How many devices will be connected?

What is the current internet connection, and your budget for the gear?

At any one time, probably 5-6 devices connected at once, 3 phones, Ipad, couple of other devices.

Most of the house is wired with Ethernet for TV's. computers etc..

Its a new house, Chorus are coming tomorrow, will be on Vodafone VDSL.

Cheers

LFCNZ:

 

At any one time, probably 5-6 devices connected at once, 3 phones, Ipad, couple of other devices.

 

 

 

Most of the house is wired with Ethernet for TV's. computers etc..

 

 

 

Its a new house, Chorus are coming tomorrow, will be on Vodafone VDSL.

 

 

 

Cheers

 

I would get an UAP-AC-LR https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/uap-ac-lr.html and mount it to the ceiling at the middle of the house, hard wired back to the router.

Possibly a single AP should be fine, but you can add more if required.

Most of the mesh solutions are just smoke and mirrors :)

Ok thanks, will look into one of these, are they pretty easy to setup?  Just plug into modem/router pretty much?

LFCNZ:

 

Ok thanks, will look into one of these, are they pretty easy to setup?  Just plug into modem/router pretty much?

 

You will need a controller setup first which can be done on any of the computers on the local network, but very easy setup for a single AP.

And the controller does not have to be running all the time unless you want some extra bits like guest network with landing page, vouchers, etc.

engedib:

 

I would get an UAP-AC-LR https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/uap-ac-lr.html and mount it to the ceiling at the middle of the house, hard wired back to the router.

 

Possibly a single AP should be fine, but you can add more if required.

 

Most of the mesh solutions are just smoke and mirrors :)

 

The one problem with this 'suck it and see' approach is that if it's determined post-install a single AP isn't adequate and a second is required, that central location (no doubt chosen to try to get coverage throughout the house) is probably no longer appropriate, and it may need to be shifted.

As such, I'd suggest if you're going to try a single AP, before you hard-wire it (Ethernet cables through holes in the ceiling etc!) try it out in the same location - it may be tricky to try to temporarily stick it on the ceiling, but even if you can get it as close to the final position as possible (on a ladder perhaps?) it will give you a chance to check out the performance throughout the house.

I did this when I put in a couple of APs; even after I decided to go with two after testing it with just one, I still did a bit of trialling to determine the best placement for both.

Then again, many others seem to have good results with mesh systems, so I would wait to hear a bit of feedback on these, as well as check out the many other threads on this exact topic!

jonathan18:

 

engedib:

 

I would get an UAP-AC-LR https://www.gowifi.co.nz/wireless/uap-ac-lr.html and mount it to the ceiling at the middle of the house, hard wired back to the router.

 

Possibly a single AP should be fine, but you can add more if required.

 

Most of the mesh solutions are just smoke and mirrors :)

 

 

The one problem with this 'suck it and see' approach is that if it's determined post-install a single AP isn't adequate and a second is required, that central location (no doubt chosen to try to get coverage throughout the house) is probably no longer appropriate, and it may need to be shifted.

 

As such, I'd suggest if you're going to try a single AP, before you hard-wire it (Ethernet cables through holes in the ceiling etc!) try it out in the same location - it may be tricky to try to temporarily stick it on the ceiling, but even if you can get it as close to the final position as possible (on a ladder perhaps?) it will give you a chance to check out the performance throughout the house.

 

I did this when I put in a couple of APs; even after I decided to go with two after testing it with just one, I still did a bit of trialling to determine the best placement for both.

 

Then again, many others seem to have good results with mesh systems, so I would wait to hear a bit of feedback on these, as well as check out the many other threads on this exact topic!

 

Yes, that's true, I was just assuming the testing part as I'm doing the same :)

As has been said, a single good quality central unit might be sufficient. The only way to find out is to try it. I have a Fritzbox 7390 mounted up very high, it covers my 150 square meter house, front and back garden, no problems, and the 7390 has a reputation of having fairly poor WiFi. You might just let a single average unit be put in, have it central and high up in a temporary install, and see how it goes. If it's not ok then look at other solutions.

Given you have Ethernet everywhere you don't need a mesh network as such. The easiest option is to put a few wireless access points in different parts of the house, but they'll have different SSIDs. Most phones only change access points when it can't received the current network, not when another is stronger. 

One of the more professional units that have a central controller would be nicer to use, but you're probably best getting someone in to set them up. 

Ok thanks, while I think of it, any suggestions on a good 12 port switch to work with a Vodafone VDSL modem, or a VDSL modem  that has 12 ports?  Will go to fibre once I can get it here, so probably a switch would be the best option?

Thanks

Actually only really need 8 ports, so this would be good.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHUBI0207/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-US-8-8-Port-Gigabit-Managed

LFCNZ:

 

Actually only really need 8 ports, so this would be good.

 

 

 

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHUBI0207/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-US-8-8-Port-Gigabit-Managed

 

 

 

 

 

Probably get the 60W one and you can power 4 devices from it (which can be APs, cameras, etc)

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHUBI10081/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-US-8-60W-8-Port-Gigabit-Mana