Upgrade Home Wifi Network

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Dulouz

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#208602 19-Feb-2017 10:06

I have a larger house with a home office and have been using an Apple extreme with an Apple express to extend the network for about 7 years. I've started to doing a lot more streaming and the system isn't keeping up.

If I upgrade to the current routers like a nighthawke will this cover the whole house? or do I still need to use my old routers to extend. The airport is connected to a HG659b. I found the range on the HG to be too small.

I'd like some advice on a good setup for the modern age.

Amanon

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#1722550 19-Feb-2017 10:12

Depending on your tech ability/interest in dealing with hardware that is slightly more complex than your average home networking gear, the Ubiquiti Wireless APs are an excellent choice.

Dulouz

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#1722552 19-Feb-2017 10:18

D.W:

Depending on your tech ability/interest in dealing with hardware that is slightly more complex than your average home networking gear, the Ubiquiti Wireless APs are an excellent choice.

I take it with something like above you can have several AP's connected to separate ethernet connections throughout my property and they are able to form a single wifi network?

Amanon

Benoire

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#1722582 19-Feb-2017 11:06

Yes and it should, I believe, allow clients to move seamlessly between APs based on strenght of signal. I've got a UBNT AC LR which is awesome which covers my 95m2 home with full signal strength, if I move to a bigger place I'll pick up another.

kiwifidget

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#1722583 19-Feb-2017 11:07

The Netgear Orbi system does what you want but its not cheap.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETNGR3000/Netgear-Orbi-RBK50-MU-MIMO-Wi-Fi-System-Orbi-Route

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Dulouz

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#1722584 19-Feb-2017 11:13

Benoire:

Yes and it should, I believe, allow clients to move seamlessly between APs based on strenght of signal. I've got a UBNT AC LR which is awesome which covers my 95m2 home with full signal strength, if I move to a bigger place I'll pick up another.

I notice that it is PoE, does that mean I need a switch as well? or can it draw power from the HG659b?

Amanon

antoniosk

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#1722586 19-Feb-2017 11:17

For PoE you'll something to inject power, and thats not the HG659.

You can get home network grade switchs that can supply power but do your research etc. Or just plug the thing in if you can.

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Dulouz

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#1722588 19-Feb-2017 11:23

antoniosk:

For PoE you'll something to inject power, and thats not the HG659.

You can get home network grade switchs that can supply power but do your research etc. Or just plug the thing in if you can.

Thanks - the UBNT AC LR comes with a power injector so all good.

Amanon

michaelmurfy

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#1722590 19-Feb-2017 11:24

Yes the Ubiquiti UniFi AP's will be what you're after - ideally the UniFi AC-Lite or the UniFi AC-Pro will do you fine. I've also got a UniFi controller you're able to use if you like.

You'll need to run Ethernet to both AP's however power doesn't have to be present in the locations you install them. They're tidy (designed to be out in the open) and configuration, firmware updates etc are all managed by the UniFi controller.

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Dulouz

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#1722593 19-Feb-2017 11:32

michaelmurfy:

Yes the Ubiquiti UniFi AP's will be what you're after - ideally the UniFi AC-Lite or the UniFi AC-Pro will do you fine. I've also got a UniFi controller you're able to use if you like.

You'll need to run Ethernet to both AP's however power doesn't have to be present in the locations you install them. They're tidy (designed to be out in the open) and configuration, firmware updates etc are all managed by the UniFi controller.

Thanks - I'm looking at this one here - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETUBI1226/Ubiquiti-UniFi-UAP-AC-LR-Dual-band-AC1350-450867Mb I'm guessing that it is better to go for dual band?

What is a UniFi controller? Do I need one?

Amanon

michaelmurfy

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#1722602 19-Feb-2017 11:55

Look at the UAP AP Pro (https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/uap-ac-pro.html) as it'll give you a little bit better performance. It is what I personally use.

Yes, you do need a UniFi controller to take full advantage of the AP's especially if you have a couple of them. More information on the controller Here. In my signature there is a link to the controller I host.

RunningMan

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#1722607 19-Feb-2017 12:18

How is your current express connected? If it's just repeating the wifi signal, the throughput will be rubbish, but if you can run ethernet cables back to your router (as you'd need to for UniFi) you should get a very significant improvement for not much outlay.

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Dulouz

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#1722621 19-Feb-2017 12:26

RunningMan:

How is your current express connected? If it's just repeating the wifi signal, the throughput will be rubbish, but if you can run ethernet cables back to your router (as you'd need to for UniFi) you should get a very significant improvement for not much outlay.

Yes- the express is just repeating. I will give what you suggest a try.

Amanon

Dulouz

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#1722622 19-Feb-2017 12:42

michaelmurfy:

Look at the UAP AP Pro (https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/uap-ac-pro.html) as it'll give you a little bit better performance. It is what I personally use.

Yes, you do need a UniFi controller to take full advantage of the AP's especially if you have a couple of them. More information on the controller Here. In my signature there is a link to the controller I host.

Thanks for the offer for the controller. Is there any risk that I'm opening my network up to by doing that?

Amanon

michaelmurfy

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#1722643 19-Feb-2017 13:36

Dulouz:

Thanks for the offer for the controller. Is there any risk that I'm opening my network up to by doing that?

No. It is secure and only you (and myself being the superadmin) have access to your site. There is a post regarding security on the thread.

JoeTurksta

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#1723745 21-Feb-2017 14:18

The Cloud Key is very cool too if you want your own controller, and with integration from anywhere into http://unifi.ubnt.com/ it's very simple and handy.

If you're not going for Unifi kit, you're either:

a) F*%king loaded

b) Mad.

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