New HDB BTO Flat - How do you connect your Home Fiber Network

[Skypower]

Hi everyone, wanted to get some advice on upgrading my home network.

I am currently using a single AX55 in the study room, with multiple smart devices connected to it.
I noticed the signal is not so good near the kitchen end and further inside the MBR.

Saw a few recommendations to put a better router into DB box, turn off the WiFi, and set up an AIMesh outside with another 2 devices (since I already have the AX55).

Wanted to see if there are any recommendations for the respective devices. Or suggestions for the layout.
- Have LAN ports in every room
- Study room is where my work devices are so going to connect via LAN
- Planning to use LAN for my SMART TV / TV Box out in the living room

My humble recommendation

Disregard the brand 1st, You need mesh capable network router which support both WIFI and Ethernet Mesh configuration.

Placement:
- Most powerful WIFI router should stay in DB box connected to ONT. (Providing WIFI and Processing all network packets going in and out of internet)
- The other WIFI router can be placed in Master Bedroom (using Ethernet Mesh).

 

[Mach3.2]

Hi everyone, wanted to get some advice on upgrading my home network.

I am currently using a single AX55 in the study room, with multiple smart devices connected to it.
I noticed the signal is not so good near the kitchen end and further inside the MBR.

Saw a few recommendations to put a better router into DB box, turn off the WiFi, and set up an AIMesh outside with another 2 devices (since I already have the AX55).

Wanted to see if there are any recommendations for the respective devices. Or suggestions for the layout.
- Have LAN ports in every room
- Study room is where my work devices are so going to connect via LAN
- Planning to use LAN for my SMART TV / TV Box out in the living room

Quite simple actually, main router in DB box can cover living room and kitchen, then put a wireless access point in bedroom 2, which will cover your 3 bedrooms + throne room.

Hard wire the bedroom 2 wireless access point using the LAN point, be sure to move it so the thick black structural column isn't in between bedroom 3 and your access point.

Ignore the "mesh" buzzword, you don't need "mesh" when you can hard wire your access points, why pay extra for it?
If you want to cheap out you can simply get another AX55 for ~$80 on carousell and put it into AP mode when setting it up and you're done.

Remember to use the same wifi name (SSID) and password for both AX55, and set both AX55 to be in different channels.
Connect the ethernet cable for the 2nd AX55 into the LAN port instead of the WAN port.

 

[gregory_choo]

Quite simple actually, main router in DB box can cover living room and kitchen, then put a wireless access point in bedroom 2, which will cover your 3 bedrooms + throne room.

Hard wire the bedroom 2 wireless access point using the LAN point, be sure to move it so the thick black structural column isn't in between bedroom 3 and your access point.

Ignore the "mesh" buzzword, you don't need "mesh" when you can hard wire your access points, why pay extra for it?
If you want to cheap out you can simply get another AX55 for ~$80 on carousell and put it into AP mode when setting it up and you're done.

Remember to use the same wifi name (SSID) and password for both AX55, and set both AX55 to be in different channels.
Connect the ethernet cable for the 2nd AX55 into the LAN port instead of the WAN port.

actually if using asus ax router, mesh is free.

after installing another ax55, just set it to a mesh node with ethernet backhaul.

technically, we should not call them mesh network when there are 2 nodes or 3/4 nodes using wired backhual.

but if setting up as mesh network, we can make use of one very good feature - seamless roaming

 

[Mach3.2]

actually if using asus ax router, mesh is free.

after installing another ax55, just set it to a mesh node with ethernet backhaul.

technically, we should not call them mesh network when there are 2 nodes or 3/4 nodes using wired backhual.

but if setting up as mesh network, we can make use of one very good feature - seamless roaming

I get what you're saying, but strictly speaking that's just AP mode.

It's plain hub and spoke topology vs wireless mesh networking.
802.11k/r/v works independently of "mesh" (802.11s in the traditional sense, frequently abused by manufacturers to mean something else...), and even in AP mode, Asus routers can broadcast 802.11k/v information elements (IE), which should help with roaming.

https://www.comparebusinessproducts.com/briefs/hub-and-spoke-vs-mesh-wireless-networks

 

[xiaofan]

I get what you're saying, but strictly speaking that's just AP mode.

It's plain hub and spoke topology vs wireless mesh networking.
802.11k/r/v works independently of "mesh" (802.11s in the traditional sense, frequently abused by manufacturers to mean something else...), and even in AP mode, Asus routers can broadcast 802.11k/v information elements (IE), which should help with roaming.

https://www.comparebusinessproducts.com/briefs/hub-and-spoke-vs-mesh-wireless-networks

Your quoted article was published in 2010...

Nowadays the Mesh solution works with both Ethernet Backhaul and Wireless backhaul. There is no point arguing here.

Another thing, dual band mesh solution are now cheap enough.

*********************************
Edit to add:
But yes one point from you is good.

802.11k/r/v works independently of "mesh". So yes more professional solutions do not call them "mesh" but still offer better seamless roaming than consumer mesh solution. And it is also possible to use different brand of APs to have good roaming performance if one knows which AP supports 802.11 k/v/r and know how to tune the TX power if the router offers the feature.

That being said, we are more talking about consumer solution and average users here. Another thing, companies like Asus, Netgear and Huawei do have their own proprietory mesh technology independant of 802.11 k/v/r like Asus' AIMesh and Huawei's Hi-Link.

So yes in theory that you do not really need to use AImesh to set up roaming among Asus routers but it is just easier to use AImesh.
*********************************

 

[xiaofan]

If you want to cheap out you can simply get another AX55 for ~$80 on carousell and put it into AP mode when setting it up and you're done.

Remember to use the same wifi name (SSID) and password for both AX55, and set both AX55 to be in different channels.
Connect the ethernet cable for the 2nd AX55 into the LAN port instead of the WAN port.

No point using the old method of setting up an AP like that by connected the 2nd AX55 to the LAN port insead of the WAN port. You can connect to the WAN Port as it supports AP mode properly. Your method is useful in certain special use cases but not needed in general.

Actually Asus AImesh setup wizard will automatically configure the mesh node to run in AP mode.

 

[ktnpl2005]

This works better for my case with wireless clients in 4 bedrooms

 

[xiaofan]

This works better for my case with wireless clients in 4 bedrooms

Yes this can be the case. RT-AX55 actaully has similar CPU (BCM6755) as the RT-AX82U (BCM6750). In fact even the more expensive Zenwifi XT8 uses the low end BCM6755 CPU. The only thing I do not like about RT-AX55 is the limited RAM (256MB) and no USB storage (and not supported by Merlin alternative FW).

I personally would recommend RT-AX56U (BCM6755 CPU, 512MB RAM, with USB port and supported by Merlin FW) as the main router in this case. However, you seems to have very few clients and RT-AX55 should be fine in that case.

 

[rapcon]

If the home is completely new, there is no existing router, should opt for AP setup or Mesh?

 

[xiaofan]

If the home is completely new, there is no existing router, should opt for AP setup or Mesh?

What do you mean by AP setup here?

 

[rapcon]

What do you mean by AP setup here?

Pasiseh, I mean if completely new home, should I go for Access Point or Mesh?

 

[xiaofan]

Pasiseh, I mean if completely new home, should I go for Access Point or Mesh?

Actually my question is what kind of Access Point setup you have in your mind.

If you are a power user looking at high end AP solution like Ubiquiti Unifi, by all means go for that solution. You can use either Unifi router or pfSense router.

If you are just an average user, go for consumer mesh solution like Asus AImesh.

 

[xiaofan]

Actually my question is what kind of Access Point setup you have in your mind.

If you are a power user looking at high end AP solution like Ubiquiti Unifi, by all means go for that solution. You can use either Unifi router or pfSense router.

If you are just an average user, go for consumer mesh solution like Asus AImesh.

The other factor is also budget and the desire to reuse old routers (they may or may not support 802.11 k/v/r).

If one has quite some old routers and want to reuse them, then yes it is also possible to set up them as AP and set up the SSID/Password as the main router. It may well work for many use cases,

The other case is for super low budget yet want seamless roaming, then it may be a good idea to get a few Linksys EA7500 v2 or Linksys EA8100 from Carousell (at around S$10 to S$20). Upgrade the FW to OpenWRT and follow the guides to set up roaming.

OpenWRT mesh guide:
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/start
You can try 802.11s guide here -- you can mesh different brand of routers running OpenWRT
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/80211s
Youtube Guide from one youtuber.


Youtube video tutorial from another youtuber.

 

[anarcho_1995]

Hi guys what do u think of the setup below. Just moved in to my 4bedroom flat.
I am on 2 x 1GBps MyRepublic (the gaming one, it it makes any difference), no static IP.

Problems:

• Would love to have all devices connected in one network. Hence thinking of the setup below.
• My AX11000 ROG, is extremely terrible would love to have some kind of a fix for this nonsense. I get 200mbps max speed on ANY WiFi. Even when I am right beside the router.
  • Tried playing around with the settings, default settings Wifi sucks.
  • QoS off, Wifi still sucks.
  • Tried playing around with channels, wifi still sucks.
  • Tried Merlin firmware and official firmware, wifi still sucks.

Current setup:
First WAN connection

• ONT > DB Box LAN to Office > Asus AX55 connected via WAN > Office/Gaming PC and Work laptop connected via LAN.
• Asus AX55 Wifi radio signals are off.

Second WAN connection

• ONT > Netgear Nighthawk XR500 > Wifi to dining/living room.
• ONT > Netgear Nighthawk XR500 > DB Box LAN to Master Bedroom > AX11000 ROG in AP mode.

Future setup:

• ONT > Dual WAN Router (TP-Link ER605) with load balancing > DB Box to LAN to ports below:
• AX11000 Rog in living room emitting Wifi (AP Mode)
• XR500 in master bedroom emitting Wifi (AP Mode)
• Unmanaged switch in my office to my Gaming/Office PC and Work laptop.

An update here:
I've changed my ROG AX11000 5GHz-1 to only transmit to only AX mode. Am getting about 300-400mbps. Slightly better I guess. But still pretty disappointing for the price its valued at. Trying to call Asus now to see if they have any idea why this happening.

 

[gregory_choo]

An update here:
I've changed my ROG AX11000 5GHz-1 to only transmit to only AX mode. Am getting about 300-400mbps. Slightly better I guess. But still pretty disappointing for the price its valued at. Trying to call Asus now to see if they have any idea why this happening.

what handphone/wifi client are you using?

 

[anarcho_1995]

what handphone/wifi client are you using?

I have a PC with a AX Wifi card and an iPhone 11. Both getting really disappointing speeds.
Anyways, called Asus and they told me to get the router checked at their service center. Cant be bothered to be honest, so I guess I might just have to live with it

 

[cyberet]

I have a PC with a AX Wifi card and an iPhone 11. Both getting really disappointing speeds.
Anyways, called Asus and they told me to get the router checked at their service center. Cant be bothered to be honest, so I guess I might just have to live with it

can you check in system log -> wireless log, what is the MHZ, how many streams, and is it connected as AX?
Also what is the Rx/Tx & RSSI ?

 

[_death_god]

Hi guys, need your professional advise.

I am planning to buy a Asus AX3000 router and place it at the ONT point.
Currently have 2 Askey Wifi mesh - thinking of placing it at Bedroom 3 and Bedroom 2.

Is this the ideal way to go about if most of my devices will be tapping on WIFI?

Or any advise to get another router or routing? (Budget SGD300)

 

[gregory_choo]

Hi guys, need your professional advise.

I am planning to buy a Asus AX3000 router and place it at the ONT point.
Currently have 2 Askey Wifi mesh - thinking of placing it at Bedroom 3 and Bedroom 2.

Is this the ideal way to go about if most of my devices will be tapping on WIFI?

Or any advise to get another router or routing? (Budget SGD300)

not sure whether you can form mesh network with routers from asus and askey. if they are not compatible, you may face roaming problem.

since you are happy with the performance of askey, may be the cheaper way is to buy another one or two askey mesh nodes, to make a 3-4 nodes mesh network with ethernet backhual. you can buy askey node from carousell at $20 a piece.

or

go all the way to asus. buy 2-3 asus routers and use asus's aimesh.

 

[_death_god]

not sure whether you can form mesh network with routers from asus and askey. if they are not compatible, you may face roaming problem.

since you are happy with the performance of askey, may be the cheaper way is to buy another one or two askey mesh nodes, to make a 3-4 nodes mesh network with ethernet backhual. you can buy askey node from carousell at $20 a piece.

or

go all the way to asus. buy 2-3 asus routers and use asus's aimesh.

Actually the askey is free from singtel at my old house. I have not tried the performance of the Askey wifi mesh.

Ia asus router AX3000 recommended to place it at the ONT point?

Will explore Asus Aimesh if askey mesh is not compatible with the asus router.