Access points & Mesh network ethernet backhaul

[IamAxelFoley]

Hello,

Networking question:
I have CAT 6 ethernet cable run into every room in my UK house.
I have a mesh network running which is Wi-Fi 6 (Deco X20 - well reviewed users). 50% (3 of them) are working over ethernet backhaul.
However, I am struggling with large drop offs in Wi-fi speeds. Down from 150mb over the Ethernet plugged in devices to 25mb Wi-Fi devices nearly always. I think some of this is down to the solid walls we have in our house. We don't have stud walls anywhere. I have a Starlink router running (bypass mode) into the mesh network which acts as the router. Fast roaming turned on and 2.4 and 5 channels both active on auto.

I am thinking about swapping out the mesh network for a few access points instead. The access points will be run solely off the ethernet over POE and will allow roaming like a mesh network. My theory being that the mesh network is simply amplifying an already poor signal where as a access point will emits it own strong signal. However, that theory falls over because of the mesh network ethernet backhaul unless I am wrong?
Secondly, the access points will run over POE. However, a lot of my devices plugged in are not POE items...TVS, PlayStation etc. Am I right in thinking the ethernet switch will be POE but the items won't receive power unless they call for it? Providing the POE switch is not a passive one. I don't want to fry items. My current switch is not POE but I was thinking about either by an injector or just a new POE switch. Again thoughts needed!

I am not an network engineer but just a slightly tech interest finance person keen on better Wi-Fi speeds.

Teach me please!

Also, to provide answers for those interested. I use Starlink because we don't have fibre and mobile broadband is terrible across the networks in my location; it is my only option. The Starlink router generation 3 cannot reach across my house so I need a larger Wi-Fi network either via a mesh network or access point.

 

[radderfire]

Yes solid walls will block radio signals so this can affect your mesh network performance. Have you tried moving your mesh devices around much?

 

[IamAxelFoley]

Yes, tried them in several locations. Looking on the deco app they all hold strong signal bar one. Plus 50% are on ethernet backhaul. Also, if stand next to a ethernet mesh node, Wi-Fi still as it is in a different room. Could it be the Starlink router not working correctly with the Deco mesh network? Throttling the network somehow?

 

[radderfire]

I don't have a mesh network myself, so somebody else will be able to better advise you on how to fault find this. However, searching on "how to fault find a mesh network" or "how to troubleshoot a mesh network" will give you some ideas if you want to try this.

What I will say, based on posts here about having thick walls, is that access points in each room is likely to give you a much better experience, so that is probably going to be the way to go.

 

[Avalon]

Let's start with the basics, in this scenario think of your wired mesh nodes as being the functional equivalent of wired access points, replacing them with access points won't make a difference on a like for like basis. Next up, PoE switches are auto sensing, you can plug non PoE devices into them, but again, it's not relevant to your issue. Your actual issue is slow speeds, so why not investigate the actual cause here? Something like iperf3 and check bandwidth over the wired connection between devices, you should be getting around 940mbit over wired, if you're getting 150mbit as a high point between wired devices, something else is wrong - your connection is only as fast as the slowest link, could be the device/storage or the connection.

What I will say, based on posts here about having thick walls, is that access points in each room is likely to give you a much better experience, so that is probably going to be the way to go.

Poor advice

 

[radderfire]

As he's using Starlink then 150mb is probably the maximum internet speed he can get.

As he's getting 150mb over Ethernet, but only 25mb over WiFi, then it's only a problem with his WiFi.

I would say the issue lies either with the configuration between the Starlink router and the Mesh network, or the Mesh network layout (which he's said he's tried changing). If he's not getting a good speed when standing near an ethernet connected mesh node, then that does seem odd to me.

 

[Avalon]

Hence, why identifying and understanding the actual bottleneck is important. If it's the WAN side, that's Starlink which tends to vary based on my - admittedly limited - testing. But your suggestion of throwing AP's in to replace wired nodes will accomplish almost nothing other than the ability to set channels and fine tune, which seemingly isn't the issue here.

OP: If you have cable to each room, why are only 50% of the nodes wired? I mean that literally seems like a zero cost easy win here.

 

[IamAxelFoley]

Hence, why identifying and understanding the actual bottleneck is important. If it's the WAN side, that's Starlink which tends to vary based on my - admittedly limited - testing. But your suggestion of throwing AP's in to replace wired nodes will accomplish almost nothing other than the ability to set channels and fine tune, which seemingly isn't the issue here.

OP: If you have cable to each room, why are only 50% of the nodes wired? I mean that literally seems like a zero cost easy win here.

I really appreciate everyone's input - thank you.

Your comments is my thought process. I can't see how Access Points will help as the mesh network is already virtually there. I bought the mesh network in my old home without ethernet cables in the walls. Hence why I use it now as it supports backhaul.
The remaining three mesh nodes - 1 was actually wired (doh). The remaining two I will wire today. I had not wired them yet due to it not helping the other 4. I make my own Ethernet cables...
1 node is in the airing cupboard currently so that needs a slightly longer cable (around 4 metres) to a port in the loft. The other I will wire up shortly.
I will also try a different modem to see I establish if its a Starlink to Deco issue - perhaps a compatibility issue....

 

[IamAxelFoley]

Let's start with the basics, in this scenario think of your wired mesh nodes as being the functional equivalent of wired access points, replacing them with access points won't make a difference on a like for like basis. Next up, PoE switches are auto sensing, you can plug non PoE devices into them, but again, it's not relevant to your issue. Your actual issue is slow speeds, so why not investigate the actual cause here? Something like iperf3 and check bandwidth over the wired connection between devices, you should be getting around 940mbit over wired, if you're getting 150mbit as a high point between wired devices, something else is wrong - your connection is only as fast as the slowest link, could be the device/storage or the connection.


Poor advice

I will test this. But the headline Starlink data speed doesn't look far off 150mb based on their app data. So I remain convinced its a Wi-Fi issue.

I am now leaning towards a compatibility issue between Starlink and the Deco Mesh network. I am also going to try different ports on the startlink and mesh networks. Could be a poor port. Thank you.

Glad I didn't just order some APs. I doubt I would be any further forward but much lighter.

 

[Avalon]

One of the quirks of Deco can be they switch over to wireless backhaul occasionally, and it's only noticeable if it's slow, and you investigate, or you happen to notice in the app - my son's node did this, and I only noticed when he complained about slower downloads. Wire them up, check the connection status shows wired in the app and do some speed testing using a local server, iperf3 may look a little daunting, but the basics are pretty simple, and you can confirm that your WLAN is doing what it should. After that, it's the router/WAN side, and my - admittedly limited - understanding of Starlink is it's a little more variable than a fixed line product and seemingly managed for larger downloads.

 

[IamAxelFoley]

One of the quirks of Deco can be they switch over to wireless backhaul occasionally, and it's only noticeable if it's slow, and you investigate, or you happen to notice in the app - my son's node did this, and I only noticed when he complained about slower downloads. Wire them up, check the connection status shows wired in the app and do some speed testing using a local server, iperf3 may look a little daunting, but the basics are pretty simple, and you can confirm that your WLAN is doing what it should. After that, it's the router/WAN side, and my - admittedly limited - understanding of Starlink is it's a little more variable than a fixed line product and seemingly managed for larger downloads.

Great I really appreciate your advice. I have learnt some bits!
Good to know about the POE not frying my devices too!
The wireless backhaul would explains bits but Starlink may well be causing some of the issues.

 

[radderfire]

If you are using your Starlink in Bypass mode, then its router functionality is switched off, as well as its WiFi functionality, is that correct?

Therefore, your main Deco X20 unit, connected to Starlink via ethernet, would be acting as your router, correct?

When you say you are connecting your other Deco mesh units via ethernet, what are you connecting them to?

 

[IamAxelFoley]

If you are using your Starlink in Bypass mode, then its router functionality is switched off, as well as its WiFi functionality, is that correct?

Therefore, your main Deco X20 unit, connected to Starlink via ethernet, would be acting as your router, correct?

When you say you are connecting your other Deco mesh units via ethernet, what are you connecting them to?

Hello,
Yes the Startlink turns off the router functions and becomes a modem as I understand it. The Wi-Fi from the Starlink router is no longer active. The Deco X20 unit is now the router.
I have connected the other Deco X20 units to the "main" Deco X20 via Ethernet through an NETGEAR 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch. One cable from the "Main" Deco X20 to the Switch. Then all other Decos feed from there.

 

[radderfire]

So when you are in the room with the "main" Deco X20, what speed can you get over WiFi?

If this speed, say x mb, is below the expected Starlink maximum (say 150mb), can you test the speed possible over ethernet by connecting a laptop or PC directly to the "main" Deco with an ethernet cable? If when testing over ethernet, you also get x mb, then you know the problem is with the Deco negotiating with the Starlink, and not a WiFi issue.

 

[GregI]

Surprised nobody said it but have you considered taking out units? The more is less solution. I don't know your situation but unless you're in a 18 bedroom mansion, 6 seems way too much.

What's probbaly happening is the 6 are on the same wifi channel. Way too much interference going on. If I was you, take it down to 3 and just try and strategically place to limit interference.