Amazon eero Wireless Devices: Master Thread

[xiaofan]

1) I can not find any good info about whether Amazon eero TrueMesh supports any of the standard 802.11 k/v/r standards or not.
https://eero.com/en-GB/technology

2) Typically consumer mesh technology like Asus AIMesh and TP-Link Deco will be based on 802.11 k/v (sometimes also 802.11r), then adding proprietary mesh technology. 802.11s is mentioned to be used by Google's Mesh solution.

OpenWRT mesh guide, mainly using 802.11s
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/start

OpenWRT Wi-Fi Roaming using 802.11 k/v/r
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/roaming

3) Some experts are saying as long as the nodes support 802.11 k/v, then the roaming performance will not be bad even if mixing different nodes (all nodes in AP mode, or except the main node).

4) Then some experts like to DIY, changing the placement, transmission power and frequency band, to try to achieve seamless roaming. They do not care about 802.11 k/v/t or 802.11s.

5) To layman, I think it is better to use the same vendor's same mesh technology.

For example, TP-Link has different mesh technologies and they do not recommend users to mix different mesh technology.
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3749/

 

[BBCWatcher]

1) I can not find any good info about whether Amazon eero TrueMesh supports any of the standard 802.11 k/v/r standards or not.
https://eero.com/en-GB/technology

Yes, they do. Check eero's release notes. For example, they introduced 802.11k and 802.11v support in October, 2021. They started supporting 802.11r in June, 2017.

2) Typically consumer mesh technology like Asus AIMesh and TP-Link Deco will be based on 802.11 k/v (sometimes also 802.11r), then adding proprietary mesh technology. 802.11s is mentioned to be used by Google's Mesh solution.

No single vendor controls wireless clients. You have to support at least 802.11r if you want wireless clients to hop from radio to radio more quickly. (802.11k and 802.11v are less important, and some clients don't support those protocols.)

3) Some experts are saying as long as the nodes support 802.11 k/v, then the roaming performance will not be bad even if mixing different nodes (all nodes in AP mode, or except the main node).

The OpenWrt community consensus is that 802.11r is the most important protocol for roaming, and I think I agree with that. I've never seen 802.11k/v supported without 802.11r, but maybe I haven't looked hard enough.

802.11s is an attempt to get some multi-vendor standardization, but it doesn't seem to have caught on.

4) Then some experts like to DIY, changing the placement, transmission power and frequency band, to try to achieve seamless roaming. They do not care about 802.11 k/v/t or 802.11s.

That's really a different thing, albeit related. You can have a wireless network with 802.11r/k/v — with some protocol such as 802.11s providing coordination between access points — and still manually tweak aspects of your network (channel widths, transmission power outputs, channel selections including possible DFS channel rescans and resets, etc.) I do that, actually. Eero devices specifically won't let you do that. They try to optimize for the local environment automatically and don't include many manual overrides.

5) To layman, I think it is better to use the same vendor's same mesh technology.

Yes, absolutely. With wired backhauls if at all possible. (Use MoCA 2.5 adapters if you have coax ports and don't want to run new wires.)

For example, TP-Link has different mesh technologies and they do not recommend users to mix different mesh technology.
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3749/

I suppose a notable exception is OpenWrt. That is, it's the firmware that matters, not the actual manufacturer of the device itself. And I suppose MikroTik's RouterOS is another exception since it can run on some non-MikroTik equipment such as a mini PC.

 

[teoma]

Thinking to get Eero Max 7, seeing them pop up on Carousell nowadays. Are the Eeros locked or branded by any chance? Have heard horror stories in the US about these branded versions and wonder if the same applies if bought from a customer who got it from their ISP here in SG?

 

[BBCWatcher]

Thinking to get Eero Max 7, seeing them pop up on Carousell nowadays. Are the Eeros locked or branded by any chance?

Not really. If the prior owner has set up the eero device and has not removed it from their Amazon account, the new owner cannot set up the device. Otherwise there shouldn't be any problem.

 

[xiaofan]

Not really. If the prior owner has set up the eero device and has not removed it from their Amazon account, the new owner cannot set up the device. Otherwise there shouldn't be any problem.

Some reports over the internet say Hard Reset may work in this case. But some other reports say Hard Reset does not work since the serial number is part of the registration.

In the end it is better to confirm with the seller that they have removed the eero from their Amazon account before buying to avoid troubles.

 

[SpicyBird]

How is eero max 7 compared to tp link archer be805?

 

[BBCWatcher]

How is eero max 7 compared to tp link archer be805?

Superficially they’re broadly similar. The BE805 has 2 additional “slow” Ethernet ports, but the eero Max 7’s “slow” ports are 2.5GBASE-T instead of 1000BASE-T. The Max 7 lacks the BE805’s USB port. Amazon will almost certainly ship security updates longer than TP-Link will. However, the BE805 seems likely to get OpenWrt support at some point. Amazon’s firmware offers basic functions with a subscription required for “advanced” features.

 

[teoma]

Not really. If the prior owner has set up the eero device and has not removed it from their Amazon account, the new owner cannot set up the device. Otherwise there shouldn't be any problem.

Thanks! Used to be you could set up Eero without an Amazon account, just an Eero account. Is that no longer the case?

Some reports over the internet say Hard Reset may work in this case. But some other reports say Hard Reset does not work since the serial number is part of the registration.

In the end it is better to confirm with the seller that they have removed the eero from their Amazon account before buying to avoid troubles.

Cool, as long as it's not branded to eight (or any ISP), that should be viable.

Superficially they’re broadly similar. The BE805 has 2 additional “slow” Ethernet ports, but the eero Max 7’s “slow” ports are 2.5GBASE-T instead of 1000BASE-T. The Max 7 lacks the BE805’s USB port. Amazon will almost certainly ship security updates longer than TP-Link will. However, the BE805 seems likely to get OpenWrt support at some point. Amazon’s firmware offers basic functions with a subscription required for “advanced” features.

I've heard connectivity issues with the BE805 but that was about a year or so back. I guess it's improved since then?

 

[BBCWatcher]

Thanks! Used to be you could set up Eero without an Amazon account, just an Eero account. Is that no longer the case?

That’s a good point. The previous owner must remove the eero device from their eero-only or Amazon account, whichever they’re using.

 

[teoma]

Not really. If the prior owner has set up the eero device and has not removed it from their Amazon account, the new owner cannot set up the device. Otherwise there shouldn't be any problem.

Some reports over the internet say Hard Reset may work in this case. But some other reports say Hard Reset does not work since the serial number is part of the registration.

In the end it is better to confirm with the seller that they have removed the eero from their Amazon account before buying to avoid troubles.

thinking to get eero Max 7. I've seen that ViewQuest eero's are branded in the app, so even if you have non-branded eero (say you bought directly from Amazon), they will show the ViewQuest branding.

Is eight eero also the same in terms of branding in the app?

Can you mix and match eero with different ISP branding?

Any risk in purchasing these branded units? I hear in the US, the ISP could remotely disable units, wondering if it would be the same issue or has anyone run into that issue here?

To clarify: this is assuming that the owner has not used/paired eero to their account, and it's brand new, but with ISP branding.

 

[kEvinErd]

thinking to get eero Max 7. I've seen that ViewQuest eero's are branded in the app, so even if you have non-branded eero (say you bought directly from Amazon), they will show the ViewQuest branding.

Is eight eero also the same in terms of branding in the app?

Can you mix and match eero with different ISP branding?

Any risk in purchasing these branded units? I hear in the US, the ISP could remotely disable units, wondering if it would be the same issue or has anyone run into that issue here?

To clarify: this is assuming that the owner has not used/paired eero to their account, and it's brand new, but with ISP branding.

Can’t answer all of your questions but I got two Eeros from Eight working just fine on my StarHub broadband. And yes, there’s Eight branding inside the Eero app (but not on the exterior of the hardware itself).

 

[BBCWatcher]

If you'd like to augment your eero network with another eero wireless router (or access point), Amazon's own deep discount U.S. storefront Woot.com is selling factory reconditioned eero 6 series devices at very attractive prices. Prices after discount range from US$35.09 for the eero 6 to US$80.99 for the eero Pro 6E. Shipping is US$6, and then you'd pay for GST and ezShip.

I suggest avoiding the eero Pro 6 since it's likely to stop receiving firmware updates on July 31, 2030. All the others will receive firmware updates through at least August 31, 2031 (current end date, likely to be extended).

Eeros interoperate with each other, so this Woot sale could be an economical way to obtain a "gap filler" eero for your home, a family member's home (such as an elder's), or a small business location.