How to choose a mesh router

[zachxx]

Yes I will try that first. Jus that I scared the wireless in the master bedroom may not be strong if I'm using it with door close

 

[xiaofan]

Now that Huawei AX3 Quad Core version is running out of stock, the next cheapest AX3000 rated global version mesh solution seems to be Xiaomi AX3000 global version (one pack or dual pack), with local warranty.

Two pack is rougly at S$160 to S$170 from online store, or maybe a bit cheaper.

 

[aly8282]

Hi guys, another noob in setting up home network here.

I have just shifted house (4-room condo, 1259sq/ft) and now about to move in. I have 2 ethernet ports in the LR side-by-side and 1 ethernet port in each of the 4 bedrooms. I am planning on a mesh network with a wired backhaul and thinking of getting the 2 pack ASUS XT8. And I am thinking of going with 1gbs My Republic or Viewqwest.

I have seen the many threads about setting up the network until I think I am having info overload. So pardon if I am asking the obvious or have been discussed before.

Will this plan work:
1. Hook up modem to the patchpoint in DB
2. Hook up XT8 (Router) at LR Port 1
3. Hook up XT 8 (Router) back to LR Port 2
4. Hook up XT8 (node) at MBR.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi guys, another noob in setting up home network here.

I have just shifted house (4-room condo, 1259sq/ft) and now about to move in. I have 2 ethernet ports in the LR side-by-side and 1 ethernet port in each of the 4 bedrooms. I am planning on a mesh network with a wired backhaul and thinking of getting the 2 pack ASUS XT8. And I am thinking of going with 1gbs My Republic or Viewqwest.

I have seen the many threads about setting up the network until I think I am having info overload. So pardon if I am asking the obvious or have been discussed before.

Will this plan work:
1. Hook up modem to the patchpoint in DB
2. Hook up XT8 (Router) at LR Port 1
3. Hook up XT 8 (Router) back to LR Port 2
4. Hook up XT8 (node) at MBR.

Thanks a lot guys.

I will recommend against Viewquest because it has stability issue -- just go to the Viewquest thread and read the messages there.

As for the setup, it is great that you have two LAN ports in the living room and the two ports are close to each other. You are nearly there. Step 1 - 3 is correct but not Step 4. You need to buy a cheap switch (eg: TP-Link TL-SG105 with metal housing, below S$30)

1) DB Box: Fibre Terminal point --> ONT --> patch panel LAN port (which is connected to Living room LAN port 1)
2) Living room LAN port 1 --> main router (Asus Zenwifi XT8) WAN port
3) XT8 LAN port --> Living room LAN port 2
4) DB Box patch panel LAN port (which is connected to Living room LAN port 2) --> Switch TL-SG105
5) DB Box TL-SG105 LAN ports -- patch panel LAN ports --> different rooms including MBR
6) MBR LAN port --> XT8 mesh node

 

[aly8282]

thanks a lot xiaofan. U've been a great help. Gd to know that my understanding is at least 1/2 way there now..

I will re-evaluate my Viewqwest choice.

Another noob question:

How to check which port in the DB patchpanel leads to which port in the respective rooms? Do you have to manually plug in and out a ethernet cable to a laptop to check if you receive signal?

 

[xiaofan]

Useful review video from local reviewer.

A bit strange is why he needs to use wireless backhaul for the 3rd node in the master room. He should probably use wired Ethernet backhaul since there should be a LAN port in the master room. And just looking at the floor plan, the 3rd node may not be necessary if the speed requirement is not high.

Product covered

► TP-Link Deco X20 (1/2/3 pk)
► TP-Link Deco X75 2pk (triband)
► ASUS ZenWifi XD4 2pk
► ASUS ZenWifi XD4 3pk
► ASUS ZenWifi XT8 2pk (triband)
► Linksys Velop MX5400 2pk
► Linksys Velop MX5400 3pk
► Linksys Velop MX4200 2pk (triband)
► Linksys Velop MX4200 3pk (triband)
► Netgear Orbi RBK752 (triband)
► Netgear Orbi RBK753 (triband)
► Netgear Orbi RBK852 (triband)
► Netgear Orbi RBK853 (triband)

 

[xiaofan]

Dongknows updated review of TP-Link OneMesh in 2022.

I do not recommend this option though as there is no router-to-router mesh option, only router-to-extender option.
https://dongknows.com/tp-link-onemesh-wi-fi-system-review/

 

[xiaofan]

Local review of lower end Asus Zenwifi XD4 (2-pack at around S$329, 3-pack at around S$459). It actually performs better than what I expected. But I will still recommend RT-AX56U + RT-AX55 combination (around S$289).

 

[elendil5259]

sorry if i'm ignorant, very new to this. is it because some of the mesh devices only have two ethernet ports available? Wouldn't you need 3 ports on the first device in the DB box if you do a wired backhaul for both the 2nd and 3rd device? Or can you use a network switch with the first device?

 

[xonix]

sorry if i'm ignorant, very new to this. is it because some of the mesh devices only have two ethernet ports available? Wouldn't you need 3 ports on the first device in the DB box if you do a wired backhaul for both the 2nd and 3rd device? Or can you use a network switch with the first device?

Yes, adding a network switch to the first device works too

 

[miyaki]

hi guys.. noob here, can i check if the below setup will work ? my two deco x20 will act as AP ...

Q1: do i need to have 1 of the deco x20 to act as main mesh node for the setup to work?
Q2: can i use one of the lan port on the deco x20 to connect to TV in living room (via wired connection) (when it is in AP mode)

 

[kashix]

hi guys.. noob here, can i check if the below setup will work ? my two deco x20 will act as AP ... (do i need to have 1 of the deco x20 to act as main mesh node? )

You just plug in and try isn’t it faster? Lol

 

[miyaki]

my renovation not even done ... this is just theoretical example. never buy anything yet man

You just plug in and try isn’t it faster? Lol

 

[kashix]

my renovation not even done ... this is just theoretical example. never buy anything yet man

Usually need to keep 1 unit at DB for distribution, you might have to put 1 inside. Then the node can keep at other parts, are you doing smart home? If yes then x20 cannot disable smart connect, you might have issues with IOT devices. I recommend ASUS XD4 instead.

 

[sacredrays]

hi guys.. noob here, can i check if the below setup will work ? my two deco x20 will act as AP ...

Q1: do i need to have 1 of the deco x20 to act as main mesh node for the setup to work?
Q2: can i use one of the lan port on the deco x20 to connect to TV in living room (via wired connection) (when it is in AP mode)

should be can work. your deco is in ap mode so this set up should be fine.

ur tv as in smart tv, or singtel tv? either way i am not sure but quite positive that it should be fine too.

 

[sacredrays]

Usually need to keep 1 unit at DB for distribution, you might have to put 1 inside. Then the node can keep at other parts, are you doing smart home? If yes then x20 cannot disable smart connect, you might have issues with IOT devices. I recommend ASUS XD4 instead.

his deco not working in router mode

 

[kashix]

his deco not working in router mode

I have no idea if in AP mode, can they be connected this way, have to check with @xiaofan

traditionally is to extend out from deco to link together

 

[sacredrays]

I have no idea if in AP mode, can they be connected this way, have to check with @xiaofan

traditionally is to extend out from deco to link together

When Deco works in Access Point mode, it’s no problem to connect more than 1 deco unit to the existing router directly.

https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/1432/

 

[kashix]

https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/1432/

Thanks for the heads up! Guess TS shouldn’t have problem with his setup.

 

[miyaki]

cool thanks everyone !

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