Home WiFi: Mesh vs WAP

[Parth_Goyal]

I'm looking for setting up my home network. I have 5 Floors(Residence) + 1 Floor(Maintainence). Entire home's on automation so network would be very populated. On maintainence floor there is modem from ISP and ethernet wire running to all the other 5 floors. So, my entire backhaul is wired.

What would be better

1. Modem(Maintainence Floor) >Router(Maintainence Floor) >Switch >WAP(on each floor)                All WAPs with same SSID and passwords
2. Modem(Maintainence Floor) >OrbiRouter(Maintainence Floor)> Switch >OrbiSatellite(on each floor)

*Star topology in both cases. WAP: WirelessAccessPoint. Orbi: NetgearMeshWiFi

I'm looking for a robust solution with

• Seamless switching while going from one floor to another
• Fast communication b/w all devices in network
• Efficient traffic management

@netgear @Orbi @WAP @Home @homeautomation @MyHomeNetwork 

Thanks in advance .

[Mstrbig · Accepted solution]

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@Parth_Goyal wrote:

Thanks.

So as a final solution is it that Orbi Mesh is better than WAP? But, if WAP supports IEEE 802.11r (which is for smooth handoff) then it is also great.

And if a mesh is installed then caution should be taken while selecting the switch.

Final installation:

Modem(Maintainence Floor) >RBK50 Router Router Mode(Maintainence Floor) >Switch Unmanaged non green >RBS50 (on each floor)

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A tri-band Orbi mesh system will perform far better than an access point, as they don't have to repeat the signal, and they have a dedicated backhaul. The RBR850 and RBR750 have a super fast backahaul channel, which will give you far better performance than Access Points. And the RBK853 and RBK753 have great coverage.

[CrimpOn]

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@Parth_Goyal wrote:

I'm looking for a robust solution with

• Seamless switching while going from one floor to another
• Fast communication b/w all devices in network
• Efficient traffic management

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Communication speed and traffic management will be the same for access points or mesh.  "Switching" is where mesh would be different.

The switch is a critical part of the design because (unfortunately) some switches seem to have problems with Orbi satellites. Some are known to work, but Netgear (to my knowledge) has never published a list of switches that work and don't work.

[FURRYe38]

Non managed, non green ethernet switches are preferred. NGs DGS-105/108 should work ok. I haven't tested these. 

I do have D-Links DGS-105/108s and HP ProCurve 1400/1800 series and these do work.

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@Parth_Goyal wrote:

I'm looking for setting up my home network. I have 5 Floors(Residence) + 1 Floor(Maintainence). Entire home's on automation so network would be very populated. On maintainence floor there is modem from ISP and ethernet wire running to all the other 5 floors. So, my entire backhaul is wired.

What would be better

1. Modem(Maintainence Floor) >Router(Maintainence Floor) >Switch >WAP(on each floor)                All WAPs with same SSID and passwords
2. Modem(Maintainence Floor) >OrbiRouter(Maintainence Floor)> Switch >OrbiSatellite(on each floor)

*Star topology in both cases. WAP: WirelessAccessPoint. Orbi: NetgearMeshWiFi

I'm looking for a robust solution with

• Seamless switching while going from one floor to another
• Fast communication b/w all devices in network
• Efficient traffic management

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[Parth_Goyal]

Thanks.

So if I select an appropriate switch then are you suggesting that Orbi Mesh would be better than WAP?

[FURRYe38]

IT would be about the same and WAP. Just with MESH, if the connection between the host router and remote satellites goes down while ethernet connected, the remote satellite will auto connect to the host router over wifi. With WAP, if the ethernet connection fails, theres not alternative to establish the connection and the user has to troubleshoot and re-establish the connection with the remote WAP. 

[Mstrbig]

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@Parth_Goyal wrote:

Thanks.

So if I select an appropriate switch then are you suggesting that Orbi Mesh would be better than WAP?

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I woulds suggest the Orbi mesh system over WAP, as it is better technology. I walk around my home and office buildinbg with no issues whatsoever. Used to have access points, and even though they were good, there was always an issue going from one desk to another. 

Make sure you don't sell yourself short and purchase a smaller system. Base it on your square footage and then discount about 35% of the max coverage on the box, so you are not disappointed with the coverage. 

Regarding switches, I use Netgear ProSafe gigabit switches, unless a more pro series switch is needed. They handle traffic seemlessly. 

[FURRYe38]

Is there a specific model# of ProSafe switches that should be used? 

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@Mstrbig wrote:

Make sure you don't sell yourself short and purchase a smaller system. Base it on your square footage and then discount about 35% of the max coverage on the box, so you are not disappointed with the coverage. 

Regarding switches, I use Netgear ProSafe gigabit switches, unless a more pro series switch is needed. They handle traffic seemlessly. 

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[Mstrbig]

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@FURRYe38 wrote:

Is there a specific model# of ProSafe switches that should be used? 

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 It depends on how many ports you need. They range from 5 ports up in the unmanaged models, which is what I use for Orbi router and satellite add on switches.

Unmanaged Models are 5 port-GS105, 8 port-GS108, 16 port-GS116, 24 port-JGS524

They are very inexpensive and have a lifetime warranty. I have never had one fail. And there is no setup, just plug them in and populate them with NICs.

[FURRYe38]

Been thinking about getting a 3rd branded set to test with. I see these have green ethernet though. 

Hopefully won't cause problems between RBR and RBS. 

[Parth_Goyal]

Thanks.

So as a final solution is it that Orbi Mesh is better than WAP? But, if WAP supports IEEE 802.11r (which is for smooth handoff) then it is also great.

And if a mesh is installed then caution should be taken while selecting the switch.

Final installation:

Modem(Maintainence Floor) >RBK50 Router Router Mode(Maintainence Floor) >Switch Unmanaged non green >RBS50 (on each floor)

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[Mstrbig · Accepted solution]

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@Parth_Goyal wrote:

Thanks.

So as a final solution is it that Orbi Mesh is better than WAP? But, if WAP supports IEEE 802.11r (which is for smooth handoff) then it is also great.

And if a mesh is installed then caution should be taken while selecting the switch.

Final installation:

Modem(Maintainence Floor) >RBK50 Router Router Mode(Maintainence Floor) >Switch Unmanaged non green >RBS50 (on each floor)

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

A tri-band Orbi mesh system will perform far better than an access point, as they don't have to repeat the signal, and they have a dedicated backhaul. The RBR850 and RBR750 have a super fast backahaul channel, which will give you far better performance than Access Points. And the RBK853 and RBK753 have great coverage.