Advice on how to set up my home network

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SomePostman

102 posts

Master Geek

#257190 19-Sep-2019 19:59

Hi all,

My home network works pretty well except for the WIFI, which drops and hangs a lot. I can get access to a couple of Google WiFI that might be a good solution for me and my 190sqm house.

My current arrangement:

200 mbps fibre with 2 Degrees, with a FRITZ!BOX 7490 plugged into the ONT. It's installed in a metal box in my garage, which is the opposite end of the house from where we spend time and the WiFI signal barely reaches. Also plugged into the LAN ports on this router are:
4 port switch with PoE to run my 3 security cameras (easier/cheaper than installing power in the ceiling)
TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Access point (using the network ports wired into my house) for my living area. This is the wireless network that gets the most use and according to online reviews it should be pretty good as an Access Point. But I have all kinds of issues with it and I'm always having to power cycle it and it's driving me crazy.
Another 4 port gigabit switch off one of the ports wired into my house, so that my PC and PS4 have an ethernet connection

Would two google WIFI help me achieve a better setup in my house? Would I still be better off using the LAN ports to my PS4 etc or will the wifi be almost as good? Advice wanted on how i can best arrange my network please :D

PJ48

162 posts

Master Geek

#2320694 19-Sep-2019 20:54

If you have network cabling installed you will always be better off running a decent access point from a centrally located ethernet port, rather than using a MESH solution like Google Wifi

cyril7

7827 posts

Uber Geek

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#2320696 19-Sep-2019 20:56

As pj45 said.

Cyril

rogercruse

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2320706 19-Sep-2019 21:11

I've got four Google WiFi pucks to provide MESH cover for my home (about the same size as yours). And I use ethernet cables to connect these pucks around my home with about 40+ devices connected with reserved IP address to reduce any conflicts on the network.

Setting up Google Wifi can be a bit of a nightmare and I found its easier to connect them one at a time with all the pucks in one room initially before moving them into their designated locations. Once setup the network is solid.

everettpsycho

146 posts

Master Geek

#2320707 19-Sep-2019 21:14

How many cables do you have to your main living area or somewhere more central from the media panel? If you have 2 cables you could always patch the ont in to one and relocate the Fritz box to your living area and then from one of the lan ports to get back to the media panel for distribution. It could help your WiFi problems for free.

If you have cabling as well you can always use wired backhaul on some mesh routers, I did it with some tenda routers and got good results. I was having a lot of issues running two ssids and they've all been resolved since installing the new routers.

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
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#2320759 19-Sep-2019 21:36

Sounds like you might have a configuration issue if the WiFi is dropping that much.

Certainly for a place that size I'd look at multiple aps rather than one.

As others have said if hardwired is an option do it.
Same for mesh products. They are good. But if you have the option to them backhaul over ethernet go for it.

Just remember a wireless ap of any sort is only as good as the worst device on it. Airtime dearness etc does Alot to stop devices pulling down the whole network though.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

darkasdes2

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2320777 19-Sep-2019 22:12

Get another Fritzbox 7490 and connect it via ethernet to the lounge area and use it in mesh mode to help with the wifi issues,

Got that setup at my place and it works really well

SomePostman

102 posts

Master Geek

#2320785 19-Sep-2019 22:29

Thank you all for your replies. So would it be a good arrangement to leave the fritz!box where it is in the garage and use it to manage the 4 wired connections?
1) switch in lounge with cables to PC, PS4 and tv
2) PoE switch in garage for security system
3) Google WiFi AP at one end of the house
4) second Google WiFi AP at other end of the house

Would I turn off the wifi from the fritzbox or can it mesh with the Google WiFi? Or if left on would it require a different SSID or it'll just interfere with the Google WiFi?

michaelmurfy

/dev/null
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#2320819 19-Sep-2019 23:10

If you're running the Fritz!Box you can actually wirelessly mesh this by purchasing one or more Fritz!Boxen from 2degrees - I believe they're $160 each. I've done this a few times and for a budget option, performance is actually really good. If you've also got phone via 2degrees all the Fritz!Boxen act as phone gateways too.

I personally wouldn't recommend Google WiFi as performance from them is pretty "meh" and being Google they do monitor internet use and send this back to the mothership.

Ubiquiti also make some very good products aimed towards the home user depending on how much money you're wanting to spend. If you go the full stack (eg - UniFi USG, UniFi PoE Switch and UniFi Access Points along with a Cloudkey) you're able to control your entire network from a single place. If you get the Cloudkey Pro then this acts as a camera NVR where you can add UniFi Video products to it also.

Going the UniFi route is dangerous - you can easily spend a couple of thousand dollars for a full setup with cameras etc.

Also if you've got a 200Mbit plan with 2degrees it may pay to check your plan options with them - they've lowered the cost of Gigabit recently so may be the same amount of money to switch to that.