Wifi coverage is fine. It is the Google mesh system that is troublesome. The damned thing takes one or more of my APs (Google Wifi "puck" or whatever) that is wired, with a known good connection, and switches to mesh wireless. With metal roofs, and cinder block walls, speed drops to maybe 20 Mbps. Maybe. It worked fine until a year ago, and then started this. I have done all the torubleshooting possible, swapping APs, rebooting, restoring them to stock, etc. This appears to be a common issue with them, with no known solution. As such, I am tired of the challenges of a fully closed, proprietary system which has significant limitations. Much like a ReoLink vs. Dahua camera. Both get a job done, just not the same job.
Will the Ubiquiti Wifi 6 Aps provide guest wifi and vlan services without Ubiquit switches? I have five GB switches right now, would I need to replace them to get those services?
VLAN: You'll need a switch, router, firewall that supports VLAN's.
As it relates to so called
Mesh it should be noted the vast majority of people and vendors do not explain or use the term
Mesh correctly - much less use it as intended!
A true Mesh system is assumed that three nodes (those widgets / blocks) in use are simply powered and than connected wirelessly to one another!
Depending upon the system (All in one vs Add on's) there is at least one node that is connected to the LAN. All others are linked together to one another by RF.
The biggest mistake is thinking when they have say three nodes and connect them via hardline to the LAN and also enable Meshing! That's not how it was intended or works and absolutely will impact your ability to see the stated range, speed, and throughput.
When three nodes are connected directly to the LAN they are Access Points.
There are common problems that everyone should check and fine tune to suite their personal environment.
- Auto Mode: Almost every system on the market has a auto mode for transmit power, and channel. Some environments just work better in auto and negotiate perfectly fine vs others don't. In those cases it makes sense to choose a less used channel for better reception / transmit. When channels are selected they should be based on using any of the dozen
tools to identify what channels are heavily in use. Once known, select the channels that are not in those ranges for less interference and reliability.
It should be noted just because you select a different channel doesn't mean its going to be a lot better vs worse. As some devices simply do not connect reliably to X vs Y.
In your scenario place all units into auto and let the system choose what works best. If it solves the problem - stop. if it doesn't insure all three systems are using channels spread apart say 1- 6 - 11 for 2.4 ghz.
Transmit Power: The biggest problem when a mesh system is deployed is everyone changes the output to high. If the system is in auto change it to low, medium, high, and see what the difference is. One major problem which seems counter to what people would expect is when a so called mesh system is in place each node should be set to drop off or over lap a specific distance / range.
Why???
Signal hang . . .
Essentially this is seen everyday where a device can see one bar. That WiFi device will just keep hanging on to that signal forever until it can't connect. This is why having a mesh network that is well defined for low power to avoid over lap works much better.
You literally walk past 30 feet and poof no signal . . .
It doesn't matter because node one is in building one and this covers that area completely. Now, you walk over to building two and once you reach 15 feet you see a new signal - no signal hang.
Walk over to building three same thing . . .
Obviously this requires testing, validation, and long term follow up. So, adjust the power to low / medium to see if this cures the signal hang.
As it relates to channel width VHT 20 / 40 / 80 . . .
Same applies and comes down to your own environment of building materials, RFI / EMI interference, distance, etc.
The easiest thing to do is disconnect all mesh nodes and leave just one in place. Complete basic tests of streaming a YouTube video and walk around the house. If everything is fine your next step is to be realistic as to connectivity outside of the home. If you're like many who want to see 50-100 feet from a unit installed in the house - shake your head!
People who want outside WiFi need to have AP's installed - Outside!
Again, this is why its important all three buildings in the above example define realistic WiFi reception that is germane to that location only.
