Multiple routers as AP

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Multiple routers as AP

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Multiple routers as AP
Multiple routers as AP
2021-08-23 13:57:13 - last edited 2021-08-23 19:54:51
Model: Archer AX1500  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version:

I recently purchased an AX1500 for home use and I am quite pleased.

 

So, since I also need to update the wifi at our church, I plan to go with TP-link again.

 

Current situation:

  • This is an old building, with thick stone walls in some areas
  • We have two aging wifi routers (10 yrs ish) that mostly cover the building, with some dead spots.
  • These are configured as two separate networks, different IDs and passwords.
  • We have ethernet available throughout.

 

My plan:

  • Replace the old routers with 2 or 3 new TP-Link routers
  • Configure one to be the DHCP host and the other(s) as APs.
  • The APs would be connected to the 1st one via Ethernet cable
  • Use a higher-capacity router as the first one; it is where most of the users would likely connect

 

Equipment thoughts:

  • Use the AX50/AX3000 or AX73/AX5400 for the primary router
  • Use 1 or 2 AX1500/1750 routers as the 2nd & 3rd

 

Questions:

  • If the two old routers "mostly" cover the building, are todays routers sufficiently advanced that I might not need a third?
  • Do the 6 antennas on the AX73 extend range significatnly as compared to the AX50 with 4?
  • Does anyone see any issues with my plan?

 

 

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#1
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Re:Multiple routers as AP-Solution
2021-08-23 17:18:16 - last edited 2021-08-23 19:54:51

@terziyski 

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

Reading it, I realized I left out some information.

 

Ideally, we would like seamless wifi. I had considered mesh, but since we have ethernet throughout, I wanted to take advantage of that rather than depend on the mesh APs connecting wirelessly to the main mesh router. So, I was planning on setting up all 3 routers with the same SSID and password, like a psuedo-mesh system. Would that work OK, or is mesh really the answer if I want the wifi to be seamless?

 

Looking further into the mesh options, it looks like I can hook up the deco units to ethernet and take advantage of the direct connection, by using the ethernet backhaul feature. Am I interpreting this correctly? If so, I'm now re-thinking the plan and considering a 3-pack of the Deco X60 - it could be the perfect solution.

 

Based on some other posts I have read, it seems not all switches support this feature well. Do you know if Netgear unmanaged switches work OK for the ethernet backhaul? I have a couple of those. If not, I may buy a TP-Link switch, too.

 

Based on where my cable runs are, I could use either the second or third examples below.

 

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Re:Multiple routers as AP
2021-08-23 16:08:03

@S_Zephyr 

 

  • If the two old routers "mostly" cover the building, are todays routers sufficiently advanced that I might not need a third?

It's quite possible to cover the dead spots with more recent devices like AX50/3000 as main router and AX20/1800 as an AP.

If still there's a dead spot you can add an additional AX20/1800 or AX10/1500 as an AP.

 

  • Do the 6 antennas on the AX73 extend range significatnly as compared to the AX50 with 4?

 

 I believe that AX50/3000 would be sufficient as a main router.

 

  • Does anyone see any issues with my plan?

 

 Your plan sounds quite reasonable - AX standard offers more user capacity and more coverage.

 

Of course that's a budget solution and there is more expensive one, like implementing a Deco system - a real mesh network if you need such.

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Re:Multiple routers as AP-Solution
2021-08-23 17:18:16 - last edited 2021-08-23 19:54:51

@terziyski 

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

Reading it, I realized I left out some information.

 

Ideally, we would like seamless wifi. I had considered mesh, but since we have ethernet throughout, I wanted to take advantage of that rather than depend on the mesh APs connecting wirelessly to the main mesh router. So, I was planning on setting up all 3 routers with the same SSID and password, like a psuedo-mesh system. Would that work OK, or is mesh really the answer if I want the wifi to be seamless?

 

Looking further into the mesh options, it looks like I can hook up the deco units to ethernet and take advantage of the direct connection, by using the ethernet backhaul feature. Am I interpreting this correctly? If so, I'm now re-thinking the plan and considering a 3-pack of the Deco X60 - it could be the perfect solution.

 

Based on some other posts I have read, it seems not all switches support this feature well. Do you know if Netgear unmanaged switches work OK for the ethernet backhaul? I have a couple of those. If not, I may buy a TP-Link switch, too.

 

Based on where my cable runs are, I could use either the second or third examples below.

 

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Re:Multiple routers as AP
2021-08-23 19:02:06

@S_Zephyr 

 

Yes, you understand this correctly and that's what I've meant mentioning Deco system.

If you want a seamless roaming that's the way you should go.

I don't have direct impression if a Netgear switch will work (I've seen some issues mentioned with a D-Link switches), but that's not a problem, because you can always buy a TP-Link one if needed.

If this was helpful click once on the arrow pointing upward. If this solves your issue, click once the star to mark it as a "Recommended Solution".
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Re:Multiple routers as AP
2021-08-23 19:54:36

@terziyski 

 

Excellent - thanks very much for your help with this!

 

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