each AP to use non-overlapping channels from each other?

Senecio

2711 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2920603 30-May-2022 19:15

PJ48:

With the wired backhaul setup can you control the wifi channels that each Amplifi HD uses or does the system do it automatically for you? In other words - can you set each AP to use non-overlapping channels from each other?

I don't believe so. A quick check of the advanced wifi settings I believe they are universal. I can see that you can set the channel and bandwidth by band (2.4 vs 5Ghz) but that is done at the the master router only and is applied to both units. Both of mine are set to automatic and I've never had an issue in my house.

bigfoot

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2923887 8-Jun-2022 11:35

I've installed second Amplifi over the weekend. If has improved WiFi dramatically, as now whole house has excellent 5GHz coverage. Thanks once more for the advice.

I've question about those standards 802.11 r/k/v. Should I enable any of these or all of them to improve switching over from one Apmlifi to another one? Thanks

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corksta

2397 posts

Uber Geek

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#2923910 8-Jun-2022 12:11

I have two AmpliFi Aliens and have all three (r, k, v) enabled. Turning /r on throws up a warning that it may affect devices. I have about 40 devices in our household across different brands and I haven't had any that seem to be affected by switching that on.

bigfoot

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2924090 8-Jun-2022 21:00

OK, I've enabled all of them and will do testing. Thanks