Wifi Networks - What do you use?

My favourite physical layer of the network stack is that described in RFCs 1149 (with QoS updates in 2549) and 6214.

If you are able to run Ethernet cabling to a few key, strategic points in your house, then a multiple wired AP installation like Ubiquiti UniFi is probably the best answer. You usually need one AP per floor, or one AP per 1000 square feet, but that’s a rough guide. Each AP needs an Ethernet (wired) connection. A lot of details, including links to good introductory videos, in another thread:

If you don’t have and cannot run data cabling to a few key locations, then a mesh network is probably the best answer. Eero is very good. I don’t have hands-on experience with it, but from what I’ve read, you are better off spending a bit more for their higher-end units.

Both UniFi and Eero can run in either mesh or multi-AP mode. Eero is the better mesh solution today. Ubiquiti is (probably) the better hardwired multi-AP solution today.

I like to say Eero is the Apple of consumer (easier) wireless networking, while Ubiquiti is the Apple of prosumer (easy enough, powerful) networking. Another metaphor might be iPad vs. MacBook.

Don’t bother with wireless range extenders. They’re basically the most primitive version of a mesh network you can imagine. (Like that first fish that walked on land, range extenders are a relic of an earlier time.) Skip the extender, go straight to modern mesh networking.

1 Like

A hobbyist solution: ASUS WiFi 6 AX6000 router with third-party Asuswrt-Merlin firmware (on which I installed additional software such as the NextDNS CLI and Tailscale). I run some scripts on the router (using cron) that regularly ping each device in my home network and report to Healtchecks, so that I get notified (push notification via Pushover) if one goes down.

My house is pretty small and with the router on the middle floor that single router is good enough to provide WiFi in the entire house, except for one dead spot: the couch where I sit when I watch TV :cry:

Luckily, I don’t watch TV that much…

1 Like