Xiaomi Router Mesh Network

[sadstarcul]

I am not sure if this has been asked and addressed. Basically, I was try to set up a mesh network using Ethernet backhaul.

I have a Redmi AX5 in master bed room as an additional access point to enhance WIFI network coverage. And I recently bought a new Redmi AX3000 used as the main router in living room.

I live in a new HDB 5 room flat. I am with Singtel and using Huawei HG8244H ONR - it is placed in DB Box. To save trouble, I'd like to just optimise the current cabling to set up a mesh network. I am not willing to modify cabling or adding cables..

After searching online, I find that mesh network by AP mode will work with my current cabling configuration and I have tried it out and it work. Xiaomi's latest firmware adds the mesh by AP mode.

Sharing my experience below, if there is a better way to improve network performance (eg other mesh set up), please let me know.

Set up
- Connect Redmi Ax3000 in living room to lan point and connect laptop via lan to AX3000
- Go into Miwifi webpage, set it up using "有线中继", set up wireless network (eg network ID and password)
- Bring Redmi AX5 to living room (after firmware update and reset) nearby Ax3000, power up
- In Miwifi webpage, add Mesh Mode, and add Redmi AX5
- After mesh network set up, bring Redmi AX5 back to master room and connect to the lan point

Performance
using Redmi K20 Pro (WIFI 5)
Speed in Living room (with Ax3000)



Speed in middle common room


Speed in Master Room (with AX5)


Speed in Master bath

 

[xiaofan]

Nice post. Thanks.

What is the test device? If the device is an Wifi 5 device (2*2 AC 80MHz on 5GHz band), then the speed looks pretty good already. If you have 2*2 AX (Wifi 6) device, for example, laptop with Intel AX200 (2*2 AC 160MHz on 5GHz band), then the speed should be a bit higher.

 

[sadstarcul]

Nice post. Thanks.

What is the test device? If the device is an Wifi 5 device (2*2 AC 80MHz on 5GHz band), then the speed looks pretty good already. If you have 2*2 AX (Wifi 6) device, for example, laptop with Intel AX200 (2*2 AC 160MHz on 5GHz band), then the speed should be a bit higher.

Good point, the tests were done on Redmi K20 Pro (Wifi 5). I did a quick one using my new laptop with Wifi 6 AX201, the speed is almost the same. I didnt turn on the 160MHz on Redmi Ax3000

 

[xiaofan]

Good point, the tests were done on Redmi K20 Pro (Wifi 5). I did a quick one using my new laptop with Wifi 6 AX201, the speed is almost the same. I didnt turn on the 160MHz on Redmi Ax3000

You should turn on the 160MHz and try again. At least the near range speed should go higher (above 700Mbps). I can achieve above 800Mbps with Huawei AX3 Pro. Redmi AX3000 should have similar performance with the Huawei AX3 Pro.

Please try a different SpeedTest server like PT Mora Telematika Indonesia. For wireless, Singtel SpeedTest server tends to give lower number.

The following was with a new Acer Swift 3 with Intel AX201 (2*2 AX 160MHz) adapter, Huawei AX3 Pro router, Singtel 1Gbps plan (ZTE ONT), using PT Mora Telematika Indonesia server. This was probably the best result I have achieved with the Huawei AX3 Pro. But still it is not that difficult to get above 700Mbps.

 

[xiaofan]

Performance of Redmi AX3000 in Chinese, from a Chinese router review site.
https://www.acwifi.net/16656.html

 

[sadstarcul]

You're right - after turning on 160MHZ and switching test server to PT Mora, my laptop on wifi 6 card (AX201) is hitting >900 Mbps...

 

[sadstarcul]

Performance of Redmi AX3000 in Chinese, from a Chinese router review site.
https://www.acwifi.net/16656.html

I have seen this before.

I have been on this Mesh AP network for a few days and I am happy with the network speed that I have now.

Only complaint is that I cannot sure the various router features that Miwifi can configure.

I am not willing to modify the lan cabling, else, better to set up "proper" ethenet backhaul mesh (and not on the AP mode)