NFT: WiFi Mesh network recommendations?

10 min setup and great coverage/speed. Can also add more nodes if needed.

I know they are a hair expensive, but probably worth it in the long run vs some of the other solutions.

In comment 14847980 giants#1 said:

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10 min setup and great coverage/speed. Can also add more nodes if needed.

+1. I was working from home a lot before this BS and this was a fantastic addition. My Wifi is rock solid all over. There are other mesh networks people like and are probably also good but this one is great for me.

I have it set up with the main router on the main floor and satellites upstairs and in the basement. Works great.

Have set it up at both my mother's and brother's places and it really does a great job. Set up is super easy, too.

setting up Google Wifi and then using one of the hotspots to hardwire an Xbox into?

In comment 14848082 UConn4523 said:

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setting up Google Wifi and then using one of the hotspots to hardwire an Xbox into?

Yes, not xbox but PS4. I have a 3 pack. I have one that is hardwired to a PS4 and one that is hardwired to my work PC. The other is wired to my LR Smart TV. I get consistently fast connections on all.

going to do that eventually for the bedrooms

In comment 14848111 Heisenberg said:

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In comment 14848082 UConn4523 said: Quote: setting up Google Wifi and then using one of the hotspots to hardwire an Xbox into? Yes, not xbox but PS4. I have a 3 pack. I have one that is hardwired to a PS4 and one that is hardwired to my work PC. The other is wired to my LR Smart TV. I get consistently fast connections on all.

Are you sure you did that with one of the Nest "points," and not the main router? I'd have to look, but I don't recall my point actually having an ethernet port in it.

I got Google Wifi for that very reason...spotty wifi in the attic where my office is and at other points throughout the house. I replaced an extender, and my coverage through out the house is so much better than it was previously.

One thing worth noting (I have FIOS as well) is that because of required Google Wifi setup, you will lose some of your FIOS TV DVR functionality. I can no longer watch (or set) my DVR remotely.

Have been very happy with it.

In comment 14848213 santacruzom said:

Quote:

In comment 14848111 Heisenberg said: Quote: In comment 14848082 UConn4523 said: Quote: setting up Google Wifi and then using one of the hotspots to hardwire an Xbox into? Yes, not xbox but PS4. I have a 3 pack. I have one that is hardwired to a PS4 and one that is hardwired to my work PC. The other is wired to my LR Smart TV. I get consistently fast connections on all. Are you sure you did that with one of the Nest "points," and not the main router? I'd have to look, but I don't recall my point actually having an ethernet port in it.

Pretty sure all the Google WiFi points have 2 Ethernet ports. Assuming you have multiple nodes, the primary node will only have a single usable port since the other one needs to connect to your modem, but any additional nodes you add should be able to hard wire to two devices.

I appreciate the inputs. I'm going to leave this up for others, and in case someone has a better option. I realize I'm going to have to turn off my FIOS WiFi, but I don't think that will affect the TV set top box. The modem will still be active.

I have Fios and Lynksys mesh system. Pretty happy with it.

and it's fantastic.

Its been working great for over a year, easy setup, never a problem. Recommended it to a buddy a few months ago and he got the newer Google Nest wifi and is very happy. He then recommended it to a buddy of his with the same results.

In comment 14848213 santacruzom said:

Quote:

In comment 14848111 Heisenberg said: Quote: In comment 14848082 UConn4523 said: Quote: setting up Google Wifi and then using one of the hotspots to hardwire an Xbox into? Yes, not xbox but PS4. I have a 3 pack. I have one that is hardwired to a PS4 and one that is hardwired to my work PC. The other is wired to my LR Smart TV. I get consistently fast connections on all. Are you sure you did that with one of the Nest "points," and not the main router? I'd have to look, but I don't recall my point actually having an ethernet port in it.

I don't have a "Nest" router. Mine is a few years old. A Google Wifi 3 pack. Perhaps they have changed? All three pucks are identical in my three pack and the only difference is which one I set up first and connect to my modem. They all have an ethernet port in back.

Mesh systems extend your coverage but lower your throughput/bandwith.

So lets say you have node 01 which is the one hardwired into your router, switch, modem etc.. Since you are close to this lets say your connection strength is 100%, your speed will be 100% of the max your wireless hardware is capable of (in theory).

Now lets say you have a mesh system and node 2 is at the other side of the house. You will still report 100% connection strength but your max speed is only going to be 50%. This affect is compounded the more nodes you have. Node 3 could show 100% signal strength but your max speed could be 10% of your internet capability.

Mesh systems have improved over the years but this problem still exist for the most part. Google WiFi is good but is dated now as I don't believe they have released a new version since the original 3 or 4 years ago. I have also found that Google WiFi did not play well with certain services.

UniFI has a new mesh system out that is really good. For smaller installations in commercial and high end residential markets I use UniFi for everything. Its a very good ecosystem and very user friendly. On the large commercial projects I let the company IT departments handle it as I am not allowed to use my own hardware.

In comment 14848615 Heisenberg said:

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I don't have a "Nest" router. Mine is a few years old. A Google Wifi 3 pack. Perhaps they have changed? All three pucks are identical in my three pack and the only difference is which one I set up first and connect to my modem. They all have an ethernet port in back.

Ah ha, what I have is different from yours. Mine is the Google Nest Wifi, and it has a primary router and then additional points that have no physical connectivity abilities.

The OP should not get what I got if that matters to him, but I love it. I just use one point for now and am getting terrific coverage.

And I forgot to mention that the points double as Google smart speakers. Pretty cool, we use it all the time.
Google Nest review - ( New Window )

In comment 14848973 santacruzom said:

Quote:

In comment 14848615 Heisenberg said: Quote: I don't have a "Nest" router. Mine is a few years old. A Google Wifi 3 pack. Perhaps they have changed? All three pucks are identical in my three pack and the only difference is which one I set up first and connect to my modem. They all have an ethernet port in back. Ah ha, what I have is different from yours. Mine is the Google Nest Wifi, and it has a primary router and then additional points that have no physical connectivity abilities. The OP should not get what I got if that matters to him, but I love it. I just use one point for now and am getting terrific coverage.

Gotcha. That makes sense. That is different. Link below of what I have. My house is a big ranch and it works well there. When we rented a big house in OBX for 20+ folks I brought the google wifi down and it worked on a house that was 4 stories. We had great wifi all throughout. The great thing with mesh networking is that you can adapt it to whatever the topography of the house.
Link - ( New Window )

is a deal breaker for me. Really want to be able to move my Xbox around to wherever a dot it and hardwire it to the dot.

In comment 14848615 Heisenberg said:

Quote:

In comment 14848213 santacruzom said: Quote: In comment 14848111 Heisenberg said: Quote: In comment 14848082 UConn4523 said: Quote: setting up Google Wifi and then using one of the hotspots to hardwire an Xbox into? Yes, not xbox but PS4. I have a 3 pack. I have one that is hardwired to a PS4 and one that is hardwired to my work PC. The other is wired to my LR Smart TV. I get consistently fast connections on all. Are you sure you did that with one of the Nest "points," and not the main router? I'd have to look, but I don't recall my point actually having an ethernet port in it. I don't have a "Nest" router. Mine is a few years old. A Google Wifi 3 pack. Perhaps they have changed? All three pucks are identical in my three pack and the only difference is which one I set up first and connect to my modem. They all have an ethernet port in back.

Heisenberg - you are correct. I am typing this from a desktop that is connected to the internet via hardwire connection to one of the Google Wifi points (NOT the main hub one that is connected to the router).

I've had nothing but positive experiences with Google Wifi. I started with the 3-pack and added a fourth dot about a year later when I turned part of my walk-in closet into a desk/work area.

The hardware is extremely easy to set up, and the app is a piece of cake to use.

In comment 14849017 UConn4523 said:

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is a deal breaker for me. Really want to be able to move my Xbox around to wherever a dot it and hardwire it to the dot.

Just get the one I linked and not the Google Nest Wifi.

Easily the lowest maintenance and most reliable wifi router I've ever owned.

works well and is easy to setup. They've already got my info anyway so who cares at this point.

In comment 14849022 Heisenberg said:

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In comment 14849017 UConn4523 said: Quote: is a deal breaker for me. Really want to be able to move my Xbox around to wherever a dot it and hardwire it to the dot. Just get the one I linked and not the Google Nest Wifi.

Thanks, likely will get that. And this just hooks into my current router (Altice One box, right?

connect to your existing modem, not another router.

Google WiFi has some other nice features too (I'm sure the other mesh's have comparable features):
- Guess network - simple to setup with/without a pwd so you don't need to give out your main WiFi network info
- I haven't used it myself, but I believe you can prioritize devices on your network. So if you work from home and your kids are streaming HD video/games, you can throttle them if needed
- You can turn off WiFi for any device on your network. Great if you have kids and you want to limit their online time...

Probably others too

meant Altice modem

In comment 14847980 giants#1 said:

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10 min setup and great coverage/speed. Can also add more nodes if needed.

Another vote for this. Believe it is branded Nest Wifi now

In comment 14849054 UConn4523 said:

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meant Altice modem

yep, ethernet connection out of modem goes into router. Set up the first access point with your phone and then go add others wherever you need them. I have my main puck connected to my modem near my main tv so have a wired tv connection. Then have a puck in the man cave attached to PS4 with wire and then one in office attached to my laptop dock. Wifi signal strong all over, good streaming from Fire/Apple TVs around the rest of house. Plenty of bandwidth for the teenagers devices too.

I pulled Cat6 through the whole house (all bedrooms and living room) just in case but this adds in more flexibility since you never know what wall you will use for a bed or dresser until you move in and get situated. This allows me to use the wall port if accessible, or ditch it and use the hardware through a mesh system.

In comment 14849017 UConn4523 said:

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is a deal breaker for me. Really want to be able to move my Xbox around to wherever a dot it and hardwire it to the dot.

My wife and I recently broke out her old Xbox 360 so our stir-crazy kids could use the Kinect, and I didn't even realize that it didn't have built-in wifi. But the wifi adapters are available for under 20 bucks.