Mesh router recommendations for gigabit

[A[L]C]

Hi all,

Having issues with the supplied smart hub 2 so looking for an upgrade. We have gigabit FTTP in our new build. Unfortunately the build uses metal studs so WiFi struggles. We currently have 2 additional discs which just about works.

What would you recommend to cover the following:

Gigabit capable
Handle around 50 devices
POE
Mesh WiFi with 4 aps

Don't mind if it's separate devices or whatever.

Thanks!

 

[ChrisD.]

Just get a proper access point like a UniFi AP and go from there. You’ll likely find you would only need one.

 

[jaf2212]

Have a look a the unifi APs

A few work in mesh mode but are better without it

 

[A[L]C]

Thanks, what would I need in addition to the ap? Something like a security gateway and cloud key?

 

[WJA96]

UniFi access points are like robots. You program them once and they keep doing that until you program them to do something different. The programmer is the controller software. You can run that controller on almost any platform including Raspberry Pi, Windows PCs, Linux PCs, containers on NAS boxes - pretty much anything. Ubiquiti sell the UniFi CloudKey for this purpose and it’s what I personally use on every site because it makes my life easier.

If you only have one access point then you can do the configuration in the phone app (iOS or Android) but once you get multiple access points you need a controller. UniFi is a software defined network so the hardware devices are all basically dumb - they don’t have a web interface to configure them. That’s all done in the controller. Once you have your head around that concept then UniFi becomes one of the simplest systems to do incredibly complex configurations on because you tell it what to do once and it automagically updates the router, switches and access points to do what you want it to do.

You only need a UniFi Security Gateway or UniFi Dream Machine if you need a router, and you only need a UniFi switch if you need a switch and want to control it from the controller. You can use any switch or any router.