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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: castle key on July 20, 2021, 09:31:42 AM

Title: Mesh router system
Post by: castle key on July 20, 2021, 09:31:42 AM
I have an Eero mesh system in my house. It is about two years old and is failing.

The system keeps crashing and the main unit gets pretty hot. My version is V2 and the newest is V6.

I think I may need to replace this and I am looking for thoughts on a suitable replacement. I have a big house that is spread out lots and is old with some thick walls. I also need service to a detached garage building with an apartment above. That building is a few yards away from the main house.

Thoughts on how to proceed?
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: cordex on July 20, 2021, 09:36:04 AM
Do you need a system that does wireless mesh or are you willing to run cables to each of the AP locations?  How many mesh repeaters do you need?

I used to recommend OpenMesh but now that they've been bought by Datto I'd only recommend them for companies for whom the monthly fee isn't a problem and that require the ease of replacement that their system offers.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: RocketMan on July 20, 2021, 09:37:14 AM
I've not used the function as yet, but the newer Asus routers have an AiMesh feature.  You can mix different Asus router models into the mesh if desired.  I will probably be implementing a mesh later next year to improve coverage in my house.
I've been used three different model Asus dual-band routers for the last 7-plus years and have been quite happy with them.  They are quite feature rich, and can be loaded with third party firmware if one wants to go that route.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: K Frame on July 20, 2021, 09:47:45 AM
This is all I've got...

https://buyersguide.org/wifi-router/t/mesh?msclkid=fb50f423b15815a54ed294d56265689a&m=e&d=c&c=84525238927598&oid=kwd-84525593316276:loc-190&qs=best%20mesh%20router%20system&lp=92062&li=&nw=o&nts=1&tdid=9342656
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: castle key on July 20, 2021, 09:50:23 AM
I need to run them all wirelessly. I currently have the main gizmo and three units.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: Ben on July 20, 2021, 10:23:39 AM
I've been using Orbi for going on three years now and am super happy with it. I have the router in my office (wired hookup to main computer and printer), a satellite in the living room by the TV (wired hookup to TV  and Roku), and another satellite by an upstairs window. I get great wireless coverage throughout a 3000sqft house, and coverage out to my shop, around 100'LOS from the upstairs window.

The Orbi administrative menu is pretty full featured and includes guest wireless, which besides for guests, I also use with various smart devices around the house like my thermostat, just as an extra precaution against intrusion through wireless devices that I don't closely monitor.

Orbi makes a ruggedized satellite for outdoor use, and I'm thinking of putting one in my prewired outlet at the top gable outside of the shop to extend the signal further out into my property, but those satellites cost almost as much as an Orbi basic system, so I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: dogmush on July 20, 2021, 10:24:53 AM
I picked up this one on Prime Day this year:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076JLJVTG/

Don't have a ton of use on it, but it seems to work well, setup was easy, it hands off devices as I roam my house seamlessly, and speeds are good.  4k streams are no problem.  Not sure it's the "best" but it was a lot cheaper than google-fi.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: cordex on July 20, 2021, 10:33:50 AM
If you must have the wireless mesh and don't want to mess with the technical side of things, I like the AmpliFi line.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: K Frame on July 20, 2021, 12:47:13 PM
"Do you need a system that does wireless mesh or are you willing to run cables to each of the AP locations?"

I'll answer for Castle, as he and I have discussed this in the past.

Given the configuration/construction type of his home and the areas that he needs to cover, running cables isn't really feasible for a variety of reasons.

The mesh system he currently has has worked very well in the past, but as he's noted, it's messing up. When I was visiting over 4th of July it kept crapping out every couple of days and had to be hard reset. It was annoying then, but it's becoming a problem, which is why he's looking for replacement solutions.

Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: RocketMan on July 20, 2021, 01:02:32 PM
The main unit getting pretty hot as CK mentioned could be a clue.  Overheating can cause routers to lock up, behave erratically, spontaneously reboot, and even fail prematurely.
Lots of wireless routers get dusty inside over time and that tends to reduce their ability to shed the heat generated by the CPU and wireless transceivers.  Blowing it out with canned air will sometimes help.  Opening the unit for a thorough cleaning is often necessary.
Repositioning the router so that there is some bottom clearance and the main air vents are facing up will help with cooling.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: castle key on July 20, 2021, 01:05:31 PM
My in laws live in the apartment above the garage. They are strange people with my MiL pretty addled by dementia and FiL simply a flaming pain in the ass.

I was in the apartment doing something and found the mesh thingy unplugged and on a table.

I asked my FiL why he unplugged the thing that boosted the internet in his place and supplied television to them.

He replied that he was unaware that the device helped his internet..... he stated that he thought it was a carbon monoxide detector.

I then asked him why he unplugged the CO detector, a pretty important safety device....

"I felt that the device was not aesthetically pleasing to me, so rather than look at it, I believe I will get rid of it."
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: Ben on July 20, 2021, 01:16:08 PM
My in laws live in the apartment above the garage. They are strange people with my MiL pretty addled by dementia and FiL simply a flaming pain in the ass.

I was in the apartment doing something and found the mesh thingy unplugged and on a table.

I asked my FiL why he unplugged the thing that boosted the internet in his place and supplied television to them.

He replied that he was unaware that the device helped his internet..... he stated that he thought it was a carbon monoxide detector.

I then asked him why he unplugged the CO detector, a pretty important safety device....

"I felt that the device was not aesthetically pleasing to me, so rather than look at it, I believe I will get rid of it."


And here I thought you had gone off to a relaxing and peaceful retirement...  =D
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: K Frame on July 20, 2021, 01:22:43 PM
"FiL simply a flaming pain in the ass."

Like father in law, like son in law...

 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: Jim147 on July 20, 2021, 06:15:53 PM
I was going to offer a suggestion but nope I'm out of here.
Title: Re: Mesh router system
Post by: Lennyjoe on July 20, 2021, 09:19:02 PM
I’ve been running this system since summer of last and it’s been great. $139 on Amazon and we’ve run 3 computers on VPN, a smart TVs watching Netflix downstairs, daughter watches discovery + and wife Has Hulu runni gall at the same time with zero issues.  Hooked I to AT&T WiFi set up.

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V38NGRC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6J6JK3HH9S7X4Z7ZKH4D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V38NGRC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6J6JK3HH9S7X4Z7ZKH4D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)