WiFi Mesh System Advice?

[ColRPrice]

I've recently had vodafone high speed fibre installed after a long and not successful time with Virgin Media. My challenge is I have an old three story Victorian house with thick brick walls and getting the wifi signal from the router to the requirred rooms is proving a challenge. I have the 500 download speed and its very good in the room and around the room where there are open spaces to get it through. Upstairs though I am struggling with getting 60 mbps on the next floor and 40 on the top floor.

I am told the best solution over extenders and boosters is a 3 node mesh system. I have the normal black hub not the pro version so I believe I can only use wifi5 mesh systems? You probably can tell I am not a techie or know that much about the technology. What would be a good brand to go with like TP-Link or Linksys with three units to get the coverage ? Someone in the vodafone shop said a good choice is the Linksys Velop WHW03036 AC2200. Is it as simple as plug them in and follow an app to link them all together? Hope so, I wouldn't have a clue to start changing settings . Am I right in saying that a wifi 6 mesh system will not work properly with my current hub/router? Thanks for any advice....

[Cynric]

@ColRPrice  If the house wiring is OK you may be able to achieve the same with PowerLine adaptors as some of them have WiFi.

[Jayach]

As you are on FTTP, you can replace the Vodafone router completely.

You will, however, lose easy access to the phone service.

[Ukdavid]

I’ve got similar question, only difference is on regular high speed internet connection not full fibre. 

Can’t put the Vodafone router into bridge mode I believe, so not sure how best to get a mesh network running

Heard you can just set the mesh units to Access Point mode, but I’m unclear if there’s a downside of doing that. Anyone know? Or is this the solution

(Losing the home phone isn’t an option, need it for home business)

[Jayach]

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@Ukdavid wrote:

Heard you can just set the mesh units to Access Point mode, but I’m unclear if there’s a downside of doing that. Anyone know? Or is this the solution

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Yes you can do that. (make sure Access Point mode is available on your chosen mesh, it may not be on all)

That will give you all the benefits of the mesh Wi-Fi, but you wont be able to use any advanced routing functions it may have.

[Ukdavid]

Thanks so much really appreciate the info! Just to make sure I understand, when we’re talking about advanced router functionality I’d lose (it’s TP Link XE75’s), are we just talking things like those optional parental controls, guest network function, stuff like that? But the actual network performance (not having it drop, speed, all that basic stuff) would not be negatively affected by the mesh nodes being in AP mode?

[Jayach]

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@Ukdavid wrote:

Thanks so much really appreciate the info! Just to make sure I understand, when we’re talking about advanced router functionality I’d lose (it’s TP Link XE75’s), are we just talking things like those optional parental controls, guest network function, stuff like that? But the actual network performance (not having it drop, speed, all that basic stuff) would not be negatively affected by the mesh nodes being in AP mode?

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I deliberately didn't mention just what functions you would lose, as I'm not too sure.

Any purely routing functions, (setting DNS servers, DHCP reservations, etc) definately.

But anything to do with the functioning of the Wi-Fi should still be available, but I've never used a mesh as a an access point so can't be sure. Perhaps someone else could confirm?

But no, there should be no loss of speed.

[Ukdavid]

Hi - I think wifi 6 just refers to a new standard that opens up a new frequency bandwidth the nodes use to communicate, and a benefit to you either by using that frequency to wirelessly column it between nodes without using up otherwise usable bandwidth, or a benefit to you if you use that frequency with supported client devices). That’s my understanding! But I’m a newbie, someone will correct me here if I’m wrong I’m sure! (PS I think my question on Access Point mode below might be relevant to you too)