Access point recommendations

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jonathan18

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Topic # 232195 4-Apr-2018 10:50

So I currently run a re-purposed router to extend the wifi network in our home (connected to the main router via Ethernet); I've read in a recent thread that this isn't a recommended solution in place of a proper AP, and so am interested in some recommendations for a decent but affordable AP to achieve the same result.

I also use the same second router as a switch, given its location behind the TV, so I also need to be able to plug a bunch of devices (eg Amazon Fire, Squeezebox) into the wired network at this same point as well as provide decent wifi to that end of the house. It seems like there aren't a huge number of APs that also have a few Ethernet ports, so what are my best options in this regard?

Any advice and/or recommendations appreciated.

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Reply # 1988096 4-Apr-2018 10:54

You can obviously still use the repurposed router as a switch or if you need another port once the access point is connected you can buy a cheap 5 or 8 port for $20 or so.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1988104 4-Apr-2018 11:04

Spyware:

You can obviously still use the repurposed router as a switch or if you need another port once the access point is connected you can buy a cheap 5 or 8 port for $20 or so.

Yeah, I wondered that; but can the AP connect to the "switch" (old router), therefore not require additional Ethernet ports, or does the switch need to connect to the AP (in which case I assume it needs to have a second Ethernet port, which doesn't appear to be as common)? Thanks...

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Dynamic

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Reply # 1988156 4-Apr-2018 12:36

jonathan18:

So I currently run a re-purposed router to extend the wifi network in our home (connected to the main router via Ethernet); I've read in a recent thread that this isn't a recommended solution in place of a proper AP, and so am interested in some recommendations for a decent but affordable AP to achieve the same result.

If it works for you, and you are prepared to support it, keep it as is.

Would I do that for one of my commercial clients? No. We would do it 'properly' for them which means it is easier to support.

Would I do it at home? I have done so in the past quite successfully.

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jonathan18

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Reply # 1988217 4-Apr-2018 14:14

Dynamic:

If it works for you, and you are prepared to support it, keep it as is.

Would I do that for one of my commercial clients? No. We would do it 'properly' for them which means it is easier to support.

Would I do it at home? I have done so in the past quite successfully.

Yeah, I've been running a second AP like this for many years now, and it's not always been smooth sailing though I've always managed to sort it out - I'm wondering if changing to a dedicated AP would help reduce these occasional issues. Also, we're experiencing significant problems with our internet at the moment; primarily this is a wifi issue (connects fine to either the router or AP, but just has no internet access; we are now sometimes having even the same problem with devices connected via Ethernet), and I'm pretty sure it originates with the router which will be replaced soon with another HG659B, when we switch ISPs. I'd wondered, though, whether there was any chance these problems may have originated with the use of the router as an AP.

Perhaps I'm best to wait until the new router's set up, and see if any of the problems reoccur; if so, come back and re-visit this?

Dynamic

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Reply # 1988446 4-Apr-2018 22:16

Sounds like a smart plan. Hopefully the new ISP router will come with AC-spec WiFi for better coverage.

I've never found ISP-supplier routers to be particularly reliable, and have generally replaced them within 2 years.

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Dratsab

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Reply # 1988465 4-Apr-2018 23:12

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I switched my router relatively recently to a Grandstream GWN7000 recently thanks to @michaelmurfy and have the GWN7610 AP. I've got nothing but good things to say about it. It's a rock solid AP which just keeps working and gives me superb coverage throughout my 2 storey house and all round my 1/4 section.

networkn

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Reply # 1988466 4-Apr-2018 23:36

Not cost effective, but we have been extremely impressed with the Cambium gear. It's cloud management console is the best we have seen and the ability to preconfigure a device without taking it out of the box and then ship it to a client who plugs it in and it downloads it's config, is amazing.

Range is as good as anything else in the same price range.

Support has been responsive and knowledgeable.

Would recommend without hesitation.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1988566 5-Apr-2018 09:32

I did a bit of digging into potential APs, trying to stay under say $200, and came across a Linksys device that also operates as a switch (four ports) - how does this sort of unit stack up? https://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=426114

My concern for these types of units are they’re still home-grade and may last as long as our earlier solutions, which made me think about a Ubiquiti Unifi AP AC LR, which still comes in under $200. Two concerns for me on this: are they easy enough for an amateur with an ok level of networking knowledge to install, and how effective are they if mounted vertically on a wall? (I’d struggle to get it on the ceiling as current Ethernet cabling is under-house, and it’s an old house with 3m to the ceiling). Alternatively, can I simply place it horizontally where the current router is (sitting on a TV/audio cabinet), acknowledging it’s not going to be as good a signal as ceiling-mounted, but still hopefully better/more reliable than an entry-level model?

Thanks again for any advice...

networkn

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Reply # 1988567 5-Apr-2018 09:34

The linksys would still be prosumer at best. Personally, I'd save for longer and get something at a higher price range. Put it this way... In a year will you remember the $100 extra ? In a year of trouble free wifi will you remember you paid more?

In my view you would be better with a second hand cambium or similar than a brand new linksys, netgear etc.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1988601 5-Apr-2018 09:57

Dratsab: I switched my router relatively recently to a Grandstream GWN7000 recently thanks to @michaelmurfy and have the GWN7610 AP. I've got nothing but good things to say about it. It's a rock solid AP which just keeps working and gives me superb coverage throughout my 2 storey house and all round my 1/4 section.

Thanks for this. Sorry, I didn’t see this post earlier! That model AP does seem like a suitable option but, I assume, given its design will come with the same questions I have on the Unifi re its effectiveness if installed in locations other than the ceiling.

I’m not sure whether we’d get away with a single AP, given our section (and house) is relatively long and not terribly wide, plus we have an external home theatre/lounge at the back of the section. Potentially, if we had a ceiling-mounted Unifi or Grandstream AP we would get give good coverage for the whole house at least, and we could rely on the WiFi from the HG659 for the back yard/HT, as we do currently...

jonathan18

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Reply # 1988633 5-Apr-2018 10:03

networkn:
The linksys would still be prosumer at best. Personally, I'd save for longer and get something at a higher price range. Put it this way... In a year will you remember the $100 extra ? In a year of trouble free wifi will you remember you paid more?

In my view you would be better with a second hand cambium or similar than a brand new linksys, netgear etc.

I’d have thought the Unifi or Grandstream would be in that next category of quality? Minding the cost as my wife is to be made redundant in a couple of months, but yeah get your point that reduced hassle/longer-lasting products make it worth spending a bit more up-front. It’s finding that sweet spot, I guess, and if I can work out the install issues or say the Grandstream then that’ll may be the appropriate point.

I had also debated whether a mesh solution would be worth it, but given we have Ethernet in different parts of the house I’m not so sure it’s necessary, given i understand it comes with other issues...

Spyware

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Reply # 1988635 5-Apr-2018 10:04

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Using Linksys device is no different to using any repurposed router.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1988727 5-Apr-2018 12:24

Ok, after a bit more research and thinking, my current thoughts are to try a single Grandstream GWN7610 AP and see if that provides adequate coverage over the whole section. I think this is a better option over the Unifis in that it doesn’t require the hassle of running special software on a server, which is overkill in our case as we’ll be running only one or two of them and for typical home usage.

@michaelmurfy, if I was to purchase two of these units, would I get seamless handover when moving through the house? It’s one of the worst things of the current setup, as we often have to manually force a device to shift to the closer/stronger AP.

Also, if I go with PoE rather than the standard power adapter (logical as I may end up shifting its location to the ceiling), do I have to buy the Grandstream-branded model (eg https://www.gowifi.co.nz/power/gspoe.html, or are there generic/cheaper options?

Many thanks.

Edit: can I also confirm whether it’s worth paying the additional $35 for the 7610 over the 7600? I note the key difference is 3x MIMO rather than 2, so I assume potentially higher throughput, but I’m not sure of the impact of this in the real world. (Our situation is usually no more than four devices using wireless intensively at any one time, but this could potentially be say 4x HD video streams as a worst-case scenario.)

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1988745 5-Apr-2018 12:57

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@jonathan18 If you can - it is worth getting the GWN7610 - more devices are on WiFi these days so why not futureproof yourself? Basically you'll end up with one master AP and one slave (which is controlled from the master). It'll do seamless roaming between the access points also.

Regarding the PoE injector you either need this or a PoE switch. The Grandstream ones are pretty cheap.

Another solution is the UniFi range as I have a controller for this reason people can use but the Grandstream is better value for money.

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jonathan18

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Reply # 1988753 5-Apr-2018 13:11

Thanks, @michaelmurfy, you’ve convinced me and now it’s my job to convince my wife! May start with one and see how that goes - could be it’ll do the whole house, but I think I’d rather go to a second Grandstream given that'll sort out the roaming issue rather than stick with using the Huawei if we do need a second WiFi source...

Re PoE injectors: any particular risks with going for something from eBay, eg https://www.ebay.com/itm/48V-0-5A-PoE-Power-Injector-PoE-Power-Supply-Switch-Wall-Plug-AU-Adapter-Adaptor/252435259165?hash=item3ac6505f1d:g:Kt4AAOSwmtJXa8so?

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