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WolfChop

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#268543 25-Mar-2020 09:56
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Hey guys, I'm looking for the best way to set up my home network before we go into lock-down for at least the next four weeks.

 

Just a disclaimer that I'm not too familiar with home networking so please laymens terms it for me.

 

My two storey house has a garage cabinet that has the Chorus ONT and Ethernet cables routing to basically every room.

 

My current setup is: ONT to Spark supplied Modem Router in the same garage cabinet, with three of the Ethernet cables from the router to Living room upstairs, my room and a hardwired CCTV system.

 

The Living room is connected to an Amplifi HD Mesh Network, which I'm using to supply WiFi throughout the entire house. One repeater upstairs and one downstairs.

 

The Amplifi HD was actually from my old house and was optimal, but since I've moved to this new house I didn't want to spend anymore money on new equipment so used what I had.

 

But now some areas of the house aren't getting a strong WiFi signal so I want to try a better approach.

 

We have seven people all using multiple devices at once, so whatever solution has to be able to handle that.

 

 

 

From my limited research of networking, it seems the best way may be to set up separate access points in centralised locations in the house. I want to ask how I'd go about this and what APs people could recommend for me? Could I keep the same setup currently, but just replace the Amplifi HD with three different APs instead? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Stay safe guys!

 

 


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cyril7
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  #2446059 25-Mar-2020 10:03
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Hi, so are there any rooms where there are more than one data outlet going back to the garage hub. Also I take it you just have the one Amplifi HD

 

Cyril




1024kb
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  #2446063 25-Mar-2020 10:15
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Amplifi HD rocks, it's as close as you'll get to Enterprise grade equipment without the price & complicated setup.

If you simply add another mesh point or two to your existing setup you'll strengthen your Wifi network everywhere.




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cyril7
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  #2446064 25-Mar-2020 10:19
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Hi, Agree with Brett, and ensure you connect both Amplif units to the hub via ethernet not via mesh

 

Cyril




ShinyChrome
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  #2446066 25-Mar-2020 10:21
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At this point, it will be more like what you can get your hands on!

 

Personally, I would be inclined to remove that wireless back-haul first since it sounds you already have a lot of wiring. Can you connect the repeater and Amplifi via ethernet?


WolfChop

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  #2446068 25-Mar-2020 10:23
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cyril7:

 

Hi, so are there any rooms where there are more than one data outlet going back to the garage hub. Also I take it you just have the one Amplifi HD

 

Cyril

 

 

No. Each room only has one data outlet.

 

Yes, I have the one Amplifi HD with it's two repeaters.

 

I don't mind purchasing more equipment. I would ideally like a strong connection in four places: Upstairs bedroom, Upstairs lounge, Downstairs lounge, and Downstairs bedroom.

 

Was thinking that I could buy a switch, that goes from ONT to the four rooms and then just set up APs at each room. But I've noticed I can't access the CCTV system through my own computer without it being plugged into the modem router, although it's still viewable from the closet monitor which I assume is hardwired. So I assume I need to keep it plugged into the modem router and keep that router in the garage cabinet?

 

 


WolfChop

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  #2446071 25-Mar-2020 10:26
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ShinyChrome:

 

At this point, it will be more like what you can get your hands on!

 

Personally, I would be inclined to remove that wireless back-haul first since it sounds you already have a lot of wiring. Can you connect the repeater and Amplifi via ethernet?

 

 

The Amplifi HD is connected via Ethernet in the living room upstairs, but the repeaters themselves don't have an ethernet port - they simply plug into the wall?


 
 
 

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WolfChop

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  #2446073 25-Mar-2020 10:29
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1024kb: Amplifi HD rocks, it's as close as you'll get to Enterprise grade equipment without the price & complicated setup.

If you simply add another mesh point or two to your existing setup you'll strengthen your Wifi network everywhere.

 

I agree Amplifi HD rocks! It's dead simple to use and worked really well in my old house. I thought it might've been this new house really stretching it's limits.

 

More mesh points might be the way to go then.


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  #2446074 25-Mar-2020 10:32
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WolfChop:

 

The Amplifi HD is connected via Ethernet in the living room upstairs, but the repeaters themselves don't have an ethernet port - they simply plug into the wall?

 

 

Stink buzz!

 

It looks like you use additional Amplifi routers as APs via wired backhaul, adding a couple more of those in place of the repeaters would be the most straightforward route I would imagine?


cyril7
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  #2446077 25-Mar-2020 10:39
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Hi, more mesh points will only make it worse as they are using a common wireless backhaul, so not ideal, you would be better off with selling the AmpliFi and purchasing purhaps say 3 UniFi AC-Lite WAPs or maybe even three Inwall units thse have the advantage of having a wired ethernet port available as well. Just leave the Router in teh cabinet, turn its wireless off if you have already not, and maybe expand ports with a small switch if needed

 

Cyril

 

Edit, as Andrew says, adding a couple of Amplifi units in place of the remote units is probably a better $ option and will achieve the same as I mentioned above.


WolfChop

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  #2446080 25-Mar-2020 10:52
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cyril7:

 

Hi, more mesh points will only make it worse as they are using a common wireless backhaul, so not ideal, you would be better off with selling the AmpliFi and purchasing purhaps say 3 UniFi AC-Lite WAPs or maybe even three Inwall units thse have the advantage of having a wired ethernet port available as well. Just leave the Router in teh cabinet, turn its wireless off if you have already not, and maybe expand ports with a small switch if needed

 

Cyril

 

Edit, as Andrew says, adding a couple of Amplifi units in place of the remote units is probably a better $ option and will achieve the same as I mentioned above.

 

 

I'm heading to PBTech soon and unfortunately they don't have any more Amplifi routers in stock. Though they do have mesh points in stock.

 

How easy is it to set up these 3 UniFi AC-Lite WAPs? 

 

I just hear these have a little more complicated setup process than others. Thanks.


cyril7
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  #2446085 25-Mar-2020 11:02
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Hi, UniFi waps are very easy, I operate a cloud controller which you are welcome to use, that will make it even easier and I can do any hard parts for you, just DM me.

 

Cyril

 

Edit, be aware if you go for the InWall units you will need to also purchase a poe adaptor, the AC-Lites come with an injector unless you buy a 3pack


 
 
 

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).
Jase2985
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  #2446186 25-Mar-2020 12:25
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move the mesh points closer together. they need good signal between them too


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