Daisy chain mesh routers, or coaxial?

[Jnorris235]

Sorry for a couple of basic questions. Advice from an expert has me all upside down!

I’m on EE 150Mb plan full fibre and no particular problems to report and my contract is due up in the summer. I think that EE’s plan for an extra tenner a month for 3 mesh routers incl main router is way cheaper (£120 over 2 years) than buying my own kit but he said:

1) for 4 TVs streaming, 6 people (3 in all day) with all their gadgets including one gamer he said upgrade to a Gigabet deal to futureproof for 4K streaming. Sensible?

2) in our 50m long place with thick stone walls everywhere and the fibre box at one end, 1 EE mesh router is ethernet connected to main router - but then has to talk to to others by wireless. He said they really should be wired together (daisy chained) but this doesnt seem possible (only 1 port on them). Or individually connected back to the main router (major problem hiding the wires, so not ideal. Again, sensible? And if so, how - a network switch dangling out of each mesh router?

3) I do have coaxial aerial sockets in each room (40 years old tho). I know this can be used - is this the best option?

[Mustrum]

@Jnorris235 

You can argue either way, but at least if you buy your own mesh system you can still use it after two years.

1. With that many users then an upgrade  would be semsible. How are you getting on with what you have now?

2. A ethernet connection back to the main router would be great, but not always possible, so you will need to experiment where to best place the extenders or a Mesh.

3. T=You can't use coax to connect routers without even more equipment to convert the ethernet connection into something that TV Coax may be able to transmit, and then convert it back.

[JimM11]

@Jnorris235 Answer's, No 3) NO just forget that cannot be done... Unless you are pulling out the coaxial and replacing all with Ethernet cable and new front plates with RJ45 Sockets.

2) You have at least one Mesh Extender in the wired backhaul node, so that is good. You would only need 1 5 port switch where the cable into the Extender is now, then cable from that area to each of the other Extenders, you can look to see if that is possible. Tp-Link TL-SG105S work good just as a guide. One wired and same as before should also be fine, just some speed reductions..

1), 4K streaming is 30-50mb/s per device, gaming is as per demand, there is also 300/500/900 speeds, it's all about choice, and if you have complaints about not enough bandwidth at present. £10 per month is £240 over the 24 months, but sure that the EE Smarthub+ versions that is wi-fi 6 are now as low as £7, and may be open to some negotiation skills, do not see any mention off what EE Router that you have currently. Link below will show the current range.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/compare-our-range-of-broadband-hubs

[Jnorris235]

Thanks. No, no problems. It’s just a pain finding sockets where a router can peep thru a doorway into the next room if I were to move them to stop dead spots. Hence looking at alternatives. And being told that there will be problems as Wifi & and 4k TV becomes commonplace;

[Jnorris235]

Thanks. Just one query - is it better to have the ethernet connectors from the Mesh routers going back to the main router or doesnt it matter and indeed the network switch could just as well be used on the first mesh routers going back,or another network switch to daisychain down the house?.

[JimM11]

@Jnorris235 All going back separate is the best way in a pure speed situation, but really will not be noticed if you have the switch at the end off the Ethernet that exist's currently. Think this way, each extender has a 1 GB/s Ethernet port, so your three extenders each connect to the switch, the original cable goes back to the EE Router, that is also just a 1Gb/s ethernet port. So it's 3 in and 1 out, The main pipe your FF900 is rated 1Gb/s max speed and only an intensive data download will ever saturate that speed port, and trust me that nearly never happens unless your gamer decides to download a 100G Byte new game, and then you have to rely on all of the other equipment external out on the cloud etc servicing that pipe.

No matter what the FF connection is the limit, 1Gb/s is fast, and you will honestly not even see any difference. It's all going to be about what is easiest way to route the other cables, if you can go back to the router you will not even need the switch unless you run out of connections on the back of that EE Router. HTH

[JimM11]

@Jnorris235 

1. Mesh furthest. 2. mesh next in line, 1 &2 both extended wirelessly. 3. Mesh with Ethernet cable that goes all the way back and plugs into the EE Router.

Switch location goes at number 3, the cable comes out and plugs to the switch Lan Port 5 Uplink. New cable short one plugs from the Extender to the Switch into Lan port 3.

Cable from 1. goes to the switch area and plugs into lan port 1.

Cable from 2. goes to the switch area and plugs into lan port 2.

Hopefully you do not need other Ethernet plug in points elsewhere as you have covered all your wireless mesh area's...

[JimM11 · Accepted solution]

@Jnorris235 Here below is some information when you get time just take a look.

Info links about mesh
https://www.howtogeek.com/290418/what-are-mesh-wi-fi-systems-and-how-do-they-work/

https://www.howtogeek.com/802557/mesh-router-mistakes-to-avoid/

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/how-to-set-up-mesh-network#:~:text=You%E2%80%99ll%20only....

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Place your router in a central, unobstructed location to ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.

Aim for the center of the most important area of your home.

If you have a home with multiple floors, consider which floors you frequent the most.

Keep your router in an open space away from concrete/brick walls, electronics, water and microwaves.

Raise your router up to allow the signals to transmit to every area of your home.

https://www.howtogeek.com/428216/where-to-place-your-router-for-the-best-wi-fi-speeds/

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[Jnorris235]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer, and the follow-up questions - AND explaining your reasons so clearly.

[JimM11]

@Jnorris235 Planning and positioning is 90% off the battle, get that right and the rest is a total breeze, but as you say network cable runs can be a complete nightmare, especially when the better half say's NO WAY your having a laugh...