MESH Setup question

jinxpad · 24 May 2022 at 10:39

I recently purchased an Asus ax5400 to use for my Virgin Media connection instead of the superhub 4.

Unfortunately there's still pretty weak Wi-Fi signal in the rooms upstairs of the house and so I was thinking of setting up a mesh network but I have never done it before and have no idea what additional hardware I need to buy. Ideally I'd like to keep additional spending under 100 if possible. So if anyone could recommend the kind of hardware I would need to get that would be awesome and much appreciated!

pepp77 · 24 May 2022 at 10:50

Return the AX5400, use the Virgin Media router to do the routing then add a set of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenda-Nova...d=1653385490&sprefix=mesh,aps,151&sr=8-3&th=1 - come in 2 or 3 sets. Use these solely for the wifi. I use a 2 pack version at my house, one down one up and it is much better than the 3 old individual routers I was using previously.

Orcvader · 24 May 2022 at 11:04

Alternative option, if you can run a cable upstairs, you can use the Asus as an access point for that floor and have the SH4 serve downstairs.

Avalon · 24 May 2022 at 13:24

Unfortunately people think that replacing one router legally limited to a set power with another legally limited to the same power in the same location will result in some sort of magical event and they can ride unicorns into the sunset with perfect Wi-Fi coverage. It doesn’t.

If you want to do this properly, run a cable to the loft in a central location on the upper floor (usually a landing space), install an actual AP and enjoy decent wireless coverage. If you want mesh, but a set with wired backhaul and run a cable to each node. If you want to take a chance, something with dedicated radio backhaul is the next least worst option and after that you’re into shared radio he’ll with cheap mesh.

jinxpad · 24 May 2022 at 13:39

Orcvader said:
Alternative option, if you can run a cable upstairs, you can use the Asus as an access point for that floor and have the SH4 serve downstairs.

I dont think I can do this as the SH4 is in Modem mode.

Orcvader · 24 May 2022 at 14:51

jinxpad said:
I dont think I can do this as the SH4 is in Modem mode.

It'll have to be in router mode while the Asus is in access point mode. Very much possible. Both can even share the same SSID and password. It just won't be in mesh but most devices are smart enough to jump to the stronger signal of the two depending on where they are.