Looking to improve WiFi coverage in the house

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

Soldato
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Rollergirl
House is 4 bed, 2 levels.
Currently have 1 x TP-Link AC1200 (C6) in upstairs bed, rear right, which is connected directly to incoming 500Mb fibre. Gadgets downstairs don't get great connection, and the Nest Stat downstairs drops out regularly.

Additional hardware available:
1 x TP-Link AC1200 (VR400)
3 x TP-Link AC1200 (Deco M4R)
1 x EERO

I'm looking to create a "mesh" network and wondering what combination of units to use and how to configure them so they don't all end up like separate individual networks?
I can run Ethernet cables if required.

TIA for any advice - :)
 
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Does the other TP link VR400 router have an access point mode ? If so, just set it up as an access point, it will just be an extension of your current setup then.
Dirk Diggler said:
House is 4 bed, 2 levels.
Currently have 1 x TP-Link AC1200 (C6) in upstairs bed, rear right, which is connected directly to incoming 500Mb fibre. Gadgets downstairs don't get great connection, and the Nest Stat downstairs drops out regularly.

Additional hardware available:
1 x TP-Link AC1200 (VR400)
2 x TP-Link AC1200 (Deco M4R)
1 x EERO

I'm looking to create a "mesh" network and wondering what combination of units to use and how to configure them so they don't all end up like separate individual networks?
I can run Ethernet cables if required.

TIA for any advice - :)
Click to expand...
 
Dirk Diggler said:
House is 4 bed, 2 levels.
Currently have 1 x TP-Link AC1200 (C6) in upstairs bed, rear right, which is connected directly to incoming 500Mb fibre. Gadgets downstairs don't get great connection, and the Nest Stat downstairs drops out regularly.

Additional hardware available:
1 x TP-Link AC1200 (VR400)
2 x TP-Link AC1200 (Deco M4R)
1 x EERO

I'm looking to create a "mesh" network and wondering what combination of units to use and how to configure them so they don't all end up like separate individual networks?
I can run Ethernet cables if required.

TIA for any advice - :)
Click to expand...

Ditch the mesh concept. Buy a single access point (UniFi U6 lite?) and run a cable to the loft and ceiling-mount the access point centrally in the property. This is usually above the stairwell. I bet you’ll get better signal then.
 
WJA96 said:
Ditch the mesh concept. Buy a single access point (UniFi U6 lite?) and run a cable to the loft and ceiling-mount the access point centrally in the property. This is usually above the stairwell. I bet you’ll get better signal then.
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This!
 
WJA96 said:
Ditch the mesh concept. Buy a single access point (UniFi U6 lite?) and run a cable to the loft and ceiling-mount the access point centrally in the property. This is usually above the stairwell. I bet you’ll get better signal then.
Click to expand...
I think he's trying to use equipment he already has as UniFi U6 lite devices are quite pricey.
 
I've set up the Decos, 2 downstairs and 1 upstairs, all 3 linked with Ethernet. So far so good, but will also keep an eye out for UniFi U6 as recommended as it will be no problem to ceiling mount in the attic (at the top of the stairs).
 
I can pick one of these up for £27, would this power the UniFi 6 without issue?

TP-Link PoE Switch 5-Port Gigabit, 4 PoE+ ports up to 30 W for each PoE port and 40 W for all PoE ports, Metal Casing, Plug and Play, Ideal for IP Surveillance and Access Point(TL-SG1005LP)
 
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Dirk Diggler said:
I can pick one of these up for £27, would this power the UniFi 6 without issue?

TP-Link PoE Switch 5-Port Gigabit, 4 PoE+ ports up to 30 W for each PoE port and 40 W for all PoE ports, Metal Casing, Plug and Play, Ideal for IP Surveillance and Access Point(TL-SG1005LP)
Click to expand...
That's the exact one I'm using to power my 6 Pro and AC Pro with no issues.
 
I just bought a bunch of TP-Link Deco M5 and scattered them round the house. To be fair the house has thick walls and solid floors so individual range can be limited but works flawlessly as a mesh if you have enough of them.
 
Orcvader said:
That's the exact one I'm using to power my 6 Pro and AC Pro with no issues.
Click to expand...

I just spent all day installing this and it won't give me any internet connection. Gutted man.

Edit: I've done a little troubleshooting and it's a bit strange. If I plug my modem Ethernet supply into the PoE switch and then plug my PC in then it works perfect, 500Mbps download. Unfortunately, once I add in the cable supplying the U6 Lite then the internet drops out of everything once the U6 boots into blue light.

If I have the U6 plugged in with just the modem supply, it still doesn't work. It's like the U6 just knocks out the internet connection.

Edit 2: Now it's even stranger. I've went to set up my Deco mesh again and I plugged the network switch into the Deco output and now the U6 is working. WTAF!? It works if it isn't plugged directly into the Fibre output?
 
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Dirk Diggler said:
I just spent all day installing this and it won't give me any internet connection. Gutted man.

Edit: I've done a little troubleshooting and it's a bit strange. If I plug my modem Ethernet supply into the PoE switch and then plug my PC in then it works perfect, 500Mbps download. Unfortunately, once I add in the cable supplying the U6 Lite then the internet drops out of everything once the U6 boots into blue light.

If I have the U6 plugged in with just the modem supply, it still doesn't work. It's like the U6 just knocks out the internet connection.

Edit 2: Now it's even stranger. I've went to set up my Deco mesh again and I plugged the network switch into the Deco output and now the U6 is working. WTAF!? It works if it isn't plugged directly into the Fibre output?
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How is everything wired up? You say modem straight to PoE switch, what's doing the routing? The Unifi access points are access points purely, unlike the Deco mesh where the main node can also function as a router.
 
Orcvader said:
How is everything wired up? You say modem straight to PoE switch, what's doing the routing? The Unifi access points are access points purely, unlike the Deco mesh where the main node can also function as a router.
Click to expand...

I'll try my best to explain what's happened, but I think the summary is that the U6 has set itself up as part of the Deco mesh.

I had 3 X Decos set up as a mesh and I wanted to replace them with the U6. The original configuration was an Ethernet cable from my Talk Talk wall outlet to the main Deco. I then run Ethernet cables between the 3 Decos with a network switch between Deco 2 & 3 as I needed to run Ethernet to the PC.

I wanted to test the U6 so I plugged it into the network switch, which is how I realised I needed PoE (just as well I tested!). I then replaced the network switch with a PoE switch and the U6 is working fine.

Next step was to install the U6 on the ceiling and run the Ethernet cable from the wall outlet straight to the U6, with that being the sole access point. And that's when all the trouble began. I'm now using the U6 connected via the Deco network as it's the only way it'll work, and every time a device connects to it then the Deco app gives me an alert to say it's received another connection to the network.
 
Dirk Diggler said:
I'll try my best to explain what's happened, but I think the summary is that the U6 has set itself up as part of the Deco mesh.

I had 3 X Decos set up as a mesh and I wanted to replace them with the U6. The original configuration was an Ethernet cable from my Talk Talk wall outlet to the main Deco. I then run Ethernet cables between the 3 Decos with a network switch between Deco 2 & 3 as I needed to run Ethernet to the PC.

I wanted to test the U6 so I plugged it into the network switch, which is how I realised I needed PoE (just as well I tested!). I then replaced the network switch with a PoE switch and the U6 is working fine.

Next step was to install the U6 on the ceiling and run the Ethernet cable from the wall outlet straight to the U6, with that being the sole access point. And that's when all the trouble began. I'm now using the U6 connected via the Deco network as it's the only way it'll work, and every time a device connects to it then the Deco app gives me an alert to say it's received another connection to the network.
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This TalkTalk wall outlet, do you know if it's fibre or standard phoneline? Or is it standard ethernet going to the modem?

That's your problem there. You have nothing functioning as the router (the thing that acts as a DHCP server) when you remove the Deco. That's why the Unifi APs suddenly have no connection when you remove it, since it can't receive an IP from anywhere. That main Deco node connected to the TalkTalk is what's acting as the router, by default these Decos function in router mode so the Unifi is basically depending on it to receive the connection details.
 
Orcvader said:
This TalkTalk wall outlet, do you know if it's fibre or standard phoneline? Or is it standard ethernet going to the modem?

That's your problem there. You have nothing functioning as the router (the thing that acts as a DHCP server) when you remove the Deco. That's why the Unifi APs suddenly have no connection when you remove it, since it can't receive an IP from anywhere. That main Deco node connected to the TalkTalk is what's acting as the router, by default these Decos function in router mode so the Unifi is basically depending on it to receive the connection details.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. It's fibre from Talk Talk so no router, and it's actually really obvious now you've pointed it out.

Thanks. :)
 
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