Time to change my home network setup...

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Time to change my home network setup...

DaveDog

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

#110307 7-Oct-2012 14:54

Afternoon all...

OK - I'm sick of the painfully slow WI-FI in our house. Ethernet speed is fine. We've got loads of devices connecting to it (PS3, Apple TV, Macbook, 2x Laptops, 2-3 Windows PCs, 2x iPhones)

I'm currently using the Telecom supplied Thomson...

So - I'm thinking of getting myself a new TP Link N750 and either coupling it up with my Thomson (disabling the Wi-Fi of course) or should I go back to my old Dynalink RTA1320?

What do you all reckon - wasting my time and money?

Zeon

3918 posts

Uber Geek

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#697485 7-Oct-2012 15:05

Probably best to run multiple access points on different channels. You could get the triple pack Ubiquiti Unifi?

Speedtest 2019-10-14

ascroft

398 posts

Ultimate Geek

#697493 7-Oct-2012 15:08

Just take some of the load off wifi -ie apple tv and PS3? If you are streaming stuff, would have thought that might kill it for other devices.

common sense is not very common

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#697526 7-Oct-2012 17:33

I had the same issue. I have ordered ethernet over powerline (XAVB5004 kit), which gives a powerline adapter for one end, and essentially a 4-port powerline router for the other. It has arrived, but I haven't tested it yet.

Most reviews are fairly clear that throughput and stability on this should greatly exceed WiFi. My plan is to connect most devices (2x media players, NAS, Tivo and main router etc) this way, ultimately using 2 kits if it works, and with Wifi only being used for untethered devices.

It's a fairly cheap solution, and if most of your devices are stationary it might be exploring this as an option instead of WiFi?

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#697531 7-Oct-2012 17:54

Zeon: Probably best to run multiple access points on different channels. You could get the triple pack Ubiquiti Unifi?

With out knowing anything about the site at all, I agree with the general direction you're suggesting.

The OP should also do a site servey and see just how much other junk is in the air. I had a customer complain on Friday and I just showed them the noise on my phone and they got it fast enough.

The power line suggestion is a good one for fixed devices if you can't just run some CAT5 to them.

A Unifi triple pack will also need a controller in a space that small so the radios know about each other and don't just make the problem worse.

Fixing APs on fixed channels isn't ideal. If a neighbour jumps a radio in on one of your channel selections then the problem just comes back. The Unifi network will sort that out for you automatically and move the radios about as required.

Interesting to see what sort of value people out on wifi moving forward. People think nothing of paying $3,000 for a TV. Wonder how many people will be happy to pay $1,000 for a half decent Unifi set up?

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LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek

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#697535 7-Oct-2012 18:21

The Unifi's only need a controller when they are first set up (and changing options in the future) and after that there is no need for one.

Set them all up on the same SSID and devices will join the closest one/best one and roaming between Unifi just works.

I have set up a large public area with 15 Unifi's on the same SSID and they just work.(They are designed to do this).

Only one of the Unifi's actually needs Network Access and the rest can use wireless uplink of another Unifi if needed.

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#697536 7-Oct-2012 18:25

LennonNZ: The Unifi's only need a controller when they are first set up (and changing options in the future) and after that there is no need for one.

Set them all up on the same SSID and devices will join the closest one/best one and roaming between Unifi just works.

I have set up a large public area with 15 Unifi's on the same SSID and they just work.(They are designed to do this).

Only one of the Unifi's actually needs Network Access and the rest can use wireless uplink of another Unifi if needed.

I thought the controller also manages power levels and frequency changes between the units in the event that other aps in the area sprung up. Is this not the case?

Also using wireless uplink will half the throughput won't it?

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