Comment on Help me fix my dad’s home internet setup. Does my plan make sense?
Xolipher@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
Look into a proper modem. For the current Netgear, what model number is it?
For distributed wifi I would ditch the current setup and go with a 3 pod TP-Link Deco X series model. X20 and above I believe have an additional IoT band (if you plan on getting smart devices in the home). The X20 or X50 model should suffice and regularly go on sale.
Your post suggests you have ethernet between 2 areas, so you can use this cable run to wire the main pod to another for full speeds using the wired backhaul. The 3rd unit should work well wirelessly if it is within 30-45ft.
I work at a telecom and these systems seem to work well and we get very few call backs with people reporting issues.
QuincyPigBoy@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I’m considering a used Arris s33. Current netgear is an x4 ac3200. I just looked into it more and it’s not as old as I thought. DOCSIS 3.1 as well. I’m assuming it still needs to be upgraded?
I’ll definitely consider the Deco x. The x25 is on sale for $142. X20 for $130. X55 for $150. Should I just go with x20?
Yes, all five bedrooms have an Ethernet connection in the wall. An Xfinity decided to cut the cables out but I just rewired them all. Nobody in the house will use their ports though… they want WiFi. Anyway, yes, I have five connections upstairs. Router is on first floor.
Awesome info. Thank you very much for the response.
Just to be clear, if the current setup covers most of the house and WiFi speeds aren’t important, I shouldn’t just buy more orbi satellites to use with the Orbi router and a new modem to save money? I don’t mind spending the money but the other three people in the house are older men who are watching YouTube and looking at Facebook marketplace. They can’t even be bothered to run Ethernet cable from the wall to the PC’s.
Anyway, thank you for the reply.
Xolipher@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
You can certainly keep using the Netgear X4, make sure to log into it and double check the firmware is up to date. If this was my setup I would disable the wireless of the Netgear alltogether, and use the Deco for wifi. You can use 3 ethernet runs to connect the Deco pods to various areas in the home. If the coverage is sufficient there will be no need for the Netgear wireless broadcast. Is this a touch overkill? Maybe… but it will simplify the setup tremendously.
After the Deco is setup, make sure you change it from Router mode to Access Point mode to avoid double NAT, and various other issues. You will have 1 ethernet ports left on the Netgear on the main floor for anything else, and (depending on the Deco model) 1 or 2 ethernet ports at each pod to use. You can a2lays break this connection out further with a cheap gigabit unmanaged switch.
If you are a bit tech savvy you can try a similar setup with the Orbi and Eero, but will have the added burden of managing those devices with their own own app. You will also lose the graceful wireless handoff that you will get from a dedicated mesh network. In theory you can give the Orbi and Eero the same wifi name (SSID) and password, which will simplify your devices connecting to wifi as you roam around the house.
Depending on prices for additional units, you can certainly purchase more Orbi and Eero pods instead and go that route. As mentioned, you will want to pick one or the other. Personally I would choose Eero 6 for the WiFi 6 capabilities.
Hope this explanation helps!!