Eero VLAN options or alternative MESH?

[cruisinbeatz]

Hey folks, In short, I have a eero mesh system in my home, all wired back to the initial hub as its an old house, so the mesh part is less dependent on wireless. Anyhow, I have 4 eero hubs, all 6E I think.

I am looking to get VLANs, and I am aware you cant have multiple VLANs with the Eero system, so I am wondering if anyone can help me in regard to what my options are? Is there a way around this or do I have to get a new wireless mesh system that can do the job.

I want separate VLANs for my smart home setup as I have so many little devices, it's hard to keep control of them and I want them all to work locally and block outside access to them for safety etc. I have a few more things I would like on a separate VLAN also but that is the main one.

All help would be greatly appreciated and if you could keep in mind that I'm not made of money, so setups in the high 3 figures or in the 4 figures are a no-go area for me. Perhaps something decent but doesn't cost the earth if possible. Thank you.

 

[GregI]

so the mesh part is less dependent on wireless.

I hate what companies have done with marketing tech like this. Mesh in its entirety is just wireless from the 802.11s standard. No wires exist in that scenario between nodes. What you have is just wired access points likely with fast roaming 802.11r enabled on the Eero system.

Anyhow, I have 4 eero hubs, all 6E I think.

Are you sure you need 4? When it comes to wifi, generally less is more especially due to interference. 1 AP per floor is usually more than adequate (nothing about speeds required so hard to fully say).

if you could keep in mind that I'm not made of money, so setups in the high 3 figures or in the 4 figures are a no-go area for me.

Any time cost is involved I always bring up OpenWRT capable routers. One of the main reasons it's so popular is due to the vlan capabilities with lots of guides available in setup. Not going to sugar coat... it would be like a good solid day of reading to configure the units but after that you have a system where you are always in control.

Cost wise, if you keep your eyes peeled I've seen wifi 6 OpenWRT routers sell for under £30 new (e.g last week D-Link M30 was £25.99). If you need one now you can look at Cudy WR3000 line. Round about £30 per unit. WR3000E preferred as it has way more flash memory. Seen that on deal for £32.

 

[cruisinbeatz]

I hate what companies have done with marketing tech like this. Mesh in its entirety is just wireless from the 802.11s standard. No wires exist in that scenario between nodes. What you have is just wired access points likely with fast roaming 802.11r enabled on the Eero system.

Oh I never thought on it like that, jees I'm stupid. Can fast roaming be enabeled on standard access points?

Are you sure you need 4? When it comes to wifi, generally less is more especially due to interference. 1 AP per floor is usually more than adequate (nothing about speeds required so hard to fully say).

I started with 2, they wouldnt cover the house and its not a big house but its old. I then wanted it outside in in our sheds which are actually quite close but the wireless wouldnt travel so I ran ethernet to them.

Any time cost is involved I always bring up OpenWRT capable routers. One of the main reasons it's so popular is due to the vlan capabilities with lots of guides available in setup. Not going to sugar coat... it would be like a good solid day of reading to configure the units but after that you have a system where you are always in control.

Oh I heard of that before but I never read into it, I think was that the firmware/software that some got to rub on BT Hubs? I have a few old bt hubs that are wifi 6

Cost wise, if you keep your eyes peeled I've seen wifi 6 OpenWRT routers sell for under £30 new (e.g last week D-Link M30 was £25.99). If you need one now you can look at Cudy WR3000 line. Round about £30 per unit. WR3000E preferred as it has way more flash memory. Seen that on deal for £32.

Oh those sound right up my street, are those able to be in a mesh or mostly wireless access points?



Also, I forgot to say I use the 2.5GB ports on the Eero's so I assume they are the 6E versions. I bought a few off ebay.

 

[GregI]

Oh I never thought on it like that, jees I'm stupid. Can fast roaming be enabeled on standard access points?

Don't be. It's the companies with their marketing forcing people to believe that. I don't know about many other software vendors but OpenWRT does.

I started with 2, they wouldnt cover the house and its not a big house but its old. I then wanted it outside in in our sheds which are actually quite close but the wireless wouldnt travel so I ran ethernet to them.

One weakness of the Eero is actually the range compared to other brands. I think they artifically limit output power to make people buy more. The Max 7 they sell for over £400 has worse range than all their products. You can probably get away with 3 with another brand for sure.

I think was that the firmware/software that some got to rub on BT Hubs? I have a few old bt hubs that are wifi 6

Yip. Unfortunately it's only the really old hubs that could be flashed. The wifi 6 ones are completely different unfortunately or would be perfect for this scenario.

Oh those sound right up my street, are those able to be in a mesh or mostly wireless access points?

That's what is great about OpenWRT. You could:

1: Set up wireless mesh
2: Set them up as wireless access points with fast roaming enabled (so same SSID on all access points)
3: Do both. Don't feel like cabling up an access point but want others cabled up? B.A.T.M.A.N. has you covered. Abit more advanced but very possible.

Also, I forgot to say I use the 2.5GB ports on the Eero's so I assume they are the 6E versions. I bought a few off ebay.

Yeah the 6E is the only 6 model with a 2.5 Gbps port. IIRC it's a 2.5 Gbps port and 1 Gbps port on the 6E. Cudy has simialr products like the WR3000H but they go to about £50. They also have the M3000 3 pack right now for £102 on a deal for the next 6 hours. Can't link due to competitor rules but easy to find.

If you want WAN 2.5 and a LAN 2.5 for full wired speeds you would need to get something like the Zyxel EX5601. One on the bay preflashed with OpenWRT right now for £70 (after coupon). One of the best routers you can get, have it myself.