Does Vodafone have an equivalent to Spark Smart Mesh?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Does Vodafone have an equivalent to Spark Smart Mesh?

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#272723 12-Jul-2020 07:25

Asking for a client whose business is spread over 3.5 levels & littered with networking solutions of the moment. As a result, there's 4 different Wifi networks each covering part of the location, all on different hardware & none interlinked. Users have to change network regularly depending on whether they're upstairs or down, & this side or that side of the building. *Sigh*

Can I think of a better solution? Yes, yes I can. According to respected commentators here on Geekzone, Spark Smart Mesh is highly recommended. The business has been Vodafone forever, it makes things easier if they have an equivalent product. Anyone know?

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sidders80

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#2521336 12-Jul-2020 07:31

This may be?

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/accessoryDetails.jsp?skuId=sku1663145

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sbiddle

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#2521341 12-Jul-2020 08:20

How many devices and people? The solution isn't a Spark mesh solution or anything like that - it's to get a proper network audit done by an IT expert, properly plan out a proper wireless network and (presumably) fix Ethernet which they would presumably have as well if they are so big.

Another band aid solution isn't going to be a fix for current band aid solutions. They simply need to spend $$ and do things properly.

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#2521344 12-Jul-2020 08:38

sbiddle:

How many devices and people? The solution isn't a Spark mesh solution or anything like that - it's to get a proper network audit done by an IT expert, properly plan out a proper wireless network and (presumably) fix Ethernet which they would presumably have as well if they are so big.

Another band aid solution isn't going to be a fix for current band aid solutions. They simply need to spend $$ and do things properly.

They got this way through organic change I guess, and most people just not paying attention, and want something more. So precisely what Steve said, but it also isn’t need as heavy as it sounds.

1. don’t bother with the telcos for inbuilding suppport. They will only care if they are going to sell you something new, and even then it will be half baked unless you are a corporate spending up large. And even then it will still be half baked.

2. don’t just dump everything without taking stock of what you do have

3. don’t be cheap and try to redesign via a usergroup like GKZ for free. There are many experienced participants here but just as many who are not. None can help with tiny vague descriptions. You wouldn’t reclad your house with randoms off the street, why would you redo your core IT this way?

4. One way or another, the org is going to be spending money. If they don’t accept it, you have found the problem. But you can work the solution and time the changes.

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#2521347 12-Jul-2020 08:50

As Steve has asked, how many users and devices are there larger than typical work loads?

You say it's a business then a mesh solution like sparks is not appropriate as it's a residential solution.

Can cabling be run between floors if not why not, it's a business to work effectively you need correct solutions.

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#2521384 12-Jul-2020 11:01

This is a great opportunity to apply the five whys.

- "Why does your client think they need a Vodafone solution like the Spark Mesh?"
- "Because they have problems with their network in a large building"

- "Why do they have problems with their network in a large building?"
- "Because they have a mishmash of wireless solutions covering the area"

- "Why do they have a mishmash of wireless solutions covering the area?"
- "Because over the years they kept extending coverage without taking in consideration their actual needs"

- "Why did they keep extending coverage without taking in consideration their actual needs?"
- "Because they never seriously looked into IT - and network as an extension - as a fundamental need of their business"

And so on - obviously the answers to these questions will vary in each specific case but you need to find out why things are bad as they are and fix that. It could well be they never had time to stop and plan so just patched things instead of seriously looking at a single, professionally designed and deployed, business-grade solution.

We can tell you here "Use this mesh solution" or "I have this at home" or something else. But a three-level building with business users is not the same as a consumer solution.

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#2521396 12-Jul-2020 11:20

I don't have any experience with these products, but their version seems to be here..

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/broadband/ultrahub-modem/

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/accessory/product-details/?skuId=sku2052918&hardwareType=accessory

Seems to operate on the same pretense. based on the description of the repeater and what it does though it sounds a little less mesh like.. and more like one of the old crappy retransmitters.

As others have said though, for a business, i'd recommend a business grade solution, Particularly one that is over multiple floors. Doesn't sound like a Small Business that the smart mesh ideally caters to.

When you grow in device numbers, the Simplicity of "Mesh" products roaming tends to loose out over the raw capacity of having multiple separate AP's with Enterprise wireless roaming.

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

freitasm

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#2521397 12-Jul-2020 11:22

^^^^^

Reading the description you definitely don't want "Repeater Mode if the Booster is wirelessly connected to a modem and no device is connected to the ethernet ports."

Wireless repeaters cause more trouble than needed. And in a setting with lots of users over a large area there will be chaos.