WiFi Upgrading to Mesh?

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OK, I’'ve been chugging along for years as an Apple guy, Airport Extreme, Express, the Extreme is my Router, splitting off to the various ethernet feeds, switches to feed our computers, and such that need ethernet… But the WiFi is a bit long in the tooth, so maybe tome to move along.

Looking at “TP-Link Deco XE75 AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E System - Wi-Fi up to 7200 Sq.Ft, Engadget Rated Best for Most People, Replaces WiFi Router and Extender, AI-Driven New 6GHz Band, 3-Pack”. then I see there are WiFi 7’s, too!

So as usual, the deeper I look, the more options! Only looked at Amazon so far, I imagine Costco has similar offerings…

All fed from my own Cable modem, no rent, from Xfinity/Comcast… Many things to consider, what have others done, what not to do, maybe…

weco…

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I have the TPLink Deco Mesh 5, or a bunch of them, actually. I have what is called a “basement rancher” in a chevron shape with the modem in the middle, but WiFi never reached the extremities - the master bedroom on one end and the garage on the other.

The house is also stucco, with a metal lattice backing, so basically a Faraday cage meaning cell service inside the house is crap. The Mesh network solved it; easy to set up and place anywhere the WiFi did reach and relay beyond that. We now have reliable service in the bedroom, workshop, and the garage (that became important when the EV came in with its own Bluelink package, and someday I will upgrade the irrigation system controller to include WiFi so I can control it from afar as well.)

Bought on Amazon; roughly $50 per puck (less when I bought them). Even added one near a back window so the bird cam can reach us from the back yard.

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Got my first Mesh in 2016 or 2015 – an Orbi16 system. Without doubt the smartest computer decision I made except for maybe swapping from Windows 7 to Apple with Snow Leopard or switching from Alta Vista to Google

Below is one of the best reviews of Mesh. At the end is a diagram of the test house used for reviews. The Eero website has a lot of good stuff, but not easy to find.

I have recommended and help install five Eero systems in our Active Adult community. The top WireCutter recommendation changes a time or two a year. They are all good in terms of performance. In my view Eero is the best one and has been for the last 3 years. My reasons are ease of set-up and customer support.

For anybody happy with actual bandwidth of 500 to 700 Mbps living in homes from 3000 to 4000 square feet, I say get the Eero7 three unit package at $350. My actual system is the Eero7 Pro three pack. I like the fact it is vertical and I can see the light of units on high shelves without having to climb up. I see no use for any of the subscription stuff. In your specific home you may decide to add a 4th unit. Eero is owned by Amazon. Get your product there - free returns up to 30 days. In January I did an install that had me baffled - so I called Eero customer support. It took them about 15 minutes, but they found the problem. The home owner had a cat that liked sleeping near the AT&T fiber modem and the cat had damaged the outer fiber optic cable cover. There is one item some people will not like - the only way to do anything with Eeros is via a cell phone app. Many people really don’t believe after the install and initial unit placement the customer needs to just leave the system for 1 or 2 days. These units learn where WiFi access points are and adjust signal strength and direction to users. At that point one can begin final location tweaking. Two tips: #1 Higher is better. Put units on top of kitchen cabinets and book shelves. #2. Use your Superman X-ray vision. WiFi does not send signal through circuit breaker boxes or refrigerators very well.

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I’ve had the Linksys Velop 5 mesh system since 2018. Has worked great but looking to upgrade/change when we get fiber internet.

IIRC, I think TP-Link and one other is banned or about to be banned in the USA. Basically comes down to China made and security issues.

About 3 months ago set up the Eero 6+ at the in-laws house when they got a fiber internet connection. Had good reviews and was on sale. Simple set up, took less than 10 minutes for 3 nodes. They haven’t had any issues in a 2 story house with the entry point being the basement office/study while 2 nodes are on main level.

Don’t get too hung up on wifi 6 vs 7 unless you have all brand new devices connecting to the internet and everything needs near gig speed for your work.

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But there is one other consideration for Mesh system – number of WiFi connection possible. The limit on my Orbi was either 16 or 24 devices. My current network has over 40 wifi devices including Watches, Oven, Dishwasher, smoke alarms, 3 connections per TV. I have a visitor network that adds addition connections.

My two TVs have AppleTV box, the TV itself & DirecTV Stream. Other WiFi uses include a printer, computers, car, Rachio irrigation system, backyard weather station and the list keeps growing. Certainly my next Washing machine, refrigertor and a Heatpump water heater will use WiFi connections.

I think a few bucks for 5 plus years of future proofing is worth consideration.

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Thanks for all the input, I looked at Costco, not as wide a selection as I thought, so back to Amazon, their top pick, not their own Eero, but a TP-Link X55 @ $149, next up the TP-Link Deco 7 @ $358, then the TP-Link Deco XE75 @ $198, and on and on, clear on up over $1K! A bit of overkill for us, guests and the myriad of attached ‘stuff’, drip system, garage door opener, thermostat, washer/dryer, a couple ‘smart’ TVs, our iPhones, watches, as well as various Macs, laptops… A recent data overload on out iPhone data plan, might have been that we don’t always link to the wifi everywhere when we’re home, so another reason I’m looking…I have ethernet tied to a couple AppleTV bricks, as well as the TVs, rn those CAT5’s years ago…

Long retired, since '02, things like this become a bit of a hobby, also I cruised flea markets for years, picked up backups for the old Apple wifi setups, all of that can go into the electronic waste, I guess…

I think if I use the same password, all the ‘smarty’ devices should just link up to the new system, and the same with our guests, etc…

So, heading to the $200 middle ground, we’re not gamers, not since Colossal Cave of Apple //e days…

Thanks again, good to see the setups. I just looked at my LAN drawing, I haven’t updated it since '23, will have to redo it!! This is a lot of time, some cables had to run outside, via conduit to get to where they were needed… (MacDraft app)

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Interesting, I saw only 3 ethernet ports, on the TP-Link XE75 unit, so asked about the ports:

“The TP-Link Deco XE75 does not have a designated “input” port — all 3 Ethernet ports are auto-sensing and work as both input (WAN) and output (LAN). When you set up your system, the port that connects to your modem automatically becomes the WAN (input) connection. The other 2 ports work as LAN (output) for your devices. If you use a satellite unit as the base instead, all 3 ports are available for devices. This flexible design means you can connect your modem to any of the three ports on whichever unit you choose as your main”

I was close to having to move up for more ports, but I think this should work…

OK, done, Ordered! Be here Saturday…

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I have that TP link mesh system in my house with 3 devices. It has worked seemlessly, easy to set up and so far no problems. MY XE 75 pro is a few years old. I have 1gb internet and 5 tv’s (2 smart tv’s and 3 firesticks), multiple laptops, Ipads and phones connected along with security cameras, amazon devices and other things like Ring. Everything has worked without problems so far and I highly recommend this system for your mesh system…doc

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Thanks for the boost in confidence I did the right thing… So now a waiting game, ordered yesterday, be here tomorrow, added on one wall mount bracket to raise it up here in my 'Cave, as it’s central and will free up a little space where I have the Airport Extreme now.. one other in the family room, the other the back bedroom. Downloaded the Deco iPhone App, and its various verifications, facial recognition, pw, so it’s already searched for the hardware, not here yet.. Also the user guides, etc. here on my desktop… I think I’m ready!

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I love the diagram!
My WiFi configuration is screwed up, so I’m really appreciating this information. iPhone, iPad, solar/battery are the only significant WiFi devices, and they are working well enough that I haven’t addressed my WiFi issues.
Otherwise I have ethernet to three locations, with 10 port switches in each. (One advantage of an unfinished basement.) So computers, printers, streaming TV/devices, and streaming to the stereo are all wired.

But that diagram has me recalling that the washing machine and a couple of other things that I don’t use could be on there. And who knows what I might want to add tomorrow?

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I had to begin doing it back before I went to CATV, we had DSL, so pretty simple, followed the house copper phone lines, but then along came CATV/and better Web access, routers, switches, more gadgets wanting to connect via wifi or ethernet. I had a roll of CAT5 left over from a job site, managed to get most places, but some, I just couldn’t get to, crawlspace is wet in the winter, so I ran conduits outside, tucked under the eaves, a pull box or two, and I have the ends, crimp tools, testers to verify them, sort worked out.. And MacDraft to document it all… So at least someone can sort out most of it… I will have to rethink, redo the drawing for the mesh setup, trying to keep in on a single page complicates it a bit… All handy, fun…

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One thing that is important that I remember when setting it all up is to not connect to ethernet at first with the WAPs. The router that you connect to the web is called the main router and at first it is the only device connected to the ethernet cable from your modem or however you connect to your ISP. The instructions are to let it run at first wirelessly between the WAP routers (my term for the routers not connected to your main) . After they have done whatever it is that they do, you can connect to your ethernet for the backhaul. I only have one Macbook that is on the class 6 so I don’t think i need the back haul for my devices and the backhaul sends data between the routers/mesh faster i believe. Hopefully this isn’t confusing…doc

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Will study the setup notes, but thanks for the heads up, maybe they need to check in with each other prior to expanding to the web input from the Cable Modem…I think only the one I pick for the Main and only one other will tie in, the family room feed is off the switch here in my Cave, but I can initially leave it run free for a bit… Interesting, maybe challenging, but that’s OK, too…

Likely not arriving until late afternoon, so probably hold off until the next day…

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Late to the party, but I just bought the Google mesh WiFi system. A router and two “points”. Minimal hassle setting up, and works fine. And not very expensive.

I replaced my old Airport Extreme with it a bit before the pandemic. The mesh gives me better coverage throughout the house, as you would expect. I did try an extender (don’t remember the brand…I’d have to dig it out of a box) in conjunction with my Extreme, but it was sometimes a bit finicky.

note: I am long GOOGL.

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Early in the game! Well, with all my Apple stuff, I had eve earlier Apple Airports, then as my flea market wanderings continued, I collect a lot of semi newer ones, some told me they didn’t work, but in reality all I needed to do was a hard reset, update the firmware and they were fine, so I see 4 more Airport Extremes up in the cabinet! Plus the ones in use.. So all that can be binned, recycled, whatever.. Do not like tossing anything Apple, but, there are multiple macs, laptops that I should pack up too… No real value any more, anyone in the family in need of the web already has a setup, so it’s all surplus.. Maybe overload my local Staples with all of it!

I went with the TP-Link setup after cruising them all, Amazon had it a click away, so here it comes… Watched a couple soup guides on YouTube, found a printed guide as well… Downloaded the App, so ready to go… Hoping that if I use the same wifi password already in use, all the devices will just flip over OK.. Else, might have to revisit each to set them up, hopefully not…

So I’ve an empty flip top bin ready for the old stuff… Must be patient..

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I used the same wifi name and password. It worked fine. My old setup was a main router and two WAPs that were connected to the main router by ethernet. My wife struggled to switch from connection to connection in the house and finally I switched to the deco mesh. I have to admit it has been better. The deco line does everything automatic once you name the wifi and give it a password. You can switch them around and the one connected to the WWW will automatically switch to the main. It’s pretty seamless. I have no regrets. The app on my phone works great and its pretty simple. I did not get the security package that they sell. HTH…doc

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I was going to use the same name, but I see now I have a problem as the two current wifi sources are named differently, one Extremexxx, the other Expressxxx, but with use the same password… So it;s looking like I will have to redo each wifi user to connect to the new mesh system… Bummer…

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Does your system allow/use a Guest network? If you have two networks available - one Extremexxx and the other Expressxxx

That said, If you only have a few Access points I would go through renaming.

One person I know with the situation initially setup two networks and renamed Access points over a period of time. The initial change happened fast and the end product was clean – a few weeks later.

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Yep, with only the two access points, I think I’m stuck redoing each widget to get them on the new network, so maybe just leave both the old & the new mesh systems going until I get the stuff moved over, then tear down the old… I had a third, A1392 Express, 802.11n plugged in but inly used it on my iPhone just pulled it down, one less confusion… It was one of the last ones Apple made…

No, no Guest network, no need, really, at least lately…

Tracking, the new system, is out for delivery as of 11 AM, so likely late this afternoon before arrival…

I’m thinking I can do most of the setup here on the desk, move them to their final locations later… Leave the Airport up until I move the garage door opener, drip system, thermostat, first, later the flip of the ethernet covers the rest, TVs, AppleTV, so not as bad as I was thinking earlier…

Update: OK, Arrived about 4 PM… Interesting packaging, a bit of guesswork to open the box, all there… The 12v 2A power blocks are OK a tad large, so I was going to adjust, add an adapter… Well, that doesn’t work, normally one of the duplex is switched, the other not, but this one, both are switched, so I had to move it…

So far all 3 Deco 6e’s are happy, but only at lower speed until I move the Main to the cable modem and the attached stuff over… But they are now living near their final locations… LG Washer, Dryer, Soundbar, not sure why it;s on the wifi, Rachio drip system, don’t see the GDO on the current connects, or the Doorbell camera or the thermostat… Guess I’ll find out when I remove the Airports! Maybe tomorrow…

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OK, late night update on how it’s been going… Overall, OK, but…

All 3 units are in the final locations, all the old Apple Airports are gone, in a box… Might save one Express if I can’t get my Logitech Circle View doorbell Camera working again..

So far, I have been able to connect my Ryobi Garage Door Opener after a bit of fussing, also my Honeywell Thermostat, also very tedious as its all on its little screen and klutzy interface to delete, add new, and the new password, but good for now.

Logitech doorbell camera is being stubborn, a clue I found was it only work in the 2.4Ghz band so I dropped one Guest login to only 2.4Ghz, but it is still resting, the software is also klutzy, no simple way to delete to old camera, so I’m still fighting it. It also ties to my Apple Home App, so another headache is to get that Home App to again see the camera, the doorbell side is fine, it’s the %$#@ camera!

Brother ‘All in one’ laser printer didn’t like the ethernet cable, so I enabled its Wifi, it’s working, but I’d like to chase the ethernet link down.

Still to go, LG Washer & Dryer, Rachio Drip System, and I also just thought of our '23 RAV4, it wants a wifi connection, too, but that should be pretty sraight forward…

My Mac mini, the DW’s iMac, our iPhones, Apple watches all hooked right up…

Had one issue with in the Master BR, where I wanted to place the unit, normally only one of a duplex outlet is switched, but this one, both are switched, so a no go there, I likely wired it, replaced all the outlets, switches in the house, so maybe no solid hot lead in that box, and I’m not about to crawl the attic to drop one in. So it lives on my nightstand!

So a long, hectic day, still a lot of loose ends to deal with tomorrow… Google has been a big help, along with my old folders of info from when i installed the stuff.. Some quite a while ago…

Thassit - weco -

Here’s all the old Extremes, Express’s, most were spares, all work, but…

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