Help needed for basic network set up

[jljh888]

Understand that this topic has been discussed plenty of time, but after going through those threads, I still do not understand.

Just done with renovation and is ready to move in. I am planning to use lan cable in bedroom 3 for desktop and living room for smart TV.

The rest of the house to be filled with WiFi.

Plan to sign up the 1gb M1 package without the routers.

Current fibre/data point is in the DB cabinet next to the main door.

Attached picture is my floor plan and orange circle is where I would like to have my lan cable connected.



Any pros can advise on what routers/mesh model or any other things to get?

No looking at god speed, just sufficient to play movies, surf the Internet, YouTube etc.

Thankyou alot!

 

[Apex]

BTW your picture can't load.

How much you plan to spend on your mesh?

 

[jljh888]

BTW your picture can't load.

How much you plan to spend on your mesh?

Hi Apex



I am not sure what is a estimate price. I guess around the $300 range or less?

 

[Apex]

You may like to consider XD6 mesh.

https://www.hachi.tech/intelligent-...400-wifi-6-mesh0--0195553061322?a=1,1,0&p=499

 

[jljh888]

Thankyou Apex,

For this, as it is in 2 pack, I will place 1 inside DB cabinet connected via lan cable to Bdrm 3 and living room while the 2nd pack to be place somewhere in the middle of the house?

 

[Apex]

I would suggest start of with 2 pack. (Can always add another AX router to run AIMESH if needed or use your old router as main router in DB)

To make it easy you can first deploy 1st mesh inside the DB and see how the signal range.
(Yes signal maybe affected as DB box are usually close up).

If the signal from 1st mesh is very bad than time to consider to place a router inside the DB box and run the mesh as AP mode and install 1st mesh outside DB box and place it at living room TV Console<if any>.

The 2nd node can be place in bedroom 2 or 3.

My flat has the same layout . I placed my 1st mesh in DB Box. Good enough to cover living room, kitchen and BD room3.

I place my 2nd mesh @ BR2 (to provide coverage for the MBR, WC1, WC2.


Base on my Family usage must of the internet connection happen in the Bedroom. So good signal is important for me in the bedrooms.

 

[Apex]

Most Mesh will comes with app and let you see which node has the most users. Based on this you can see if living room or bedroom has the most network usage.

My living room

TV and 1 user

bedroom:

All the kids on their phone and ipad and connected to the ROOM 2 mesh

 

[jljh888]

If not looking at good speed, you might want to consider signing up 500Mbps, save $10, 2 year contract save $240, can get you 2 brand new ax55 from Carousel. After 2 year then upgrade to 1Gbps

As I will be watching TV quite often, not sure if 500mbps will be sufficient to load those videos or so..

 

[jljh888]

I would suggest start of with 2 pack. (Can always add another AX router to run AIMESH if needed or use your old router as main router in DB)

To make it easy you can first deploy 1st mesh inside the DB and see how the signal range.
(Yes signal maybe affected as DB box are usually close up).

If the signal from 1st mesh is very bad than time to consider to place a router inside the DB box and run the mesh as AP mode and install 1st mesh outside DB box and place it at living room TV Console<if any>.

The 2nd node can be place in bedroom 2 or 3.

My flat has the same layout . I placed my 1st mesh in DB Box. Good enough to cover living room, kitchen and BD room3.

I place my 2nd mesh @ BR2 (to provide coverage for the MBR, WC1, WC2.


Base on my Family usage must of the internet connection happen in the Bedroom. So good signal is important for me in the bedrooms.

Hopefully both the mesh will work, doesn't want to spend another money on the router..

 

[xiaofan]

As I will be watching TV quite often, not sure if 500mbps will be sufficient to load those videos or so..

TV is of low bandwidth requirements.

Netflix 4K is around 25Mbps. Other popular 4K streaming services are similar.

Few if any streaming services will be above 100Mbps.

 

[jljh888]

Hi guys,

What about a

Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8)?​

Can get it from M1 monthly payment.

 

[Apex]

Hi guys,

What about a

Asus ZenWiFi AC (CT8)?​

Can get it from M1 monthly payment.

CT8 is a WIFI 5 device.

If you do not have WIFI 6 device or want to moved to WIFI 6. You can get CT8 too.

 

[jljh888]

I am planning to get the Asus zenwifi ac ct8 and realise M1 also provide free router
1. Tp link Archer AX73
2. Asus RT-AX55

Out of the 2, which will be the recommanded one?

 

[Apex]

I am planning to get the Asus zenwifi ac ct8 and realise M1 also provide free router
1. Tp link Archer AX73
2. Asus RT-AX55

Out of the 2, which will be the recommanded one?

The RT-AX55is compatible with ASUS AiMesh WiFi system. You can always get another Asus AImesh support device to expand your WIFI network coverage.

TP-link has their own (OneMesh) Mesh seems to be new and didn't seems to have a lot discussion here.
Some of the device until today is still pending Firmware update to enable it (When i last check a few month ago).

Asus AX Wi-FI AX spec seems lower:
https://www.asus.com/Networking-IoT-Servers/WiFi-Routers/All-series/RT-AX55/techspec/802.11ax (2.4GHz) : up to 574 Mbps
802.11ax (5GHz) : up to 1201 Mbps
1.5GHz quad-core processor

TP-link
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax73/#specifications5 GHz: 4804 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160)
2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps (802.11ax)
1.5 GHz Triple-Core CPU


If you wanna leave your MESH option open, I go for Asus.

 

[jljh888]

The RT-AX55is compatible with ASUS AiMesh WiFi system. You can always get another Asus AImesh support device to expand your WIFI network coverage.

TP-link has their own (OneMesh) Mesh seems to be new and didn't seems to have a lot discussion here.
Some of the device until today is still pending Firmware update to enable it (When i last check a few month ago).

AX73 will not be compatible with the Asus ct8? Because from what you say, seems like tp link has a better specs.

 

[Apex]

AX73 will not be compatible with the Asus ct8? Because from what you say, seems like tp link has a better specs.

AX73 can still and CT8 mesh will not be able to work as 1 MESH system.



But AX73 (standalone) and CT8 (as Standalone AImesh in bridge/ap mode) will still work.

This setup will mean that AX73 Router mode and CT8 as AP mode.

 

[firesong]

The RT-AX55is compatible with ASUS AiMesh WiFi system. You can always get another Asus AImesh support device to expand your WIFI network coverage.

TP-link has their own (OneMesh) Mesh seems to be new and didn't seems to have a lot discussion here.
Some of the device until today is still pending Firmware update to enable it (When i last check a few month ago).

Asus AX Wi-FI AX spec seems lower:
https://www.asus.com/Networking-IoT-Servers/WiFi-Routers/All-series/RT-AX55/techspec/802.11ax (2.4GHz) : up to 574 Mbps
802.11ax (5GHz) : up to 1201 Mbps
1.5GHz quad-core processor

TP-link
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax73/#specifications5 GHz: 4804 Mbps (802.11ax, HE160)
2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps (802.11ax)
1.5 GHz Triple-Core CPU


If you wanna leave your MESH option open, I go for Asus.

Don't use the overinflated marketing figures.

Just because it claims 4 thousand Mbps does not mean you get 4 thousand Mbps. It's marketing, so they add up all the speeds you can get from all the bands - so they add the B/G + AC + AX speeds and that grossly inflates the number to make their products sound good - because numbers are the only way humans can compare.

Here's the very simplistic breakdown:

1. You connect on only ONE of those bands: Either N or AC or AX and either 2.4 or 5Ghz. Even if your device is dualband, it just means it's capable of connecting to multiple bands (2.4Ghz, or 5Ghz), but not both simultaneously.
2. Your devices are almost always 2T2R. Meaning there are 2 transmit/receive radios. Laptops, tablets, phones... Many cheaper IoT devices are even 1T1R.
3. As such, your theoretical max speeds are only as follows: Either : 300Mbps (N, 2.4Ghz) , 866Mbps (AC, 5Ghz), or 1.2Gbps (AX, 5Ghz).
4. Your real life max speeds is up to 70% of that, so doing the math: 210Mbps, 606.2Mbps, and 840Mbps respectively. And these are in optimal, in fact pretty perfect conditions that include no other interfering devices around you (ie, no neighbours' wifi, no cordless phone, no microwave oven, wireless doorbell, almost-vacuum, etc...). Actual use case is definitely lower.
5. There's another bone of contention with AX - unless all devices are on 802.11ax and on the 160Mhz band, there's not that much speed improvements to be had over AC. If any device is on AC or lower, then you're limited to the 80Mhz or even 40Mhz bands, and this negatively impacts your speeds. This means your choice of the CT8 is not a bad one.

Why do we see inflated figures in a lot of reviews then? Those are based on best case, theoretical, 4x4 160Mbps channel calculations that can give you fantastic numbers like 3.5Gbps. But no end-user devices are 4x4 160Mbps, so those remain theoretical. At best, you might get that kind of speed on dedicated wireless backhauls for mesh systems.

Also, note that many reviews don't really show you actual numbers - a lot are really just product descriptions that means they're paid to extol the products but not run actual detailed tests in multiple conditions.

To TS @jljh888, hope this clears up your confusion. Don't buy networking equipment based on spec sheets alone. Real world considerations matter too. But the Asus routers recommended are generally quite decent. Just got a pair of XT8s for a friend who wanted strong wireless signals for his condo, and it works well for their family. But that's a $800 outlay for two nodes that not many are quite willing to pay, even if it's an excellent performer.

 

[Apex]

Don't use the overinflated marketing figures.

Just because it claims 4 thousand Mbps does not mean you get 4 thousand Mbps. It's marketing, so they add up all the speeds you can get from all the bands - so they add the B/G + AC + AX speeds and that grossly inflates the number to make their products sound good - because numbers are the only way humans can compare.

Here's the very simplistic breakdown:

1. You connect on only ONE of those bands: Either N or AC or AX and either 2.4 or 5Ghz. Even if your device is dualband, it just means it's capable of connecting to multiple bands (2.4Ghz, or 5Ghz), but not both simultaneously.
2. Your devices are almost always 2T2R. Meaning there are 2 transmit/receive radios. Laptops, tablets, phones... Many cheaper IoT devices are even 1T1R.
3. As such, your theoretical max speeds are only as follows: Either : 300Mbps (N, 2.4Ghz) , 866Mbps (AC, 5Ghz), or 1.2Gbps (AX, 5Ghz).
4. Your real life max speeds is up to 70% of that, so doing the math: 210Mbps, 606.2Mbps, and 840Mbps respectively. And these are in optimal, in fact pretty perfect conditions that include no other interfering devices around you (ie, no neighbours' wifi, no cordless phone, no microwave oven, wireless doorbell, almost-vacuum, etc...). Actual use case is definitely lower.
5. There's another bone of contention with AX - unless all devices are on 802.11ax and on the 160Mhz band, there's not that much speed improvements to be had over AC. If any device is on AC or lower, then you're limited to the 80Mhz or even 40Mhz bands, and this negatively impacts your speeds. This means your choice of the CT8 is not a bad one.

Why do you we inflated figures in a lot of reviews then? Those are based on best case, theoretical, 4x4 160Mbps channel calculations that can give you fantastic numbers like 3.5Gbps. But no end-user devices are 4x4 160Mbps, so those remain theoretical. At best, you might get that kind of speed on dedicated wireless backhauls for mesh systems.

Also, note that many reviews don't really show you actual numbers - a lot are really just product descriptions that means they're paid to extol the products but not run actual detailed tests in multiple conditions.

To TS @jljh888, hope this clears up your confusion. Don't buy networking equipment based on spec sheets alone. Real world considerations matter too. But the Asus routers recommended are generally quite decent. Just got a pair of XT8s for a friend who wanted strong wireless signals for his condo, and it works well for their family. But that's a $800 outlay for two nodes that not many are quite willing to pay, even if it's an excellent performer.

Agree with you that most device don't support 4T4R (Mobile device and older laptop/desktop wifi card) and dual band device will only connect a single band at a time .

The marketing spec only help people to compare and decide which device to get.

In real world usage there are a lot factor as shared by you. RF mhz, Device type & Environment making the end result different from what those marketing people write on their boxes and website.

 

[firesong]

Agree with you that most device don't support 4T4R (Mobile device and older laptop/desktop wifi card) and dual band device will only connect a single band at a time .

The marketing spec only help people to compare and decide which device to get.

In real world usage there are a lot factor as shared by you. RF mhz, Device type & Environment making the end result different from what those marketing people write on their boxes and website.

Actually, since the numbers are not truthful, they are meaningless comparisons.

Theoretical speeds is only one aspect. Design of product is another, at component level, and in fact at hardware level. Most of the cheap routers just have a thin wire core (wrapped in pretty plastic) to serve as an antenna.

For example, some companies research deeply and patent their hardware design in optimising their wifi antenna arrays for the best coverage and performance. Beyond just sticking a thin wire in plastic to serve as an omnidirectional antennas that leave it to the users to point in any direction they like.
https://webresources.ruckuswireless.com/pdf/wp/wp-wifi-essentials.pdf

 

[jljh888]

AX73 can still and CT8 mesh will not be able to work as 1 MESH system.



But AX73 (standalone) and CT8 (as Standalone AImesh in bridge/ap mode) will still work.

This setup will mean that AX73 Router mode and CT8 as AP mode.

Which mean if ax73 is in the DB cabinet, there will have 1 network, and if I go deeper into the house, I will have to connect to another network - AP (CT8) to have a better connectivity?