Managed WAP advice please

[Deep]

Hi
I have Virgin BB I get speeds of over 800mbps/180mbps on 2/5hz respectively when close to the router.

My house is spread over 3 floors and is over 3800 sq/ft, and has quite a few solid walls. The virgin router has to be downstairs by the front of the house because that's where the cable comes in.
I have cat5e ethernet distributed to quite a few rooms, about 6.
Wifi coverage was initially a big issue so I plugged a Linksys router into one of the ethernet sockets upstairs towards the back of the house.

This has provided a solution of sorts but there are still issues. There are still a few spots in the house where there is no decent signal, and as there are two separate networks devices don't automatically flip from a weaker to stronger as you move through the house.
With my sonos some rooms are on one network and some on another which is a real pain.

Since I have ethernet sockets dotted around the house I'm looking for some WAPs that can be deployed in those places. Lots of people are recommending ubiquiti unifi to me. The issue is that these are designed to be ceiling, or in some case, wall mounted. Since my ethernet sockets are at normal socket level and I can't start chasing new cables I need devices that were designed to be desk top.

Is there anything which is as 'smart' as ubiquiti ie will push clients to the strongest signal but is designed to be desk top?

Thanks very much

[Gren]

Would imagine that any mesh setup would do this. As long as all the points have ethernet ports for backhaul. One network, seamless handoff

[megaphone]

As you've mention Ubiquiti Unifi is a great option if you have cables in place. Ideally their standard 'disc' APs need to be ceiling mounted however, they can easily be wall mounted down behind a sofa etc, not ideal but an option. The AC lite is not expensive, you could possible have one in each room if the cabling allows. They are small, so could just sit on a table top and not look too out of place.

Also they do a newish UAP - FlexHD, which can be desk top.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-FlexHD-Indoor-Ou...

[walamai]

The Ubiquiti Unifi stuff is pretty good value for money. I've put a 3 access point system in to a friends house about 12 months ago and it works well. I wasn't very impressed with how fiddly it was to set up the controller, so since looked around for alternatives

For another friends house 3 months ago I found the TP-Link Omada range. It's fantastic, similar specs/performance to the Ubiquiti stuff, very slightly cheaper but the management is streets ahead. It was seamless to set it all up, add access points in to the management system, one click firmware updates etc. It has a very intuative web managemnet interface, and there's a mobile app which is very good too.
A big bonus for me (and recommending to friends) is that you don't have to connect it to the 'cloud'. All the management is local. You can create a 'cloud' account for remote management if you like, but it's totally optional

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-networking/oma...

And they do a 'wall plate' access point which might suit what you need. https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-networking/wal...

You will need the little 'cloud controller' box, plus as many access points as you need to cover the house.

The access point's come with a PoE power injector, but a smaller PoE switch is pretty cheap and makes the installation much neater. (plus the cloud controller box can run off PoE too).
Something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-SG1008P-Ethern...

[Dewithedragon]

try the flex hd access point. thats a desktop mounted version

https://unifi-flexhd.ui.com/

I really would try the Ubiquiti unifi stuff. I bought the firewall, 8 port POE switch, cloud key, and the access points for my own house and its been fantastic. fairly easy to setup a basic network.

Maybe go for a rack mount if you have the space. Buy a pro4 gateway with 8 port 150 watt switch with rack ears & cloud key version 2 alsong with the AP's of your choice.

dotting AP's over the house without some form of management is not ideal as you really need something managing the access points channels & device roaming.

The other option is to go with one of the domestic mesh options but then you already have the Ethernet around the house and its a far better option to use that.

Edited by Dewithedragon on Monday 4th May 10:17

[Deep]

megaphone said:

As you've mention Ubiquiti Unifi is a great option if you have cables in place. Ideally their standard 'disc' APs need to be ceiling mounted however, they can easily be wall mounted down behind a sofa etc, not ideal but an option. The AC lite is not expensive, you could possible have one in each room if the cabling allows. They are small, so could just sit on a table top and not look too out of place.

Also they do a newish UAP - FlexHD, which can be desk top.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-FlexHD-Indoor-Ou...

Hi
A few people have said to just place them on a table top but having googled it I have my doubts. The unifi stuff is specifically designed to be ceiling mounted and it's 'signal' pattern will be in accordance with that. I'd be happy to place them on tables/desks but they would then be pointing in the opposite direction to which they were designed for. I'm worried that I could end up flushing £400+ (5 pack and key) down the toilet.

The flex HD is the right physical format I need ie place on table, desk etc. At £160 each it's not cheap but more importantly i can't find much feedback on it. In particular I can't tell whether one unit will provide coverage for just one room or like the better traditional routers will cover a decent area.

Thanks

[Deep]

walamai said:

The Ubiquiti Unifi stuff is pretty good value for money. I've put a 3 access point system in to a friends house about 12 months ago and it works well. I wasn't very impressed with how fiddly it was to set up the controller, so since looked around for alternatives

For another friends house 3 months ago I found the TP-Link Omada range. It's fantastic, similar specs/performance to the Ubiquiti stuff, very slightly cheaper but the management is streets ahead. It was seamless to set it all up, add access points in to the management system, one click firmware updates etc. It has a very intuative web managemnet interface, and there's a mobile app which is very good too.
A big bonus for me (and recommending to friends) is that you don't have to connect it to the 'cloud'. All the management is local. You can create a 'cloud' account for remote management if you like, but it's totally optional

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-networking/oma...

And they do a 'wall plate' access point which might suit what you need. https://www.tp-link.com/uk/business-networking/wal...

You will need the little 'cloud controller' box, plus as many access points as you need to cover the house.

The access point's come with a PoE power injector, but a smaller PoE switch is pretty cheap and makes the installation much neater. (plus the cloud controller box can run off PoE too).
Something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-SG1008P-Ethern...

The ceiling versions throw up the same problem as the unifi ie I can't fit in ceiling. The wall plate ones also cause me an issue. Due to the kind of existing face plates I have if I replace with these I'll have holes showing in the walls. The house is fully decorated so I really would like to avoid this at all costs.

Thank you

[Deep]

Dewithedragon said:

try the flex hd access point. thats a desktop mounted version

https://unifi-flexhd.ui.com/

I really would try the Ubiquiti unifi stuff. I bought the firewall, 8 port POE switch, cloud key, and the access points for my own house and its been fantastic. fairly easy to setup a basic network.

Maybe go for a rack mount if you have the space. Buy a pro4 gateway with 8 port 150 watt switch with rack ears & cloud key version 2 alsong with the AP's of your choice.

dotting AP's over the house without some form of management is not ideal as you really need something managing the access points channels & device roaming.

The other option is to go with one of the domestic mesh options but then you already have the Ethernet around the house and its a far better option to use that.

Edited by Dewithedragon on Monday 4th May 10:17

Hi
Thank you. As I mentioned I can't seem to get a rough idea of how much of a space one flex will cover. I know it depends on walls, steel etc but I need to be sure that you don't require one flex per room as I don't have an ethernet outlet in every room.

I agree with you that APs require management. That's why I'm after a managed system, however (as a non techy) when I read the specs of various systems I don't really understand which are properly managed and which aren't.

Thanks for your help.

[megaphone]

Why not buy one AP and run some tests? I think you're reading too much into the ceiling mount v wall mount v just plonking it on a desk, ceiling mount is obviously ideal but you'll still get very good performance with the other scenarios.

[Bikerjon]

I've installed Unifi AP's in a variety of locations, walls, ceilings, on top of bookshelves - wherever is handy and looks neatest! For a domestic setup don't get too hung up on beam patterns, you'll be fine. However if you want the neatest option then have a look at the in-wall Unifi AP's which can replace your CAT5 sockets.

I would say that with 800Mbps incoming you do need decent gear to make the most of it. Unifi of some form would certainly be my choice.

[FunkyGibbon]

I use Asus AI-Mesh solution. Main router and 2 blue caves cover the 3 story farm house perfectly.

I get ethernet backhaul by powerline adapters and it works fine. With dedicated ethernet like OP it would fly.

They ey have 4 port switch built in. So very flexible.

And they are quite pretty.

[Deep]

megaphone said:

Why not buy one AP and run some tests? I think you're reading too much into the ceiling mount v wall mount v just plonking it on a desk, ceiling mount is obviously ideal but you'll still get very good performance with the other scenarios.

Thanks.
Yes, a few other people have mentioned that sub optimal positioning isn't the end of the world.

[Deep]

Bikerjon said:

I've installed Unifi AP's in a variety of locations, walls, ceilings, on top of bookshelves - wherever is handy and looks neatest! For a domestic setup don't get too hung up on beam patterns, you'll be fine. However if you want the neatest option then have a look at the in-wall Unifi AP's which can replace your CAT5 sockets.

I would say that with 800Mbps incoming you do need decent gear to make the most of it. Unifi of some form would certainly be my choice.

Thank you

[Deep]

FunkyGibbon said:

I use Asus AI-Mesh solution. Main router and 2 blue caves cover the 3 story farm house perfectly.

I get ethernet backhaul by powerline adapters and it works fine. With dedicated ethernet like OP it would fly.

They ey have 4 port switch built in. So very flexible.

And they are quite pretty.

The blue cave looks very interesting.
Does it do the seamless roaming/smart management thing? ie will devices automatically be pushed to the strongest signal?

Thank you.

[FunkyGibbon]

Deep said:

The blue cave looks very interesting.
Does it do the seamless roaming/smart management thing? ie will devices automatically be pushed to the strongest signal?

Thank you.

Yes it does. And you can set thresholds as well if you need to. But I'm using out of the box settings.

[rednotdead]

megaphone said:

Why not buy one AP and run some tests? I think you're reading too much into the ceiling mount v wall mount v just plonking it on a desk, ceiling mount is obviously ideal but you'll still get very good performance with the other scenarios.

This. I bought the unifi AP Lite - it's in one side of my media rack, behind a glass door, surrounded by hifi etc and I get a solid signal throughout my bungalow, even 50ft away in the garden. Sure, it'd probably perform way better centrally mounted on the ceiling but she said no. No complaints about the performance from a 'sub optimal placement'. It's doing the job that 2 BT Whole Home mesh discs used to do.

[Deep]

FunkyGibbon said:

Yes it does. And you can set thresholds as well if you need to. But I'm using out of the box settings.

Thank you. They all seem to be sold out at the moment anyway, all this working and schooling from home malarkey lol

[Deep]

rednotdead said:

This. I bought the unifi AP Lite - it's in one side of my media rack, behind a glass door, surrounded by hifi etc and I get a solid signal throughout my bungalow, even 50ft away in the garden. Sure, it'd probably perform way better centrally mounted on the ceiling but she said no. No complaints about the performance from a 'sub optimal placement'. It's doing the job that 2 BT Whole Home mesh discs used to do.

Thank you. Is it just lying down facing upwards?

[rednotdead]

Face (logo) up, lying on a low shelf.

[Deep]

rednotdead said:

Face (logo) up, lying on a low shelf.

Thank you.