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

[_underthebutterfly]

Yes. RT-AX56U in the DB Box.

Yes. RT-AX56U has the guest network function. You can say all Asus wireless router has such function.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042732/https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1045327/

Thanks a lot @xiaofan !

 

[ahgao86]

You have quite some misuse of terminalogy in the post.

1) Original proposal -- the ONT is not a router
- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> gigabit Ethernet switch —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

In the above proposal, there is no router in Port 3. It will not work properly. You can not connect an unmanged swicth directly to the ONT. Rather you have to add a router. Since this is just for the wired device, a cheap old gigabit router will do if you have old router like Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 or others. If not, they are so cheap in Carousell -- like S$10.

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> cheap router like Linksys EA7500 v2 —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

2) Your Option 2 will work
- StarHub ONT port 1 —> wired router like the Edge Router X or cheap router like Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 (disable WiFi) —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and Smart TV
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> bedroom 2 (pretty much in the middle of the entire house) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 (to provide wifi for the entire house.

3) Starhub 2Gbps plan is dual 1Gbps plan, which means that you will not be able to form a mesh even if you add another Velop MX4200 to Port 3.

BTW, AImesh is specific to Asus wireless routers, not for Linksys.

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and TV in hall (one network, 1Gbps bandwidth)
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router —> Apple TV and TV in main bedroom (another network, another 1Gbps bandwidth).

4) Similar to Option 3 but using cheap Wireless router in main bedroom

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and TV in hall (one network, 1Gbps bandwidth)
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 route—> Apple TV and TV in main bedroom (another network, another 1Gbps bandwidth).

5) I think you can give Option 2 or Option 4 a try first to see how it goes. If you have old wireless router, Option 2 and 4 are basically using the same HW, just different configuration.

Ok my StarHub installation is finally done and now I have a clearer Picture. I’m considering the following (let’s just leave the wired router from ONT port 3 out of the picture for now and focus on WAP instead).

so we tested the signal in 2 places, velop in db cabinet - basically it provides sufficient coverage for hall, kitchen and service yard, but beyond that it goes downhill.
And velop in hall - whole house has wifi, but kitchen and service yard is bad, and bedroom 2 and master room is bad. MBR Toilet has minimal connection.

im now considering adding another node and would like some advice from the gurus here.

1st option - ONT —> EA7500 v2 (wireless off) —> Patch panel 2 locations ,living room and MBR —> 2 Velop nodes (provide wifi for whole house)

what are the pros and cons of this? Will my velop end up being limited by the EA7500? How should I run this set up to get the best out of it?

2nd option - ONT —> Patch panel (hall) —> Velop (provide wireless)
2nd velop in MBR as mesh to provide wifi for bedroom 2 and MBR

what about this option? Is it more viable? Or are there any other suggestions? My main concern is I want to have good coverage and good speeds for wireless, and I also want to use the velop.

tbh I’m just so confused with all these. And after researching and reading up, I think I’m even more confused.

thank you so much in advance!

 

[uncle_josh]

Ok my StarHub installation is finally done and now I have a clearer Picture. I’m considering the following (let’s just leave the wired router from ONT port 3 out of the picture for now and focus on WAP instead).

so we tested the signal in 2 places, velop in db cabinet - basically it provides sufficient coverage for hall, kitchen and service yard, but beyond that it goes downhill.
And velop in hall - whole house has wifi, but kitchen and service yard is bad, and bedroom 2 and master room is bad. MBR Toilet has minimal connection.

im now considering adding another node and would like some advice from the gurus here.

1st option - ONT —> EA7500 v2 (wireless off) —> Patch panel 2 locations ,living room and MBR —> 2 Velop nodes (provide wifi for whole house)

what are the pros and cons of this? Will my velop end up being limited by the EA7500? How should I run this set up to get the best out of it?

2nd option - ONT —> Patch panel (hall) —> Velop (provide wireless)
2nd velop in MBR as mesh to provide wifi for bedroom 2 and MBR

what about this option? Is it more viable? Or are there any other suggestions? My main concern is I want to have good coverage and good speeds for wireless, and I also want to use the velop.

tbh I’m just so confused with all these. And after researching and reading up, I think I’m even more confused.

thank you so much in advance!

The better option would be the 2nd option, which is using 2x Velop nodes to provide WiFi for the whole house. This is because Velop nodes are designed specifically to work together to provide seamless whole-home coverage, while the EA7500 v2 is a standalone router that may not have the same coverage and performance capabilities as the Velop nodes.

The pros of using Velop nodes are:

1. They are easy to set up and manage using the Velop app, which allows you to control your network settings and monitor connected devices.
2. They use mesh networking technology to provide seamless coverage throughout your home, without any dead zones or interruptions.
3. They are scalable, meaning you can add more nodes as your network needs grow or change.

The main con of using Velop nodes is the cost, as they can be more expensive than standalone routers or extenders.

To get the best out of your Velop nodes, it is recommended that you set them up in a mesh network configuration, where each node is placed within range of at least one other node. This can help ensure seamless coverage throughout your home, as each node acts as a hub for other nodes in the network. You can also use the Velop app to monitor your network performance and make adjustments to optimize your WiFi speeds and connectivity.


Option 1 will still work ,if the 2 Velop nodes are connected to the EA7500 v2 standalone router.
However, this setup would not provide the full benefits of a true mesh network, such as automatic network optimization and seamless roaming between nodes. Velop mesh nodes work best when they are set up in a true mesh configuration with each node directly connecting to the internet source and communicating with each other to extend coverage.

 

[ahgao86]

The better option would be the 2nd option, which is using 2x Velop nodes to provide WiFi for the whole house. This is because Velop nodes are designed specifically to work together to provide seamless whole-home coverage, while the EA7500 v2 is a standalone router that may not have the same coverage and performance capabilities as the Velop nodes.

The pros of using Velop nodes are:

1. They are easy to set up and manage using the Velop app, which allows you to control your network settings and monitor connected devices.
2. They use mesh networking technology to provide seamless coverage throughout your home, without any dead zones or interruptions.
3. They are scalable, meaning you can add more nodes as your network needs grow or change.

The main con of using Velop nodes is the cost, as they can be more expensive than standalone routers or extenders.

To get the best out of your Velop nodes, it is recommended that you set them up in a mesh network configuration, where each node is placed within range of at least one other node. This can help ensure seamless coverage throughout your home, as each node acts as a hub for other nodes in the network. You can also use the Velop app to monitor your network performance and make adjustments to optimize your WiFi speeds and connectivity.


Option 1 will still work ,if the 2 Velop nodes are connected to the EA7500 v2 standalone router.
However, this setup would not provide the full benefits of a true mesh network, such as automatic network optimization and seamless roaming between nodes. Velop mesh nodes work best when they are set up in a true mesh configuration with each node directly connecting to the internet source and communicating with each other to extend coverage.

Thank you so much Uncle Josh! Appreciate it! So that means if I go for option 1, my network will be affected by the ea7500 What if it’s placed in a different arrangement: ONY —> Velop —> Patch panel 2 locations ,living room and MBR —> 1 Velop node in MBR and EA7500v2 in hall?
Is this a better option?

 

[_underthebutterfly]

Yes. RT-AX56U in the DB Box.

Yes. RT-AX56U has the guest network function. You can say all Asus wireless router has such function.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042732/https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1045327/

sorry, I have another question. If I have only one AX56U and AX55, should I then put the AX55 in the db and use AX56U outside?

 

[uncle_josh]

Thank you so much Uncle Josh! Appreciate it! So that means if I go for option 1, my network will be affected by the ea7500 What if it’s placed in a different arrangement: ONY —> Velop —> Patch panel 2 locations ,living room and MBR —> 1 Velop node in MBR and EA7500v2 in hall?
Is this a better option?

As mentioned, for option 1, still workable. Just that the setup would not provide the full benefits of a true mesh network, such as automatic network optimization and seamless roaming between nodes

Same for the new proposal, coverage and speed it not an issue, just the roaming part may not be seamless for device connecting to the EA7500v2

 

[ahgao86]

As mentioned, for option 1, still workable. Just that the setup would not provide the full benefits of a true mesh network, such as automatic network optimization and seamless roaming between nodes

Same for the new proposal, coverage and speed it not an issue, just the roaming part may not be seamless for device connecting to the EA7500v2

I see. So the only way to take true advantage of the full benefits of the mesh system is to spend more money and get more velop nodes. appreciate your input and advice! Guess I’ll have to tinker around with it for now. Thank you!

 

[xiaofan]

sorry, I have another question. If I have only one AX56U and AX55, should I then put the AX55 in the db and use AX56U outside?

RT-AX56U in the DB box and RT-AX55 outside. RT-AX56U is better as a router as it has 512MB RAM and USB port (future Merlin FW update). RT-AX55 is as good as RT-AX56U when running as an AP -- similar wireless performance and coverage (same CPU, same AX3000 wireless specification).

 

[xiaofan]

Ok my StarHub installation is finally done and now I have a clearer Picture. I’m considering the following (let’s just leave the wired router from ONT port 3 out of the picture for now and focus on WAP instead).

so we tested the signal in 2 places, velop in db cabinet - basically it provides sufficient coverage for hall, kitchen and service yard, but beyond that it goes downhill.
And velop in hall - whole house has wifi, but kitchen and service yard is bad, and bedroom 2 and master room is bad. MBR Toilet has minimal connection.

im now considering adding another node and would like some advice from the gurus here.

1st option - ONT —> EA7500 v2 (wireless off) —> Patch panel 2 locations ,living room and MBR —> 2 Velop nodes (provide wifi for whole house)

what are the pros and cons of this? Will my velop end up being limited by the EA7500? How should I run this set up to get the best out of it?

2nd option - ONT —> Patch panel (hall) —> Velop (provide wireless)
2nd velop in MBR as mesh to provide wifi for bedroom 2 and MBR

what about this option? Is it more viable? Or are there any other suggestions? My main concern is I want to have good coverage and good speeds for wireless, and I also want to use the velop.

tbh I’m just so confused with all these. And after researching and reading up, I think I’m even more confused.

thank you so much in advance!

Both options will work and both options will provide seamless roaming for you as long as you set them up correctly.

1) Option 1 -- Ethernet backhaul achieved if you set up the Velop MX4200 in AP mode. EA7500 v2 is the main router. This option may provide the best wireless performnce. But since the Velop MX4200 is in AP mode, you lose some FW features of the Velop MX4200.

As long as you are not using a lot of devices, EA7500 V2 should still be good enough as the main router. If you are more advanturous, you may want to install OpenWRT on the EA7500 v2 in the future which brings more FW features than the Linksys EA7500 v2 stock FW or even the Linksys Velop MX4200.

2) Option 2 -- Velop MX4200 is the main router so you will not lose the FW features like in Option 1. You have to use wireless backhaul in this case. This option will have worse wireless performance compared to Option 1. As long as the 2nd Velop can have good link to the main Velop, it will still be okay since Velop MX4200 is a triband AX mesh solution designed to work with wireless backhaul.

3) New Option: Option 3 -- since your DB box does not block WiFi badly, you can try put the main Linksys Velop MX4200 in the DB box. You can keep Velop MX4200 as the main router and you can use Ethernet backhaul. Wireless coverage may not be as good as Option 1 though.

ONT -- Velop 4200 as main router in DB box (wireless to hall, kitchen and service yard) -- patch panel
LAN port in master room or bedroom 2 -- Velop 4200 mesh node -- wireless to MBR and Bedroom 2

4) You may want to post the floor plan to see which of the above is the better one for you. Or you can just test all three options. You can see that there are trade-offs in all three options. So it is better you test different configurations and then select the best option for you.

All in all, two nodes of Velop MX4200 is usually good enough for typical flats (two to three bedroom flat) in Singapore as long as you place them correctly. Three nodes may give your extra advantages but of course you pay more. And sometimes 3 nodes may be required if you have some constraints.

 

[ahgao86]

Both options will work.

1) Option 1 -- Ethernet backhaul achieved if you set up the Velop MX4200 in AP mode. EA7500 v2 is the main router. This option may provide the best wireless performnce. But since the Velop MX4200 is in AP mode, you lose some FW features of the Velop MX4200.

As long as you are not using a lot of devices, EA7500 V2 should still be good enough as the main router. If you are more advanturous, you may want to install OpenWRT on the EA7500 v2 in the future which brings more FW features than the Linksys EA7500 v2 stock FW or even the Linksys Velop MX4200.

2) Option 2 -- Velop MX4200 is the main router so you will not lose the FW features like in Option 1. You have to use wireless backhaul in this case. This option will have worse wireless performance compared to Option 1. As long as the 2nd Velop can have good link to the main Velop, it will still be okay since Velop MX4200 is a triband AX mesh solution designed to work with wireless backhaul.

3) Option 3 -- since your DB box does not block WiFi badly, you can try put the main Linksys Velop MX4200 in the DB box. You can keep Velop MX4200 as the main router and you can use Ethernet backhaul. Wireless coverage may not be as good as Option 1 though.

ONT -- Velop 4200 as main router in DB box (wireless to hall, kitchen and service yard) -- patch panel
LAN port in master room or bedroom 2 -- Velop 4200 mesh node -- wireless to MBR and Bedroom 2

4) You may want to post the floor plan to see which of the above is the better one for you. Or you can just test all three options.

All in all, two nodes of Velop MX4200 is usually good enough for typical flats (two to three bedroom flat) in Singapore as long as you place them correctly. Three nodes may give your extra advantages but of course you pay more. And sometimes 3 nodes may be required if you have some constraints.

Hi Xiaofan, attaching my floor plan here. The green star is the location of the db cabinet and patch panels. The other numbers in green is where the location on the wall where the patch panel links to. Actually, having 1 single velop node at the location of the red box can sufficiently cover the house, however signal is a little weaker at the service yard and also the master room. Mbr toilet is where the signal drops. What would you suggest if I want to have good coverage plus speed? Thank you once again in advance!

 

[xiaofan]

Hi Xiaofan, attaching my floor plan here. The green star is the location of the db cabinet and patch panels. The other numbers in green is where the location on the wall where the patch panel links to. Actually, having 1 single velop node at the location of the red box can sufficiently cover the house, however signal is a little weaker at the service yard and also the master room. Mbr toilet is where the signal drops. What would you suggest if I want to have good coverage plus speed? Thank you once again in advance!

You are not sharing the floor plan in Google Drive properly so that I can not access it. Please try again. Thanks.

 

[ahgao86]

You are not sharing the floor plan in Google Drive properly so that I can not access it. Please try again. Thanks.

So sorry I forgot to allow others to view on my drive. Haha. Apologies.

 

[xiaofan]

So sorry I forgot to allow others to view on my drive. Haha. Apologies.

No problem. Now I can see the floor plan.

I will suggest you give Option 3 a try first to see if it is good enough or not. It seems to me this is the only option which is good for the service yard. If not you can test Option 1 and Option 2.

ONT -- Velop 4200 as main router in DB box (wireless to hall, kitchen and service yard) -- patch panel
LAN port in master room -- Velop 4200 mesh node -- wireless to MBR and Bedroom 2

 

[ahgao86]

No problem. Now I can see the floor plan.

I will suggest you give Option 3 a try first to see if it is good enough or not. It seems to me this is the only option which is good for the service yard. If not you can test Option 1 and Option 2.

ONT -- Velop 4200 as main router in DB box (wireless to hall, kitchen and service yard) -- patch panel
LAN port in master room -- Velop 4200 mesh node -- wireless to MBR and Bedroom 2

Thanks Xiaofan! Will try this out. Which room do you think would be good to place the second node for better coverage??

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks Xiaofan! Will try this out. Which room do you think would be good to place the second node for better coverage??

As mentioned above, the master room.

 

[ahgao86]

As mentioned above, the master room.

Alright thank you!

 

[_underthebutterfly]

RT-AX56U in the DB box and RT-AX55 outside. RT-AX56U is better as a router as it has 512MB RAM and USB port (future Merlin FW update). RT-AX55 is as good as RT-AX56U when running as an AP -- similar wireless performance and coverage (same CPU, same AX3000 wireless specification).

Thank you so much!

i have a question, asking on behalf of my brother

his unit is a resale with only one LAN port in the living room. He is using a deco M9 mesh node in the living room beside the modem and another M9 mesh in the MBR. but the MBR has bad signal

He has a tplink AX72 lying around. Is there a way to improve the wifi signals around the house without any additional laying of cables etc?

 

[xiaofan]

Thank you so much!

i have a question, asking on behalf of my brother

his unit is a resale with only one LAN port in the living room. He is using a deco M9 mesh node in the living room beside the modem and another M9 mesh in the MBR. but the MBR has bad signal

He has a tplink AX72 lying around. Is there a way to improve the wifi signals around the house without any additional laying of cables etc?

Floor plan please with detail of the placement of the current ONT and M9 units. Without floor plan it is difficult to answer the question.

Most likely the placement of the second Deco M9+ is not correct. For Wireless Backhaul to work properly, the mesh node needs to have good communication with the main node, which usually means at most one solid wall in between.

Another thing, TP-Link Archer AX72 may have better coverage than single unit of Deco M9+ so it may help a bit. But it can not form mesh with the Deco M9+.

 

[_underthebutterfly]

Floor plan please with detail of the placement of the current ONT and M9 units. Without floor plan it is difficult to answer the question.

Most likely the placement of the second Deco M9+ is not correct. For Wireless Backhaul to work properly, the mesh node needs to have good communication with the main node, which usually means at most one solid wall in between.

Another thing, TP-Link Archer AX72 may have better coverage than single unit of Deco M9+ so it may help a bit. But it can not form mesh with the Deco M9+.

Ah okay, thanks xiaofan - I’ll see if I can get the floor plan. Else I think he will just try placing the second node to be in clear view of the first node

 

[xiaofan]

No so sure if SG will adopt FTTR in the future.
https://www.huawei.com/en/huaweitech/inspiration-lab/fttr-solution
Some users may even consider laying Fibre along with LAN cable.