Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI

Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI

Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-27 10:21:05 - last edited 2024-11-29 00:59:49
Model: Archer C6  
Hardware Version: V4
Firmware Version: 1.13.6 Build 240430 Rel.54880n(4555)

Hello! im pretty new to networking so forgive me if i dont make that much sense

 

 

 

until a few weeks ago i was using my ISP provided Modem+Router+AP(all in one) and connected my Archer C6 to it so i can use it as an AP and a switch for 2 of my servers. The WIFI coverage was really great since it was in the middle of the house.

Now however i changed my setup and ditched the ISP provided box and replaced it with the Archer C6. And got myself a unmanaged(5 port gigabit) switch for the servers but since the Archer C6 was now in the corner of the house the WIFI coverage is really bad.

I was wondering if i should buy an standalone wired AP for the middle of the house that can connect to the 5 port switch or something else. And i also want to use One mesh or Easy mesh

 

Extra info:

getting 200-210 Mbs from ISP

When Archer C6 was in the middle of the house worst place had a 2.4GHZ/5GHZ connection that was around 25-50Mbs which is mostly enough it would be better if it was higher

Also another question if i were to transfer files locally to my servers through the gigabit switch the wifi will be effected right?

 

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI-Solution
2024-11-28 12:56:44 - last edited 2024-11-29 00:59:49

  @Ereniom 

 

Hi, 

 

As stated above there is a varied option to choose from,  

 

You can go for multiple routers ( like i have ) or you can go with deco setup. 

 

It's really what you think is going to be the best for you in all fairness and what your budget will allow plus if looks of the device matter in your home. 

 

You could do what I've done where I have 3x Ax72 routers ( 1x main and 2x AP) and run ethernet to each routers location for the absolute best speeds possible as well as having 4 extra ethernet ports  apposed to the 2 or 3 on the deco unit (not sure how many deco units have) or you could do deco/routers that support easy mesh wirelessly but also the draw back if you can't run ethernet to each AP/node  is that they are connected wirelessly,

 

Which in turn means that you would need either more powerful units (2x) or say 3x of them to help spread the signal better 

 

Ie put one in the center of your house then the other 2 on either far end. 

 

Also the draw back to wireless connection means that the repeater will only be able to send signals/speeds as good as the signal it receives. 

 

I have a large 3 story house and 2x of my ax72 routers can cover all of my house with full wifi signal and I have the transmission power turned down to medium and I could even drop it again to low and still have no issues.  ( I have thick solid brick walls internally)

 

I added a 3rd unit for my mancave down the bottom of my garden and literally the whole of my property and some is covered in solid strong wifi. 

 

I can go 50m down my road and still get signal on 5ghz although the signal is weak at that point but that's after going through brick walls aswell as passing atleast 20 other wifi signals so I would say the ax72 is quite up to the job of putting wifi signal around. 

 

 

 

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-28 11:52:12

 Hi @Ereniom

Currently, the mesh technologies we use on routers are OneMesh and EasyMesh. However, you need to check whether your router is compatible with these two technologies on the local web. Because Archer C6 in some areas does not support mesh technology:

Onemesh devices list, Easymesh devices list.

 

If Archer C6 in your area does not support Mesh technology, it is recommended that you consider adding a set of deco devices to form a mesh network:

Deco Mesh WiFi

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI-Solution
2024-11-28 12:56:44 - last edited 2024-11-29 00:59:49

  @Ereniom 

 

Hi, 

 

As stated above there is a varied option to choose from,  

 

You can go for multiple routers ( like i have ) or you can go with deco setup. 

 

It's really what you think is going to be the best for you in all fairness and what your budget will allow plus if looks of the device matter in your home. 

 

You could do what I've done where I have 3x Ax72 routers ( 1x main and 2x AP) and run ethernet to each routers location for the absolute best speeds possible as well as having 4 extra ethernet ports  apposed to the 2 or 3 on the deco unit (not sure how many deco units have) or you could do deco/routers that support easy mesh wirelessly but also the draw back if you can't run ethernet to each AP/node  is that they are connected wirelessly,

 

Which in turn means that you would need either more powerful units (2x) or say 3x of them to help spread the signal better 

 

Ie put one in the center of your house then the other 2 on either far end. 

 

Also the draw back to wireless connection means that the repeater will only be able to send signals/speeds as good as the signal it receives. 

 

I have a large 3 story house and 2x of my ax72 routers can cover all of my house with full wifi signal and I have the transmission power turned down to medium and I could even drop it again to low and still have no issues.  ( I have thick solid brick walls internally)

 

I added a 3rd unit for my mancave down the bottom of my garden and literally the whole of my property and some is covered in solid strong wifi. 

 

I can go 50m down my road and still get signal on 5ghz although the signal is weak at that point but that's after going through brick walls aswell as passing atleast 20 other wifi signals so I would say the ax72 is quite up to the job of putting wifi signal around. 

 

 

 

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-28 13:35:50 - last edited 2024-11-28 14:07:40

@Joseph-TP

Thanks for the response! i can see and enable EasyMesh in advanced settings of the router

 

 

@Basboi85 Also thanks alot for the response! When i had the Archer C6 in the center  wifi coverage was basically perfect all around the house other than 1 bedroom(3-5Mbs). Right now im planning on either buying something better than an Archer C6 to replace it and putting the archer C6 in the center once again. Or buying an standalone AP (something like the TL-WA1201) to put in the center but i am pretty sure it does not support EasyMesh

 

Another thing being 1 Corner 1 Center is most likely more than enough wifi for our use case since the corner(archer C6) has a direct line of sight to the bedroom

Right now it gets around 18 mbs on 2.4Ghz and 30 on 5Ghz. its only used for web browsing/netflix so its mostly fine

 

If its possible id like to use EasyMesh. in that case going with a better wifi router for the corner and placing the archer c6 in the center seems like the best option

 

i checked all the EasyMesh compatible routers and most meets my requirments. if youd like im open to suggestions

my requirments being: no need for wifi 6 since our isp only provides 200Mbs,Everything compatible already has 4+1 gigabit no need for 2.5 gigabit,The most important thing is probably wifi coverage/strength

 

For my use case i think deco devices are pretty overkill

 

oh and i looked up the local prices for the ax72 its around 2-3X more than the Archer C6 which is way out of budget for me. And i wont/cant be using like 90% of what it can do so it really dosent fit the use case

 

Thanks alot for helping

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-28 14:01:32

I checked out more options in the EasyMesh compatablity list and 5 stood out for me


Archer C80
Archer C6
Archer A6
Archer AX10 wifi 6
Archer AX20 V4 wifi 6

(By the way i cannot take advantage of Wifi 6)

i was wondering if these had similar wifi range/coverage

Price wise everything here is in budget i just wanted to know if theres a difference in range/coverage thats worth the extra price

 

Prices being (local currency)

Archer C80          1400
Archer C6            1500
Archer A6            1200
Archer AX10        1900
Archer AX20 V4   2000

 

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-28 14:55:27

  @Ereniom 

 

No worries, 

 

Before I upgraded to 3x ax72 routers my 2 AP routers was the archer c6 v3.2. 

 

I cant answer to the easymesh option on the 3.2 as when I had them I beleive from memory that version didn't have it then and not sure if that version does now. 

 

I found the range and speed that the c6 gave me was surprisingly really good. 

 

Out of curiosity is there a specific reason as to why you can't take advantage of wifi6 like devices? 

 

If so I beleive even if you don't yet have a wifi6 compatible device your current devices can still use wifi 6 routers that use 2.4 and 5ghz should  still work you just won't get the higher speeds ( I mean if you have gb speeds say 940 down/110 up you'll prob at best device dependant get max 4-500 down by 90 hypothetically) 

 

I'm sure admin or more knowledgeable members will be able to correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

So my way of thinking would it be better to buy the wifi6 router Ax10/20 at 1900/2000 now then paying say 1500 for the c6 now then in the near future you may upgrade your devices that are wifi 6 and then  payout again for a wifi 6 router.

 

To me it makes more sence to pay a little bit extra now if you can to save you paying out again later.

 

you'll then be able to use it straight away instead of then having to go out and buy another router thats wifi 6? 

 

I can't say for sure if there's a added benifit to going for the AX10/20 over the other archer series routers ypu mentiond or have any experience with the others besides the c6 v3.2 as I don't own or owned any of them but maybe other knowledgeable members or even admin may be able to advise otherwise 

 

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-28 15:54:27

  @Basboi85 Yeah i will go with the AX20 since the price difference is not that much

as for the reason i cant take advantage of wifi6 is because i dont plan to own any wifi 6 devices for now but it will come handy when wifi 6 devices become more popular and cheaper

 

Thank you so much for helping me with this!

 

 

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Re:Need some guidence about expanding my WIFI
2024-11-29 18:55:26

  @Ereniom 

 

Glad to have been some help 

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