5Ghz AP recommendations?

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#1170930 7-Nov-2014 15:24

ubergeeknz: The major problem where I am is our neighbours are very close, so 2.4Ghz interference is massive. Also where my router is situated is near one end of the house. So a 2nd AP situated near the middle of the house with 5Ghz or maybe dual band on a different channel should do the job (it's a small house)

Good luck, if you haven't already see if you can find some free or cheap wireless monitoring software. I use Wifi Explorer on my mac, it shows all of the nearby wireless networks and what channel they are using, is helpful when trying to find a channel without saturation With 2.4Ghz however your only real options are channels 1 , 6 and 11

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ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1170943 7-Nov-2014 15:31

Yeah.. all 3 are used in various strengths (and some inbetween) in different parts of the house. Usually multiple APs per channel are visible. So what is a good channel for one end of the house is terrible at the other end :P

richms

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#1170957 7-Nov-2014 15:42

ubergeeknz: Yeah.. all 3 are used in various strengths (and some inbetween) in different parts of the house. Usually multiple APs per channel are visible. So what is a good channel for one end of the house is terrible at the other end :P

Generally signal at one end of the house from the other is also not really usable ( < -70ish) so that works in your favour.

I have had to stack all mine up on ch 6 and 11 because the flatmate wants to have ch1 for himself. So long as the AP is largly idle it doesnt have a big impact on using the same channel. Whereas someone copying massive files over will fully use the channel leaving you to fight for space.

Richard rich.ms

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#1172628 11-Nov-2014 09:33

Well the little repeater arrived today :) will try it out when I get home and make some before and after heatmaps.

It's tiny, as you can see in the photos:

Little AP #1

ubergeeknz

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#1173141 11-Nov-2014 21:34

Well, it works. One quirk discovered so far, is you cannot access the web interface from the LAN side; you have to be connected to the access point itself via wifi.

Otherwise, the UI is not bad and reception seems good especially considering the size. It has no routing functions, although it can run as a DHCP server.

Will do a site survey probably in the weekend and some more thorough testing. But in the meantime, it's improved reception in the far end of the house, which was the goal.

sbiddle

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#1173145 11-Nov-2014 21:41

Can it function as an AP with Ethernet input or solely as a WiFi repeater?

ubergeeknz

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#1173149 11-Nov-2014 21:50

sbiddle: Can it function as an AP with Ethernet input or solely as a WiFi repeater?

Either, or as a wifi receiver to LAN. I have it in AP mode. Each has a seperate configuration saved.

psychnurse

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#1173175 11-Nov-2014 22:25

BTR:
ubergeeknz: The major problem where I am is our neighbours are very close, so 2.4Ghz interference is massive. Also where my router is situated is near one end of the house. So a 2nd AP situated near the middle of the house with 5Ghz or maybe dual band on a different channel should do the job (it's a small house)

Good luck, if you haven't already see if you can find some free or cheap wireless monitoring software. I use Wifi Explorer on my mac, it shows all of the nearby wireless networks and what channel they are using, is helpful when trying to find a channel without saturation With 2.4Ghz however your only real options are channels 1 , 6 and 11

Hi, why can only channels 1,6 and 11 be used with 2.4ghz? what about 8 or 9.

ubergeeknz

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#1173183 11-Nov-2014 22:30

psychnurse:
BTR:
ubergeeknz: The major problem where I am is our neighbours are very close, so 2.4Ghz interference is massive. Also where my router is situated is near one end of the house. So a 2nd AP situated near the middle of the house with 5Ghz or maybe dual band on a different channel should do the job (it's a small house)

Good luck, if you haven't already see if you can find some free or cheap wireless monitoring software. I use Wifi Explorer on my mac, it shows all of the nearby wireless networks and what channel they are using, is helpful when trying to find a channel without saturation With 2.4Ghz however your only real options are channels 1 , 6 and 11

Hi, why can only channels 1,6 and 11 be used with 2.4ghz? what about 8 or 9.

1, 6, and 11 are the only channels which don't overlap.

You can use other channels but they will interfere with neighbouring channels, so it's not a good idea.

ubergeeknz

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#1173482 12-Nov-2014 11:56

So my plan of putting this mini AP in the middle of the house and reaching the far end turned out to be not much cop, as the 2.4 range is not very good. The signal seems to drop off very quickly indeed.

Interestingly though, the 5Ghz range is excellent, and I can get 5Ghz signal throughout the house. However my aging Galaxy Nexus for some reason does not like 5Ghz. Apparently this is a common fault.

There is a bright side to all of this though. In hooking up the new AP, I have somehow managed to move the existing router in such a way that reception is improved at the far end of the house :)

Bloody wireless signals... so finicky!

psychnurse

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#1173570 12-Nov-2014 13:40

ubergeeknz:
psychnurse:
BTR:
ubergeeknz: The major problem where I am is our neighbours are very close, so 2.4Ghz interference is massive. Also where my router is situated is near one end of the house. So a 2nd AP situated near the middle of the house with 5Ghz or maybe dual band on a different channel should do the job (it's a small house)

Good luck, if you haven't already see if you can find some free or cheap wireless monitoring software. I use Wifi Explorer on my mac, it shows all of the nearby wireless networks and what channel they are using, is helpful when trying to find a channel without saturation With 2.4Ghz however your only real options are channels 1 , 6 and 11

Hi, why can only channels 1,6 and 11 be used with 2.4ghz? what about 8 or 9.

1, 6, and 11 are the only channels which don't overlap.

You can use other channels but they will interfere with neighbouring channels, so it's not a good idea.

Cheers, I thought I was doing something wrong using those other channels. Phew!

YJ

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Master Geek

#1173604 12-Nov-2014 14:30

ubergeeknz: Well, it works. One quirk discovered so far, is you cannot access the web interface from the LAN side; you have to be connected to the access point itself via wifi.

Otherwise, the UI is not bad and reception seems good especially considering the size. It has no routing functions, although it can run as a DHCP server.

Will do a site survey probably in the weekend and some more thorough testing. But in the meantime, it's improved reception in the far end of the house, which was the goal.

Do you need to connect it under separate wifi name comparing with your main router? or you can roam in your house with the device anywhere continuously without disruption.

ubergeeknz

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#1173608 12-Nov-2014 14:37

YJ:
ubergeeknz: Well, it works. One quirk discovered so far, is you cannot access the web interface from the LAN side; you have to be connected to the access point itself via wifi.

Otherwise, the UI is not bad and reception seems good especially considering the size. It has no routing functions, although it can run as a DHCP server.

Will do a site survey probably in the weekend and some more thorough testing. But in the meantime, it's improved reception in the far end of the house, which was the goal.

Do you need to connect it under separate wifi name comparing with your main router? or you can roam in your house with the device anywhere continuously without disruption.

That does work it seems, but the 2.4 signal actually doesn't reach where I needed it to. 5Ghz does, but it's kind of hopeless as my phone won't connect to 5G network at all. I need to relocate the AP all the way to the end of the house to get the benefit, I think.

sbiddle

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#1173698 12-Nov-2014 16:45

ubergeeknz:
Interestingly though, the 5Ghz range is excellent, and I can get 5Ghz signal throughout the house. However my aging Galaxy Nexus for some reason does not like 5Ghz. Apparently this is a common fault.

I assume it's a 5GHz capable device? Is it simply a channel issue? There are lots of issues with 5Ghz with so many devices only liking the US channels.

ubergeeknz

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#1173703 12-Nov-2014 16:58

sbiddle:
ubergeeknz:
Interestingly though, the 5Ghz range is excellent, and I can get 5Ghz signal throughout the house. However my aging Galaxy Nexus for some reason does not like 5Ghz. Apparently this is a common fault.

I assume it's a 5GHz capable device? Is it simply a channel issue? There are lots of issues with 5Ghz with so many devices only liking the US channels.

I think it's a fault or bug. Have found a few reports online. It sees the AP, but when you try to connect it just doesn't. Other devices connect fine so the AP is working OK.

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