help with installing a wi fi unit in the garage

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › help with installing a wi fi unit in the garage

minge76

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#273371 18-Aug-2020 22:19

Hi All

I am in need of help in finding a devise that will give me a wi-fi signal in my garage as part of my home network,

currently i have run a CAT6 from my house to the garage and i have a POE switch in the garage which i have a CCTV camera/printer/NAS but i would like wi-fi as the signal is poor from the house,

I have purchased a few access points from TM

https://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/networking-modems/wireless-networking/routers/listing-2742366193.htm?rsqid=5500e5db65b04d1da5865d5a998bdaab-001

https://www.aerohiveworks.com/Aerohive-AP330.asp but unfortunately i 'assumed' these would somewhat easyish to set up but found out these require licences etc or re-configuring and this is just a bit complex for me to set up,

most of my knowledge comes from google and you tube tutorials etc so my knowledge is limited,

Is there a devise that is a bit more easier to install which does no required licencing etc, as this is all part of my cov19 house garage revamp i was just looking to spend the minimum, i dont mind getting 2nd hand etc, and ideally would work along side my house modem so when i went from the house to the garage would switch signals over automatically if poss

hope you can help

cheers Tom

kiwipeter

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#2544047 18-Aug-2020 22:27

Powerline Wi-Fi kit? This can be configured to clone your existing wireless SSID to enlarge your network.

There are a few on the market, example

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETTPL0422/TP-Link-TL-WPA4220-KIT-AV600-Powerline-Kit-with-N3?qr=GShopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-drE7MSk6wIVQqaWCh0LagQnEAQYAiABEgLzbvD_BwE

elpenguino

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#2544073 18-Aug-2020 22:49

I'm sure the experts will chip in but you can try setting your access points to all use the same SSID. If that works you'll be able to roam from house to garage with no worries.

Personally I'm using these access points which can run the same SSID(s) across all your units on the same LAN. They also have some free management software which lets you centrally manage them.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

nztim

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#2544083 18-Aug-2020 23:25

I would suggest a proper access point solution, if you use two access points on the same SSID they may shut down due to each other thinking there is a rogue AP on the network

One of the best bangs for buck is the Aruba Instant on series, my only
gripe with them is the only desktop version the AP11D is 2x2 only

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

richms

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#2544088 18-Aug-2020 23:58

Unifi is the easiest option. Dont get the old used ones tho, they are out of support within a year.

Richard rich.ms

nztim

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#2544149 19-Aug-2020 07:53

richms:

Unifi is the easiest option. Dont get the old used ones tho, they are out of support within a year.

I love Unifi's but you need a controller, the Instant On is cloud based

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2544186 19-Aug-2020 08:24

nztim:

I love Unifi's but you need a controller, the Instant On is cloud based

After initial setup, the Controller is only required for some features such as the guest portal. If you just want them to function as access points you don't need to keep it running.

I've reconfigured mine twice since the original UniFi APs came out (2011?). Once to add a second AP, and the other to add another network for IoT. In both cases, I just installed a new Controller, reset the APs and reconfigured.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

nztim

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#2544191 19-Aug-2020 08:36

SirHumphreyAppleby:

nztim:

I love Unifi's but you need a controller, the Instant On is cloud based

After initial setup, the Controller is only required for some features such as the guest portal. If you just want them to function as access points you don't need to keep it running.

I've reconfigured mine twice since the original UniFi APs came out (2011?). Once to add a second AP, and the other to add another network for IoT. In both cases, I just installed a new Controller, reset the APs and reconfigured.

Doesn't the controller need to be online to confirm the other AP is not rogue ?

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

rp1790

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#2544346 19-Aug-2020 12:33

Just plug one of these into your switch in the Garage and you can configure it in minutes with the mobile app. They work very well and are as cheap as chips.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NAPTPL0225/TP-Link-Omada-EAP225-MU-MIMO-Dual-Band-AC1350-4508

Personally I'd give it a new SSID, when you are near the garage it'll (phones and devices) attach to the strongest signal anyway.

1101

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#2544446 19-Aug-2020 13:49

elpenguino:

I'm sure the experts will chip in but you can try setting your access points to all use the same SSID. If that works you'll be able to roam from house to garage with no worries.

Some devices simply dont roam properly
With my tablet , I had to turn off wifi then back on to make sure it connected to the nearest Access Point , when I used the same SSID on 2 AP's .

minge76

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#2544742 19-Aug-2020 21:35

hey a big thank you to the help received, 😊

I should of said that in the future the garage could be used as a rumpus room for the kids/teens so strong wi-fi would be needed,

and i hope to be streaming music as i potter along with my projects in the garage, and the garden table backs onto the garage so the wife will require a seamless online shopping experience

The TP LINK OMADA and the UBIQUITI UNIFI both keep poping their heads up and looks like something i will look intro, hopefully i can pick one up on trademe,

I wish i came here first before buying endless units from TM in the hope they would work

Kiwifruta

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#2544930 20-Aug-2020 09:34

I have a couple of unifis access points, just configured them as standalone devices on the iPhone UniFi app. Works fine. The controller is when you want to log in to one interface to configure all UniFi devices (gateway device, switch, access points etc) and also offers the option of doing so remotely. But with your use case, which is the same as mine, all configuration and firmware updates can be down via the app, no need for a controller.