Ground floor or first floor for wireless access point?

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danepak

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#262217 10-Jan-2020 20:25

We’re having a 2-storey house built.
I’ve asked for CAT6 cable upstairs in ceiling and also ground floor ceiling.
For best coverage, would I install it in ground floor ceiling?
Does the signal travel up as well?
I’ve got a Cambium E410 wireless access point.

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#2389860 10-Jan-2020 20:41

The signal is typically formed like a donut, but just remember that every wall or joist etc will attenuate the signal, so get another cable and wire for both as you may end up needing or wanting another AP in future.

As you're building, now is the time to add cables while it's still easy!

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danepak

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#2389904 10-Jan-2020 21:01

Thanks.
Yep, we already have a cable for each floor in the ceiling.
It’s not a big house (total of 146m2), so just over 70m per floor.

But if you had to pick one only, it would be in the ceiling downstairs, right?
(And then another one in ceiling upstairs, if it’s not adequate)

Jase2985

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#2389911 10-Jan-2020 21:18

where do you spend most of the time on wireless devices? where would you notice the lower signal more?

sparkz25

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#2389912 10-Jan-2020 21:18

insane: The signal is typically formed like a donut, but just remember that every wall or joist etc will attenuate the signal, so get another cable and wire for both as you may end up needing or wanting another AP in future.

As you're building, now is the time to add cables while it's still easy!

Not only is it easy, it's far cheaper to install the cable now that late on!

If I was you I would go buy a couple of rolls of cat6 and run 2 to every room or location that you think that you might like a data outlet.

You could just leave them coiled up in the wall behind the PowerPoint for future use and then install the jacks later on when you need them.

danepak

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#2389913 10-Jan-2020 21:20

Jase2985:
where do you spend most of the time on wireless devices? where would you notice the lower signal more?

We’ve got bedrooms upstairs and living room downstairs, so will spend an equal amount of time either floor (more or less).

Jase2985

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#2389916 10-Jan-2020 21:23

put in 2 access points then

we spend most of out time in the living areas but put a second access point up the bedroom end of the house to boost the signal

danepak

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#2389917 10-Jan-2020 21:27

The thing is that it’s not a big house.
Each floor is approx 10 x 7 metres.
So the very furthest you’ll be from the wireless access point is 5 metres, if it’s installed in the centre of the house.
I don’t think we need additional access points in rooms.

Jase2985

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#2389965 11-Jan-2020 08:08

all depends on the layout of each floor and now many walls/floor the signal has to go through. more than 2 walls or 1 floor really kills 5GHz wifi.

maybe post up the floor plan

cyril7

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#2389969 11-Jan-2020 08:30

Hi, i would go with two, reason is just not coverage, but also capacity. With two you are way more assured of coverage so no regretting spending that 0.1-0.2% of your budget extra, and with two APs and over time more devices you will end up with way better performance as the load is potentially shared.

Cyril

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#2389980 11-Jan-2020 09:12

Personally I would make sure you wire every bedroom. While you may never use it it is SO cheap to do while building, and so much more expensive one the build is done.

2 ethernet outlets near power per bedroom where a desk would logically sit.

4 ethernet + 1 RG6 Coax for DTT or Sky behind every TV.

1 Ethernet per floor in the hallway or above the stairs for an AP. As others have said I would put an AP per level.

All going back to a patch panel somewhere inside your house not in the garage as they are not insulated areas so will get hot and cold with the weather with a decent enough space for airflow. Ideally with 2 x Double plugs mounted horizontally. Or make sure you purchase a powerboard with "transformer spacing" so that you can plug in the power for the ONT + Router + Switch which all typically have a wide brick power supply.

Then also make sure you have a duct from the street all the way to the patch panel so that fibre can be easily blown in.

and

danepak

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#2390123 11-Jan-2020 10:27

Jase2985:
all depends on the layout of each floor and now many walls/floor the signal has to go through. more than 2 walls or 1 floor really kills 5GHz wifi.

maybe post up the floor plan

As you’ll see on the floor plan, the WiFi signal wouldn’t have to travel through more than one wall.
I was thinking of having it in the ceiling on the ground floor above the dining room table.
(The garage will actually be a room as well, but again, only one wall for the signal to travel through).

Does the wireless signal travel up as well from an AP? So basically if it’s in the ceiling downstairs, does it also travel up to the rooms on the 1st floor?
We have mid floor insulation. Approx 20cm.

Jase2985

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#2390177 11-Jan-2020 10:44

it also has to travel through the floor :)

also think of the angle of the signal from a downstairs ceiling mounted one, its going to have to go through quiet a few floor joists when traveling through the floor. unless you are right above it.

but honestly just get 2

RunningMan

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#2390178 11-Jan-2020 10:53

Put the wiring in for two while you can, it's just cheaper and easier.

If you've already got the AP, once the place is built, just try it in each location and see what works best for you. If you find one isn't enough, then add an extra one then. The signal can and will travel through a wooden floor, but at the cost of reduce the strength of signal. You can't really tell if it will be problematic until you try it.

If the build is still under way though, make sure there is enough room in whatever comms cabinet you specify to fit everything you need in there.

danepak

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#2390180 11-Jan-2020 11:02

Thanks.
Yep, already have cabling ready for 2 wireless APs.
Just hope I can get away with installing one. But worst case scenario, I’ll just buy an extra one.

RunningMan

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#2390183 11-Jan-2020 11:09

I did a similar instal for family a while back, using a single AP central downstairs. Downstairs coverage was fine, but upstairs was marginal on 5 GHz. Connect rate was around 40-50 Mb/s so actual throughput less than that but it was fine for the actual devices being used in that area. You'll know if it's not enough once you start using the place.

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