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PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
I have to explain my environment a bit. I'm in an apartment where the Internet access point is near the entrance at one end of the apartment, but my office (where I really need it) is in a bedroom at the other end of the apartment. In between them is the master bedroom. I can get very good speeds (Internet access around 300 Mbps) on wifi in the area around the entrance. It only drops slightly in the master bedroom (200 - 275 Mbps). However, in the office, it drops significantly (2 - 5 Mbps). My provider says that is because there is a refrigerator and a few other things between the router and the office.
Sooo, I tried Netgear PLP2000 powerline adapter units at the router, in the master bedroom, and in the office. I still get really good speeds in the master bedroom, but only about 10 Mbps in the office. If I muck around with which plugin I use, I can sometimes get the middle light to turn green, but the speeds just aren't good. For now, I have an ethernet cable running from the powerline adapter in thee master bedroom to a switch in the office, and I'm getting around 200 Mbps, which is more than adequate. However, I don't really want that cable laying around to trip over and be a bit unsightly.
My question is... would I be better to keep the PLP2000 in the master bedroom, and connect some type of wifi access point to it there (since it's right next to the office and gets good speed), or should I go with a wifi extender in the master bedroom, and just have it connecting to the main router? Since the master bedroom is right next to the office, I'm assuming that the wifi issues would not exist between there and the office (i.e. there is nothing but a wall between).
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
The orbi devices do support both wired and wireless backhaul connections. And they can use both at the same time. I have some using wireless and some using the wired backhaul.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
Its not something we can say 100% "go this route as it'll work better"
Apartments are challenging because there's so many things that can cause interference or block signals (like a fridge) and cause issues.
An extender might not be a bad idea so you pick up the signal from an angle.
It *might* work and be ideal. Or there might be enough interference from something else that causes issues.
You've already tried the powerline route and know it has issues. If you wanted to try the extender route, I'd recommend buying from somewhere with a generous return policy so if it doesn't give you the performance you expect, you can always return it.
My provider says that is because there is a refrigerator and a few other things between the router and the office.
I find that a strange suggestion. Is the ISP talking about wifi interference there?
One thing to consider is trying to suppress the noise from that domestic hardware.
There are two lots of noise to consider, wifi and mains. Netgear advises against using noise suppression mains sockets for plugs, but it might be worth trying to cut back on the mains noise with a noise suppressing adapter for the fridge.
Apart from that idea, I'd heed what @plemans suggests.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
Thanks @plemans for the info. I'm currently trying a "mesh" network, both as a router and as an access point. Both are giving me much better speeds than the powerline adapter, but they're still dropping a lot of speed in that one area. I have been mucking around with placement to see where it works better and have it working to a point that is acceptable. However, I'm greedy, so may try some other options to see if I can get the speed bumped up in the office.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
Thanks, @michaelkenward. The fridge is physically directly in line between the router and the office, so I'm assuming the provider tech was referring to the metal of the fridge blocking the wifi signal, but maybe it creates other interference, as well. It's just kind of weird that the wifi is so dead in that one room, while being exceptional everywhere else. As I mentioned in my other reply, I'm trying out a mesh network, as it kind of tests out the access point concept.
Thanks, @michaelkenward. The fridge is physically directly in line between the router and the office, so I'm assuming the provider tech was referring to the metal of the fridge blocking the wifi signal, but maybe it creates other interference, as well. It's just kind of weird that the wifi is so dead in that one room, while being exceptional everywhere else. As I mentioned in my other reply, I'm trying out a mesh network, as it kind of tests out the access point concept.
I can't tell from your first message if it is the wifi that is slow in the office, or the Powerline, or both.
If it is a wifi thing, and if it is the fridge – Americans buy fridges that are bigger than some kitchens in other countries – you could investigate using Powerline to deliver wired Ethernet to devices in that room.
As this is an office, you probably have a wired PC. Powerline LAN might cut through wifi interference.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
@michaelkenward and @plemans , thanks for your advice. To answer the one question, BOTH wifi and powerline adapter are very slow in the office. BOTH powerlline and wifi are very good in the master bedroom, which is between and on the other side of the hallway. I tried a TP-Link (that was all they had at the time) mesh network with a base and two satellites. I got a bit better wifi signal, but not spectacular. However, I discovered that the satellites don't piggy back on each other, so both were going back to the main source, making it no better than the way I started. I checked with TP-Link and they confirmed that the satellites won't talk to each other... just to the base. Kind of a dumb setup, if you ask me. I returned that unit and am back to the long cable. i still think an access point in the bedroom, or a mesh system where the units can connect to each other might be a possibility. Anyone know if the Netgear mesh units work that way? I don't really need mesh, as I only need internet in that one room, but the advantage of the mesh system is that I only have one network to connect to, so everything can be on the same network. If I go to an access point, I believe I'm going to end up with a new IP address to connect to, which is a pain, as I have multiple computers, several Amazon Alexa units, a wireless Sonos sound system, two nVidia Shield android TV boxes, and a bunch of wifi smart light bulbs that wouldn't all be able to talk to each other, nor would I be able to connect to all of them with my mobile devices. Is there any way to extend a wifi signal without changing the network address?
I tried a TP-Link (that was all they had at the time) mesh network with a base and two satellites. I got a bit better wifi signal, but not spectacular. However, I discovered that the satellites don't piggy back on each other, so both were going back to the main source, making it no better than the way I started.
I'm not sure what you mean by "piggy back". If the idea is to have one satellite talk to the router and pass the wifi on to a second satellite, that is usually known as "daisy chain" configuration.
This is possible with Orbi satellites.
These offer both daisy chain and "star" configurations.
I don't really need mesh, as I only need internet in that one room, but the advantage of the mesh system is that I only have one network to connect to, so everything can be on the same network. If I go to an access point, I believe I'm going to end up with a new IP address to connect to....
Again, I'm not clear on this bit. Regardless of the IP address, an access point can have whatever SSID and password you like. It can be the same as the router.
In effect, it is one network, although wifi clients have to switch between wifi sources as you move around. In my experience there is no inconvenience involved as the clients make the move without me even noticing, with or without the same SSID.
The idea that two Mesh satellites can't talk to one another seems to break the whole idea of Mesh. But maybe we are talking about two different things. Handing wifi clients over from one to the other rather than talking to one another as links in a chain.
By the way, Mesh satellites also have separate IP addresses. They have to if the router is to do its thing.
The whole point of Mesh is that the wifi sources cooperate and as you move from one to another providing a seamless handover.
You may not need Mesh for devices that don't move around because they will always talk to the same wifi source, but you won't see anything happening and I don't see how that can be "a pain".
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
@michaelkenward , you are correct that Daisy Chaining is what I want. I want the bedroom to use the base as it's source, and I want the office to use the bedroom as it's source. If the office uses the base as it's source, I'm no better off than I was with just the router, as the office still gets a crappy signal. The TP-link won't do that, although they say it may in a future firmware.
Sorry, I definitely am not a network specialist. Just know enough to be dangerous. The guy at the store told me an access point would be useless due to the network id being different. However, based on your message, it sounds like it would work fine. Here was the major problem I had when I installed the TP-link mesh. I have a smart TV, Sonos Arc, and nVidia Shield connected (hard wired) by ethernet to the main (ISP) router. When I set up the TP-link, my iPhone could no longer communicate with these devices to control them, as it was on the new wifi network and couldn't see them. I solved it by running a hard wire from the TP-link router to those devices. My assumption was that I would have the same problem with an access point. The wifi devices would be on one network, and the hard wired devices would be on another. Are you saying that there is a way to have them all connected to each other?
If the Orbi system can daisy chain, then that would likely work very well. However, if an access point can have the same SSID as the main router, that would be just as good. Basically, I have good speed (in the bedroom) half way to the office. I would somehow like to have the office connect to that (the bedroom) as it's wifi source instead of the main router. The wifi signal from the main router will just barely reach the office at 5ghz and is very slow.
So, am I correct that:
1) I could use the Orbi mesh system and just use wifi everywhere, along with the ethernet connections running from the Orbi base?
2) I could put an accesspoint in the bedroom, where the signal is strong, and then broadcast it so that the office could pick it up. I could make the SSID on the accesspoint the same as the main (ISP) router so that all devices could communicate?
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
The orbi devices do support both wired and wireless backhaul connections. And they can use both at the same time. I have some using wireless and some using the wired backhaul.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
Thanks, @plemans . So, do you think the Orbi Pro SRK60 with just the one satellite would do the trick? I could just put the satellite part way down the hallway. Would I want to replace my ISP router with the Orbi router, or would I just plug it in to the ISP router?
Would I want to replace my ISP router with the Orbi router, or would I just plug it in to the ISP router?
What is that ISP router?
I can't find any earlier mention of this. We should have asked.
If it is a combined modem/router and you don't want to replace it, you have two options:
Put the modem/router into modem only (bridge) mode.
Put the Orbi router into AP mode,
Not all modem/routers have an easily set up bridge mode. That's why it helps to give people the full details of what is on your network.
A router in AP mode disables some features, but it does not interfere with its ability to communicate with satellites. That is how I run an Orbi network. But you will then have to think about the wifi networks you create. I find it causes no problems, but from what you have said before I can't guarantee that something in there won't upset you.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
@michaelkenward , the router provided by my ISP is an Arris NVG448BQ. I don't know much about it, other than that they recently replace my old one with it, and I definitely get much better speeds, now. I was under the impression that I have to use this router. Something to do with ISP setup.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
@plemans , the reason I was looking at the SRK60 is because it's currently on sale for half price, making it actually cheaper than all the home ones. I assume because it's not wifi 6.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
@michaelkenward , I spoke with my ISP. I have two boxes. I thought the white one was the modem, and the black Arris one was the router. Turns out the white box is the ONT, and the black box is the modem AND router. Therefore, that box has to stay. However, they did say that it can be put in bridge mode if I get a static IP.
I thought the white one was the modem, and the black Arris one was the router. Turns out the white box is the ONT, and the black box is the modem AND router. Therefore, that box has to stay. However, they did say that it can be put in bridge mode if I get a static IP.
Not much of that makes sense to me.
An ONT is an optical network terminator/terminal.
An ONT gobbles up the input from a fibre connection and turns it into something that you can feed your network.
An ONT does not feed a modem. Modems are for cable and DSL services, not optical.
An ONT often just spits out Ethernet. But who knows, without any knowledge of what your ONT is?
How about looking at these boxes, reading the labels on them, and telling people here what they are.
Talk of "a static IP" is also puzzling. It usually has nothing to do with "bridge mode". That's something you do on the device.
Did you ever say who your ISP is? Many ISPs are ignorant beyond belief and have limited understanding of the devices that customers connect to their networks. That's why they like to blame customer equipment for any problems.
Re: PLP2000 + Wireless access point to cover dead zone
@michaelkenward , maybe I have one of those not-so-bright ISPs. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, so we have our own provincial government ISP (SaskTel).
Here is the transcript from my chat with them:
2021/05/08, 12:41:26 CST Zachary Thank you, how can I assist you today?
2021/05/08, 12:42:04 CST Sheldon Tanner I don't have a problem. I would like to install a mesh network in my home, and I'm just wondering if I can replace the existing SaskTel (Arris) router and connect my own router to the modem, or is it required?
2021/05/08, 12:42:27 CST Zachary Oh I see, yes and no.
2021/05/08, 12:42:48 CST Sheldon Tanner The other option was if I could put it into bridge mode.
2021/05/08, 12:43:33 CST Zachary So typically you do need a Sasktel modem connected to authenticate with us, you can configure your modem after its authenticated to join the correct VLAN for our internet service, but thats not really supported by us.
2021/05/08, 12:44:21 CST Zachary Other options are port bridging as you mentioned. But that does require you to setup a static IP address with us, which can be included on faster plans.
2021/05/08, 12:44:45 CST Sheldon Tanner ok. I don't have a problem with that.
2021/05/08, 12:45:08 CST Zachary For most customers just connecting your modem to one of the 4 ethernet ports should be more than enough, unless you are specifically looking to bypass the Sasktel equipments firewall.
2021/05/08, 12:45:53 CST Sheldon Tanner No. I just thought that two routers back to back would cause problems. I'm assuming the white box is the modem and the black Arris box is the router?
2021/05/08, 12:46:38 CST Zachary The white box is the "ONT" or optical network terminal, it translates the fiber optic light signal into an electrical one modems will understand.
2021/05/08, 12:47:07 CST Sheldon Tanner Oh, ok. so the other box is the modem AND the router.
2021/05/08, 12:47:34 CST Zachary Correct, the white box only knows HOW to send the signal, the black on makes the decision on WHERE to send it
2021/05/08, 12:48:06 CST Sheldon Tanner But you think it is possible to bridge that box, or even just connect directly to it?
2021/05/08, 12:48:53 CST Zachary Yes, it can be done if you have some knowledge-able networking experience. But we do not support that at sasktel, or help you configure it.
2021/05/08, 12:49:31 CST Zachary We can help bridging the modem, but before we take those steps you will need to speak with our sales team to configure an static IP address
2021/05/08, 12:50:54 CST Sheldon Tanner ok. Well, I'll maybe do that, anyways (the static IP), as it has other advantages. I'm wondering if I can just covert the mesh router to be an access point, and then just connect it to the Arris router, without having to bridge.
2021/05/08, 12:52:01 CST Zachary if you have compatible equipment it could work, but unfortunatly we do not have a list of what equipment does work with the NVG's HNC function for facilitating amesh
