Home Networking

198 readers

1 users here now

A community to help people learn, install, set up or troubleshoot their home network equipment and solutions.

Rules

Please stay on topic.
Please use the search function to look for keywords related to what you want to ask before posting since most common issues have been answered.
No Ads. This community is for support and discussion. Ads and self promotion are not welcome here.
No product reviews or announcements. If you have a question about a product, be specific about what you want to know.
Be civil. Don't be a jerk. Not being a jerk is surprisingly easy.
No URL shorteners. URL shorteners tend to hide the real use of a link. For this reason, please use normal links, even if they're long.
No affiliate links.
No gatekeeping. With profession shall come professionalism. Extend help without judging others for their ignorance. The same goes for downvoting of comments or posts for "stupid questions" or not being as knowledgeable as others.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

mesh network (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

1 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi.

I have 4 linksys tri-band mesh nodes.

Am I better having:

A) fewer nodes connected (and a weaker signal between them, but less 'daisy chaining')

B) more nodes so that the signal strength to get to the end point remains strong throughout

Basically the end point e.g the node in my bedroom can either be connected to the main node which is some distance away, or I can have one in between (ethernet backhaul is not possible).

I can't quite work out whether a weaker signal is better overall compared having a node in the middle and how much impact this has on latency etc.

Thanks

top 1 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

There is no set answer, because everyone's environment is different. You'll just need to test it for yourself and see.

First, do speed tests with and without the secondary mesh node. Run a dozen in each configuration to get a usable sample size. Use different speed test sites too.

Then do a continuous ping test to your Default Gateway (your router's LAN address, for example 192.168.1.1 is common, but just check) with and without the secondary mesh node. Run that test for an hour each or more during busy network times, like in the evenings. Compare the results.

Then see which you prefer.

The placement of your mesh nodes, test computer, how busy your WiFi is in general, and layout of your home will determine test results. So there is no set answer.

I will say that, with wireless backhaul, you should just use the least number of nodes you need for full coverage. Four seems excessive. Most homes need only two mesh units to cover everything, three for bigger or unusually shaped houses.