Home network using Ubiquiti AmpliFi Router with Google Wifi on Fibre

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Brute

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Wannabe Geek

#255744 27-Aug-2019 10:35

Hello all,

I'm in the process of setting up a home network with both wired cat6 connections along with the google wifi mesh using a new fibre connection Im about to have installed.

I would appreciate some advice/tips if anyone has a similar setup.

I purchased the Ubiquity AmliFi router in an attempt to improve my service from the Vodafone provided modem/router and already owned the google wifi so hope to utilise that further.

From the research I've done thus far is this is where I need help is my setup might be:

Fibre --> Ubiquiti Router --> Google Wifi main hub --> Switch --> Patch panel --> Cat6 to rooms --> 3x Google wifi routers

I may have this completely wrong.

Ideally I would like the Ubiquity and the Google wifi to broadcast the same mesh, but I dont know if I can.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Vodafone is the provider.

Kind regards

sbiddle

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#2306647 27-Aug-2019 10:52

Why are you trying to incorporate AmpliFi and Google WiFi into the same network? They're both the same thing.

Brute

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2306660 27-Aug-2019 11:11

Hi Thanks for the comment.

I have a large 250sq meter home with 2 stories and already owned the google wifi.

I bought the Ubiquiti as a replacement for the modem/router from Vodafone with the hope it would improve performance.

If I didnt already own the google wifi I would have purchased the Ubiquiti AP points to go with the Ubiquiti router.

I figured if I can use the two inconjunction, I would gain an extra wireless point, larger mesh, I may be incorrect.

Would I better to ditch the ubiquiti router and buy an extra wireless point for the Google for better coverage?

I wasnt sure if I could have the fibre go directly into the google wifi as I previously had Fibre of cable into the vodafone router.

Thanks

bignose

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#2306751 27-Aug-2019 14:26

If it was me i'd run a proper router where the ONT and switch are (edgerouter er-x is super cheap and capable) and then just use both the Amplifi and google box in simple access point mode hung off the switch. Better managability and cleaner cabling.

The amplifi can just about keep up with gigabit fibre - but it's user friendly app based management is also it's greatest limit - fine for basic stuff, anything advanced is impossible.

Brute

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2306765 27-Aug-2019 14:41

Thank you for the reply Bignose.

I figured the AmplFi would be easier for me to use, not really looking for anything too advanced other than basic home network functionality.

I guess I can disable wirless on the Amplifi so it acts as just a router and use the Google wifi for the mesh.

Was hoping the two could work together to provide better coverage but thinking now maybe not :(

bignose

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#2306767 27-Aug-2019 14:48

Brute:

Thank you for the reply Bignose.

I figured the AmplFi would be easier for me to use, not really looking for anything too advanced other than basic home network functionality.

I guess I can disable wirless on the Amplifi so it acts as just a router and use the Google wifi for the mesh.

Was hoping the two could work together to provide better coverage but thinking now maybe not :(

the amplifi (if it's an Afi-R-HD 'cube' not the new 'instant') actually has better wifi than the google unit - afi-r-hd is 3x3 mu-mimo (ac1900), google wifi is 2x2 (ac1200).

Try running the amplifi as the router and see how you get on - if you never need the more esoteric settings you'll probably be fine

I doubt you'll get seamless roaming (.11k/v/r) working between the two though - If you really want seamless I'd sell the google wifi and run a 2nd afi-r-hd using wired backhaul mode to the main one.

Brute

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2306772 27-Aug-2019 14:52

Yeah tempted now to sell the Google wifi.

If I didnt already have them I would have purchased the additional access points to go with the AmpliFi.

Might see how they go, if no luck might sell.

Thanks

HP

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bignose

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#2306775 27-Aug-2019 15:02

If I didnt already have them I would have purchased the additional access points to go with the AmpliFi.

watch out - the amplifi 'meshpoints' are wireless backhaul ONLY (and they're not triband either so no dedicated backhaul radio either - slow as a result).

If you can run cable you're much better off using multiple afi-r-hd 'cubes' and wired backhaul. You can also use the 'instant' router as a wired meshpoint off the cube, but the saving over the cube is so tiny it'd be silly to do it unless size/shape was also an issue (instant is less visually intrusive)

BarTender

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#2307145 28-Aug-2019 09:38

If you have the opportunity to have wired APs rather than mesh do that.

Mesh in general is a horrid solution only good when you absolutely have no other options. Using Powerline/Ethernet over power is a better solution to mesh.

It does sound like you have a newer house that is already wired with Ethernet around the house so use that.

If you have a single AP centrally located on the ceiling on each floor then you should have no problems with coverage.

Brute

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2307179 28-Aug-2019 10:56

Thank you BarTender.

Im currently running ethernet throughout the house so thoughts were that I could have the ethernet plug in the wall in each room and then plug the google wifi into each of the ethernet wall plugs.

My theory was and im probably wrong, was that by having the wired connection around the house as much as possible, i could then simply have the google wifi devices then plugged into the ethernet plug, with the hopes I would get a better connection to each google device.

Thought was i could also have a small switch plugged in if i needed more than one device, ie ps4 and computer.

thanks for any advice.

BarTender

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#2307194 28-Aug-2019 11:14

My rule of thumb with new builds / re-wiring when adding / updating wired connections.

2 x Ethernet outlets per bedroom near / next to where the power outlets are in a logical place a desk would sit in the bedroom.

4 x Ethernet outlets in offices as you could have phone + desktop + printer

4 x Ethernet outlets in living room spaces behind the TV if it's mounted to the wall, and another 4 on the other wall if the room gets re-organised or if you wanted an AV system somewhere else in the room than where the TV is.

2 x Ethernet and Power in the ceiling in AV / Living room if you ever plan to go down the projector path.

Single RG6 COAX cable if you ever wanted terrestrial TV or Sky (who knows?) per living room.

Single ethernet in the ceiling in the space centrally located for Access Points that would be PoE and ceiling mounted.

And all of this goes back to a patch frame where the Fibre for the ONT will also be pulled to. So ducting that you can then push the fibre through to that point is really useful.

Brute

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2307243 28-Aug-2019 12:33

Thank you heaps BarTender, thats a good guide and alot more than I had currrently considered.

Luckily I can still add a few of the suggestions :)

Thank you.

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nitro

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#2307341 28-Aug-2019 14:58

Brute:

Thank you BarTender.

Im currently running ethernet throughout the house so thoughts were that I could have the ethernet plug in the wall in each room and then plug the google wifi into each of the ethernet wall plugs.

My theory was and im probably wrong, was that by having the wired connection around the house as much as possible, i could then simply have the google wifi devices then plugged into the ethernet plug, with the hopes I would get a better connection to each google device.

Thought was i could also have a small switch plugged in if i needed more than one device, ie ps4 and computer.

thanks for any advice.

don't have one to confirm, but i think this is doable, i.e. your theory is NOT wrong.

however, there is this curious thing about google wifi that they need to be setup using wireless backhaul. after which, you can deploy them to your desired locations for them and you have multiple access points with wired backhaul.

Google Wifi Update: Connect Remote Units Via Ethernet

bignose

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#2307365 28-Aug-2019 15:16

Brute:

Im currently running ethernet throughout the house so thoughts were that I could have the ethernet plug in the wall in each room and then plug the google wifi into each of the ethernet wall plugs.

unless your house has solid concrete walls one AP per room is not only overkill, you'll probably end up getting worse wifi for the clients due to power levels/channel overlap.

the correct way to do this would be to put one upstairs, do a site survey and then work out what the coverage is like and where the deadspots are - then adjust placement/add units as required.

Given the minimal manageability on the google wifi if you do need multiple APs to get coverage, I'd definitley start thinking about proper APs with decent management and also the ability to tune 2.4ghz and 5ghz power levels to minimise crosstalk

Brute

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2307379 28-Aug-2019 15:43

Thank you Bignose,

I will do as you recommend and put one google wifi upstairs and test before adding the second. It is a rather large area, (4 rooms around 100 sqm) and the APs would be roughly 20 meters apart.

Also thank you Nitro, I will have a read and learn a bit more about Backhaul.

Much thanks

wratterus

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#2307383 28-Aug-2019 15:53

I've not read right through the entire thread so sorry if this has already been mentioned.

Do you need the Vodafone landline to work?

Using mesh equipment when you have CAT6 run around is not really ideal. Yes you can re-configure them to do what you want, but it's quite clunky.

IMO in the long run you'd be better off selling the mesh gear off, and get a system that is designed from the ground up for what you are doing - like the Uniquiti UniFi range. If you can't ceiling mount the APs, then Ubiquiti make great little UniFi in-wall APs that you could install 2 or 3 of.

A USG or Edgerouter would make a great router.