Home Router/WiFi/Mesh Question - Help!!
Discussion
Hoping someone can help me understand my current home 4G broadband setup, and possibly improve it. I'm fairly techie but am now at the limit of my networking knowledge, help!
It's a bit of a saga .......
We live in the sticks on the Dorset/Devon border. Old cottage, thick stone walls, in a steep valley, plenty of trees around. No possibility of fibre broadband in my area so when we bought the house I arranged for a local fellow to install a 4G system for me. Went with a EE contract, 4G, unlimited data, £34 per month. Wife works from home and needs good internet access, plus we want to stream Netlix, Prime, movies etc.
He installed a MicroTik combined directional antenna/modem on the gable end, pointed to the nearest mast. Cable down to a MicroTik hAP ac Lite router, terminated with an RJ45 plug.Line of sight to the mast is good but he said trees potentially an issue,
One of these: https://www.senetic.co.uk/product-rbd52g-5hacd2hnd...
Cable terminated with an RJ45 plug, into Port 1 of the router which provides PoE to the modem on the gable end. Set up the router WiFi 2.4 and 5.0Ghz, renamed, changed passwords etc, all good. Speeds download (Ookla test) vary, depending on time of day but 10mbps is unusual, 20mbps typical, 30mbs sometimes, and rarely 40mbps. Ping time (latency?) varies 23-30ms. Upload speeds always 20+mbps.
To improve WiFi throughout the house (250 year old cottage, some very chunky stone walls) I bought three Devolo power line WiFi adaptors. This sorted the distribution problem, good WiFi coverage, but this meant we now had three networks running. I made their names and password the same hoping that 'roaming' in the house ould be seamless but found that often the device in use didn't 'release' one network and log onto a better one with stronger signal. So there was an element of manually disconnecting from one and reconnecting.
This became tiresome, so I invested in a TP-Link Deco P9 Mesh system to replace my D-Link power line adaptors. One of these: https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/de...
Ran a Cat5 cable from router to first Deco unit. The Deco P9 combines Powerline and Mesh technology and seemed the answer to a maiden's prayer. All worked well. I left the WiFi network from the MicroTik router alone, just didn't log into it.
About a week ago we noticed that internet connections were getting slow, maybe 10 seconds to load a page, but this was intermittent, sometimes it was fine, others times it was slow. When slow, a speed test reported that speeds were very 'normal', which doesn't make much sense.
Any ideas why this might be?
Is it possible that the MicroTik router is playing up. Admit I've taken against it, looks cheap and nasty. Happy enough to go and get another (I gave a BT Home Hub 6 away last month!) but routers with PoE are few and far between. I can see plenty of PoE Switches and Access Points, but I don't think that's what I need. (or do I?)
Would I be able to use a router without PoE if I add a PoE Injector, like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PoE150S-Inject...
Thoughts and suggestions gratefully received. Thanks.
PS have been trying to get to the router settings to switch off the WiFi but can't get past the Admin login page. Reluctant to do a factory reset until I have an escape route as my wife needs good internet access to work from home on Monday.
PPS Am I correct in thinking that I can't connect my Deco to the modem (even with a PoE injector) as it is not a router?
It's a bit of a saga .......
We live in the sticks on the Dorset/Devon border. Old cottage, thick stone walls, in a steep valley, plenty of trees around. No possibility of fibre broadband in my area so when we bought the house I arranged for a local fellow to install a 4G system for me. Went with a EE contract, 4G, unlimited data, £34 per month. Wife works from home and needs good internet access, plus we want to stream Netlix, Prime, movies etc.
He installed a MicroTik combined directional antenna/modem on the gable end, pointed to the nearest mast. Cable down to a MicroTik hAP ac Lite router, terminated with an RJ45 plug.Line of sight to the mast is good but he said trees potentially an issue,
One of these: https://www.senetic.co.uk/product-rbd52g-5hacd2hnd...
Cable terminated with an RJ45 plug, into Port 1 of the router which provides PoE to the modem on the gable end. Set up the router WiFi 2.4 and 5.0Ghz, renamed, changed passwords etc, all good. Speeds download (Ookla test) vary, depending on time of day but 10mbps is unusual, 20mbps typical, 30mbs sometimes, and rarely 40mbps. Ping time (latency?) varies 23-30ms. Upload speeds always 20+mbps.
To improve WiFi throughout the house (250 year old cottage, some very chunky stone walls) I bought three Devolo power line WiFi adaptors. This sorted the distribution problem, good WiFi coverage, but this meant we now had three networks running. I made their names and password the same hoping that 'roaming' in the house ould be seamless but found that often the device in use didn't 'release' one network and log onto a better one with stronger signal. So there was an element of manually disconnecting from one and reconnecting.
This became tiresome, so I invested in a TP-Link Deco P9 Mesh system to replace my D-Link power line adaptors. One of these: https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/de...
Ran a Cat5 cable from router to first Deco unit. The Deco P9 combines Powerline and Mesh technology and seemed the answer to a maiden's prayer. All worked well. I left the WiFi network from the MicroTik router alone, just didn't log into it.
About a week ago we noticed that internet connections were getting slow, maybe 10 seconds to load a page, but this was intermittent, sometimes it was fine, others times it was slow. When slow, a speed test reported that speeds were very 'normal', which doesn't make much sense.
Any ideas why this might be?
Is it possible that the MicroTik router is playing up. Admit I've taken against it, looks cheap and nasty. Happy enough to go and get another (I gave a BT Home Hub 6 away last month!) but routers with PoE are few and far between. I can see plenty of PoE Switches and Access Points, but I don't think that's what I need. (or do I?)
Would I be able to use a router without PoE if I add a PoE Injector, like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PoE150S-Inject...
Thoughts and suggestions gratefully received. Thanks.
PS have been trying to get to the router settings to switch off the WiFi but can't get past the Admin login page. Reluctant to do a factory reset until I have an escape route as my wife needs good internet access to work from home on Monday.
PPS Am I correct in thinking that I can't connect my Deco to the modem (even with a PoE injector) as it is not a router?
Edited by Tim O on Saturday 5th December 14:02
Sounds like something has changed but what??
If your network has been fairly stable in its current state and you know nothing has changed, I'd be inclined to look at the cellular connection.
Do you have the ability to test the ping speed & throughput of your network in isolation? Connect something into the router (which services the 4G box in the loft) and then run the speed & throughput tests from the furthest most part of the house. If this is all working fine, then your problem is with the cellular side of things.
On the cellular side, things move and can obstruct your line of sight. There's also the chance there's engineering works which might mean the antenna serving you is being moved, reconfigured or even off line. Is there an engineering mode on the cellular box, which can give you the the signal strengths, etc (PCI / RSRP / RSRQ & SNR are the readings you're looking for) ?
M
If your network has been fairly stable in its current state and you know nothing has changed, I'd be inclined to look at the cellular connection.
Do you have the ability to test the ping speed & throughput of your network in isolation? Connect something into the router (which services the 4G box in the loft) and then run the speed & throughput tests from the furthest most part of the house. If this is all working fine, then your problem is with the cellular side of things.
On the cellular side, things move and can obstruct your line of sight. There's also the chance there's engineering works which might mean the antenna serving you is being moved, reconfigured or even off line. Is there an engineering mode on the cellular box, which can give you the the signal strengths, etc (PCI / RSRP / RSRQ & SNR are the readings you're looking for) ?
M
rednotdead said:
Are the Decos in router or AP mode?
Nothing wrong with mikrotik gear, yes it's plasticky but as routers they are excellent.
AP? Access point?Nothing wrong with mikrotik gear, yes it's plasticky but as routers they are excellent.
Not sure, tbh, they as they came out of the box, I've changed nothing apart from naming the system and changing password. Can the first node act as a router?
Just reading the online stuff for the Decos and it appears on first setup you choose to act as router or plain access point. If it's in router mode that might explain your issues. If not, then pass I'm afraid. As above, something has changed and if you can pin it down to when you put in the Decos the finger is pointing to them.
camel_landy said:
Sounds like something has changed but what??
If your network has been fairly stable in its current state and you know nothing has changed, I'd be inclined to look at the cellular connection.
Do you have the ability to test the ping speed & throughput of your network in isolation? Connect something into the router (which services the 4G box in the loft) and then run the speed & throughput tests from the furthest most part of the house. If this is all working fine, then your problem is with the cellular side of things.
Speed and latency tests suggests that everything is as it was before, but now we are getting the interruption, click a link, wait, nothing happens, times out, refresh the page and it instantly loads. This is intermittent, usually works perfectly. If your network has been fairly stable in its current state and you know nothing has changed, I'd be inclined to look at the cellular connection.
Do you have the ability to test the ping speed & throughput of your network in isolation? Connect something into the router (which services the 4G box in the loft) and then run the speed & throughput tests from the furthest most part of the house. If this is all working fine, then your problem is with the cellular side of things.
camel_landy said:
On the cellular side, things move and can obstruct your line of sight. There's also the chance there's engineering works which might mean the antenna serving you is being moved, reconfigured or even off line. Is there an engineering mode on the cellular box, which can give you the the signal strengths, etc (PCI / RSRP / RSRQ & SNR are the readings you're looking for) ?
M
I can't access the antenna/modem, it's outside the house on the gable end. It's a MicroTik STX of some flavour (I think). Would I be able to access it via the MicroTik router setup? (which I can't find a way of accessing, might need to do a factory reset)M
rednotdead said:
Just reading the online stuff for the Decos and it appears on first setup you choose to act as router or plain access point. If it's in router mode that might explain your issues. If not, then pass I'm afraid. As above, something has changed and if you can pin it down to when you put in the Decos the finger is pointing to them.
If I set the Decos up in router mode and connect direct to the modem (on the roof) I need to find a way of powering the modem. Would a PoE Injector work?nyt said:
Are the P9s meshing using WiFi and Powerline.
There is a little symbol indicating powerline when you examine an individual P9.
I have has trouble getting a Powerline connection if the P9 is plugged into an extension cable.
Are the P9s meshing using WiFi and Powerline. Yes, I believe so.There is a little symbol indicating powerline when you examine an individual P9.
I have has trouble getting a Powerline connection if the P9 is plugged into an extension cable.
No extension leads being used. Not sure what you mean about a symbol. Do you mean on the app, or on the node itself? What am I looking for?
Fairly sure the Deco is working perfectly fine, I'm more suspicious of the modem and router. I'm wondering that having a wifi output from both the router and Deco might be creating some conflict, somehow. I need to with the Microtik WiFi off, I think. My preference though would be to remove the Microtik router entirely, but then I have the problem of how I power the modem.
The Deco have been working fine for some weeks now, this is a recent issue, last few days only.
Edited by Tim O on Saturday 5th December 14:56
Tim O said:
I can't access the antenna/modem, it's outside the house on the gable end. It's a MicroTik STX of some flavour (I think). Would I be able to access it via the MicroTik router setup? (which I can't find a way of accessing, might need to do a factory reset)
If you have the credentials, you should be able to SSH onto the STX. Once you have a session up, there are tools for interrogating the device.A quick 'Google' has thrown up this manual: https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:Interface/LT...
The 'info' & 'cell-monitor' commands will be good starting points.
It might also be worth noting that as you're on EE, there _will_ be lots happening:
- EE is providing the core for the new ESN (Emergency Services Network)
- They are rolling out 5G
- A lot of their 4G network is based on Huawai, so they will be swapping out lots of kit.
Tim O said:
Are the P9s meshing using WiFi and Powerline. Yes, I believe so.
No extension leads being used. Not sure what you mean about a symbol. Do you mean on the app, or on the node itself? What am I looking for?
Fairly sure the Deco is working perfectly fine, I'm more suspicious of the modem and router. I'm wondering that having a wifi output from both the router and Deco might be creating some conflict, somehow. I need to with the Microtik WiFi off, I think. My preference though would be to remove the Microtik router entirely, but then I have the problem of how I power the modem.
The Deco have been working fine for some weeks now, this is a recent issue, last few days only.
Powerline indicator shown in the attached pictureNo extension leads being used. Not sure what you mean about a symbol. Do you mean on the app, or on the node itself? What am I looking for?
Fairly sure the Deco is working perfectly fine, I'm more suspicious of the modem and router. I'm wondering that having a wifi output from both the router and Deco might be creating some conflict, somehow. I need to with the Microtik WiFi off, I think. My preference though would be to remove the Microtik router entirely, but then I have the problem of how I power the modem.
The Deco have been working fine for some weeks now, this is a recent issue, last few days only.
Edited by Tim O on Saturday 5th December 14:56
“Slow” hides a multitude of sins in user space.
What I take from your post is that;
1) Some times speed is fine
2) Sometimes it takes a while to open a page (10 sec)
3) When it is being slow to open a page, the common speed test applications say your connection is fine.
Questions:
- you say slow to open a page. Is this slow to open every page, or just the first page on a site? Say you go to “news.bbc.co.uk” - it takes forever. Then when you click on a story is it fast?
- when you speed test it - what is the latency figure?
- if you’re (say) on a conf call or watching a video, does it perform well most of the time? Or does the slow page load issue kill everything on every machine at the same time?
There’s a reasonable chance this is nothing to do with your local WiFi - it could be that your primary DNS server has been configured to something shonky, which occasionally times out (happened to me with BT).
I would try and connect something to the edge router directly (either WiFi or wired - port 2 of your router would do. When one of your devices is on a go slow, check with this device - that will include or exclude your domestic WiFi.
What I take from your post is that;
1) Some times speed is fine
2) Sometimes it takes a while to open a page (10 sec)
3) When it is being slow to open a page, the common speed test applications say your connection is fine.
Questions:
- you say slow to open a page. Is this slow to open every page, or just the first page on a site? Say you go to “news.bbc.co.uk” - it takes forever. Then when you click on a story is it fast?
- when you speed test it - what is the latency figure?
- if you’re (say) on a conf call or watching a video, does it perform well most of the time? Or does the slow page load issue kill everything on every machine at the same time?
There’s a reasonable chance this is nothing to do with your local WiFi - it could be that your primary DNS server has been configured to something shonky, which occasionally times out (happened to me with BT).
I would try and connect something to the edge router directly (either WiFi or wired - port 2 of your router would do. When one of your devices is on a go slow, check with this device - that will include or exclude your domestic WiFi.
xeny said:
Can you get an ethernet connection into the router, and check that your external connection is definitely healthy? You'll be quite frustrated if you spend a lot of time fiddling with the internal network only to discover it's a lack of external bandwidth?
I need to find an adaptor, neither of our laptops have ethernet ports, so I'll see what I can find, but good call.rxe said:
“Slow” hides a multitude of sins in user space.
What I take from your post is that;
1) Some times speed is fine
2) Sometimes it takes a while to open a page (10 sec)
3) When it is being slow to open a page, the common speed test applications say your connection is fine.
Questions:
- you say slow to open a page. Is this slow to open every page, or just the first page on a site? Say you go to “news.bbc.co.uk” - it takes forever. Then when you click on a story is it fast?
- when you speed test it - what is the latency figure?
- if you’re (say) on a conf call or watching a video, does it perform well most of the time? Or does the slow page load issue kill everything on every machine at the same time?
There’s a reasonable chance this is nothing to do with your local WiFi - it could be that your primary DNS server has been configured to something shonky, which occasionally times out (happened to me with BT).
I would try and connect something to the edge router directly (either WiFi or wired - port 2 of your router would do. When one of your devices is on a go slow, check with this device - that will include or exclude your domestic WiFi.
1: I'd say it was random, not necessarily the first page on a site.What I take from your post is that;
1) Some times speed is fine
2) Sometimes it takes a while to open a page (10 sec)
3) When it is being slow to open a page, the common speed test applications say your connection is fine.
Questions:
- you say slow to open a page. Is this slow to open every page, or just the first page on a site? Say you go to “news.bbc.co.uk” - it takes forever. Then when you click on a story is it fast?
- when you speed test it - what is the latency figure?
- if you’re (say) on a conf call or watching a video, does it perform well most of the time? Or does the slow page load issue kill everything on every machine at the same time?
There’s a reasonable chance this is nothing to do with your local WiFi - it could be that your primary DNS server has been configured to something shonky, which occasionally times out (happened to me with BT).
I would try and connect something to the edge router directly (either WiFi or wired - port 2 of your router would do. When one of your devices is on a go slow, check with this device - that will include or exclude your domestic WiFi.
2: Latency just now 25ms, speed 11 mbps
3: Not noticed any problems on conference calls, certainly no dropouts for call fails. For the first time we had a little buffering when streaming TV.
See above answer, I'll find something to cable connect to the router. Our two desktops are too far way to make it easy.
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