Do I need a mesh network?

logistopath

logistopath

Molar Police
Staff member
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I have moved to a new apartment recently, and am yet to get an internet connection. I will be applying for Airtel Xtream fiber connection, 200 mbps plan. The layout of my apartment is as below:
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It is not exactly to scale, but it should be within 10% of the actual dimensions. Now, it seems that the site marked 1 is the most accessible site for the fiber to be pulled into the house. I can place the ONT device and router over there. The TV in the hall should not have a problem accessing the network. However, I need good wifi in the rooms marked 2, 3 and 4.

1. Is there any possibility of a wifi extender helping me provide good wifi signals in these places? I have an Archer C7 with me. I need to buy extenders, if they will be suitable for my use case.
2. Would a mesh network be more appropriate in this case? If so, any suggestions on how many nodes will be required?
3. Would things be easier if the fiber is brought into the house through room 3?

The entire apartment has a floor area of around 950 sq.ft. Please suggest.
 
Go for a mesh for seamless movement across the house, extenders to my knowledge are not as seamless as MESh. you will need a two unit mesh One located next to the airtel router and another in room 3. if you would like to have obe more you can keep it room 2 also.

If the ONT device has a Network port you can directly connect your MESH to that and dont need any more routers etc.
 
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Update:
My Airtel Xstream fiber connection is in place, and the ONT device is an AOT5221zy, which supports WiFi6. It has been installed in location 1 in the layout given above. I am getting full signal strength (>95%) in room 2, and minimum 70% strength in room 3 (wifi strength was measured using some wifi analyser app on an android). Rooms 1 and 2 are getting full speeds of around 200 Mbps, while room 3 gets more than 150 Mbps consistently. These are better than what I expected.
Room 4, though, seems to be getting only around 40 to 50% signal strength, and the speeds are only reaching a max of around 80 Mbps. This is the room where my work set up is, and I would prefer if it receives the maximum strength and speed. Should I go ahead with the mesh plan?
 
logistopath said:
Update:
My Airtel Xstream fiber connection is in place, and the ONT device is an AOT5221zy, which supports WiFi6. It has been installed in location 1 in the layout given above. I am getting full signal strength (>95%) in room 2, and minimum 70% strength in room 3 (wifi strength was measured using some wifi analyser app on an android). Rooms 1 and 2 are getting full speeds of around 200 Mbps, while room 3 gets more than 150 Mbps consistently. These are better than what I expected.
Room 4, though, seems to be getting only around 40 to 50% signal strength, and the speeds are only reaching a max of around 80 Mbps. This is the room where my work set up is, and I would prefer if it receives the maximum strength and speed. Should I go ahead with the mesh plan?
Click to expand...
If you only need another router in one room, hold off on mesh.
You said you have an archer C7 right?
Check if it has easymesh support.
If yes, just get another cheap router/extender with easymesh support and install it in that room.

I have a similar setup with my AX53 covering 3 rooms and an AX10 covering the farthest room which is my home office.
Connection is seamless since both routers are from TPLink (although easymesh does work cross vendor, not sure how well though).
My backhaul is wired though. Wireless might need some adjustments regarding placement.

Oh and keep in mind, only the main WiFi connection is meshed with Easymesh. Guest and IoT networks aren't.
If you need those as well, you'll have to go for a ground up mesh solution like their Deco series.

You can also talk to Airtel and see if they have any mesh extenders for your ISP router.
Since you only need one, this would be cost effective as well.
 
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logistopath said:
Will check out both the options that you have suggested.

But it is wifi 5. Would that be a downgrade since the ONT is wifi 6?
Click to expand...
Ideally, no.

The major difference between 5 and 6 is managing load congestion. Since both use the same frequencies, and assuming you don't have multiple client devices loading the router at the same time, I don't foresee it being a downgrade.

That said, you can always just install the C7 and give it a test to check how it works in your setup.
 
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