An ordinary router or Wi-Fi Mesh system?

Hello! I was looking for answers to my question on your site in different sections, but in the end I couldn’t come to a complete understanding.

The situation is as follows: the router is obsolete and we want to upgrade it. I have a picture in my head that we need something like a Mesh-system of two devices (I really want “seamless roaming”). One of them should receive the Internet over the wire, distribute it to the floor of the apartment and still have LAN-ports (preferably 4) for wired connection of the computer and others. The second device of the system should work without Internet cable, just receive Wi-Fi (or whatever advanced signal in mesh systems) from the first and distribute it to the other half of the apartment.

To you, respectively, a few questions – do such systems exist, and if so, what points should be based on when choosing them? (for example, I’m looking for mesh systems in online stores, and many of them have no word in the description about that very seamless switching, and they are blown practically all one by one). And in general, how expedient in this case to look for mesh systems, is it possible to do with little blood – to use something simpler?

I would very much like to hear at least just a general answer, but if you can show as an example at least one system that fits my description – I will be just immensely grateful to you!

(type 801.11ac, 2.4 and 5 ghz (which work simultaneously), Wi-Fi limit around 100 Mbps, wired – around 400 Mbps, no usb)

Thank you so much in advance for your reply, and in general for running such a great site!!!!

Response

Hello! I understand correctly, if you are considering to buy a Wi-Fi Mesh-system, then one Wi-Fi router is not enough for your apartment or house? Do you need to use a signal booster?

Pretty much any Mesh system fits your requirements except for one thing – LAN ports. As far as I know, there are no Mesh systems with 4 LAN ports. There are usually two ports. And on the main module (to which the internet is connected) one of the ports is used as WAN (incoming). It turns out that you will have only one LAN port to connect other devices. I think this problem can be solved by buying and installing a switch.

There is no information about seamless switching in the specifications of Mesh-systems for the reason that all these systems by default support the necessary protocols and create a seamless Wi-Fi network (with fast roaming).

Another option is to buy a router and amplifier that supports Mesh technology. For example, TP-Link has devices from the OneMesh line. In short, a router + amplifier with TP-Link Mesh support creates the same seamless Wi-Fi network (as a Wi-Fi Mesh system). But you have a regular router with the number of LAN ports you need as the main device.

Choosing between a Wi-Fi Mesh router system

Other manufacturers also have lines of routers and amplifiers that support Mesh technology. You can buy only a Mesh-enabled router at first. And if the signal will be weak, you will need to strengthen it, then buy an amplifier from the same line of devices and combine them into a network.

Articles on the topic:

When choosing between a regular router and a Mesh system, I would certainly advise you to buy a Mesh system, or a router that supports this technology. Especially if you have a large house or apartment, and there is a need for a Wi-Fi signal booster. One access point is not enough to cover the whole house with signal.