Router/wifi issues

washo · 13 Jul 2016 at 12:21

Have issues with my home network where things go on the go slow for no apparent reason and Wi-Fi drops out or freezes randomly on things like iPhone/iPad. Laptop over wireless is not too bad at most times.

I have tried all kinds of routers over the years but currently using the standard BT homehub as have not replaced this since switching. Broadband is ADSL2+ around 19mb down speed. House has thick walls but is cat5 wired.

Currently use Wi-Fi extender (Netgear wn3000) and a TP-Link WAP (TL-WA801ND) has just been added.

Not sure what direction to go down to improve Wi-Fi reliability and coverage.

Router has to be in middle floor box room so is fairly central but rooms have thick walls. Currently thinking of going down Draytek Vigor 2860ac route but I also have a unopened NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router - R7000 (wasn't sure if this was still worth using and what modem to use with it). Happy to spend on better routers if will benefit. Any guidance appreciated...

bremen1874 · 13 Jul 2016 at 13:05

If you can run cables multiple dedicated access points would make sense.

Ignore the wireless on the router and install as many access points as you need to get decent coverage. An obvious and cost effective option is the UniFi range. If you search back there are few existing threads about them.

washo · 13 Jul 2016 at 13:47

Thanks for the info. Didn't even think about turning off the router Wi-Fi so will start with that.

The Unifi option looks great but I am looking for something that is not ceiling mounted as would not be able to run additional cabling. Would need to use existing wall data ports.

bremen1874 · 13 Jul 2016 at 13:51

Don't turn off the router Wi-Fi unless there's something to replace it. If you're using extenders then they'll need something to extend.

I only mentioned turning it off because if your using a managed access points having it on can cause complications.

washo · 13 Jul 2016 at 14:01

I have a TP-Link WAP that can be setup for this.

Orcvader · 13 Jul 2016 at 14:10

You don't need to mount the Unifi APs to the ceiling. You can mount them on the wall and they still work great. But yes, I would remove the wifi extender and replace the TL-WA801ND (I've tried this and the range is poor), and try place a few Unifi APs in good locations. They support zero handoff as well which will move your device to another AP if it detects it has a better signal seamlessly, which looks like something you need.

bremen1874 · 13 Jul 2016 at 14:20

Orcvader said:
They support zero handoff as well...

I don't think that feature made it to the current generation of AC APs.

washo · 13 Jul 2016 at 15:02

Looking at the unifi ap details, would you recommend going pro or not necessary for the home?

If these were setup does it matter what router you use?

bremen1874 · 13 Jul 2016 at 15:28

The choice of model is one of those 'it depends' type questions.

For home use I like the AP-AC-LITE. It's a smaller neater unit, and you can almost install two of them for the cost of a single AP-AC-PRO.

The wireless isn't as fast but for the usual iPad/iPhone media streaming usage it's okay.

The PRO has standards based POE rather than proprietary so you can use a POE switch instead of the included POE injectors, but that isn't hugely important for most people.

The choice of router isn't going to matter. You just need to have enough Ethernet ports.

washo · 13 Jul 2016 at 15:52

Thank you very much. All advice has been useful.

Clearly I was lookin at this from the wrong angle.

Steveocee · 13 Jul 2016 at 16:44

bremen1874 said:
The PRO has standards based POE rather than proprietary so you can use a POE switch instead of the included POE injectors, but that isn't hugely important for most people.

I'll just add on there that Ubiquiti do switches with their 24v PoE available on them however I'm currently using a MikroTik RB260GSP to power my UAP's and that works brilliantly for a £40 PoE gigabit switch.