Access Point vs Mesh clarification

[#1]

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Just so I'm crystal clear on this, would a TP-Link TL-WPA4220 KIT AV600 Powerline Adapter Wi-Fi Booster setup mean a single password for the whole wifi (both SSIDs) or would each SSID be associated with a separate (or even the same?) password?  I've never done this before so haven't a clue as to how all the various bits and pieces interact.

Further, would devices "under" one SSID be able to connect seamlessly/transparently to one on the other SSID?

E.g. if I was in the garden on the slave's SSID would a device on the "main" (router) SSID be able to stream to the garden device in exactly the same way as it could to a device on the router SSID?  Hope this makes sense.

Thanks again for clarifying!

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yes, set the acess point ssid's name to the same as the hub2s and the same password and it should seemlessly transfer

[#2]

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@Townman wrote:

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@padbit wrote:

... results are for extenders with ethernet allowing devices to connect to the network rather than being the network feed. 😤

There are different devices in this space, with confusing names / terminology...

• Extenders or Repeaters take the WiFi signal and re-broadcast it - they might also have ethernet ports for local connections - they do not make for overly proficient use of WiFi
• Wireless Access Points (WAPs) require some form of back haul to the router - that can be via ethernet cable or (as in PowerLine adapters) over the mains circuit - they too can offer an ethernet port for local connections

What Google returns will depend on (knowing?) what you asked

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Exactly and worse some comflate the two, which is soooooo sooooooo bad; marketing of products especially on some site will and delibertly conflate and combine the two into one sentance. I'd just call wireless acess points; wireless ap or just ap - not wap (because of mobile wap).

[#3]

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@krusty wrote:

yes, set the acess point ssid's name to the same as the hub2s and the same password and it should seemlessly transfer

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I would substitute ‘should’ with ‘might’. I suspect that it depends on factors such as how well a device hangs on to the weak remote signal and whether or not using the same or different wireless channels causes issue. The only guaranteed way of ensuring automatic transfer is to use mesh units.

In my view you either do the job cheaply and accept different SSIDs or do the job properly and buy a couple of mesh units, preferably interconnecting them with either an Ethernet or Powerline backhaul. 

[#4]

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@krusty wrote:

...Exactly and worse some comflate the two, which is soooooo sooooooo bad; marketing of products especially on some site will and delibertly conflate and combine the two into one sentance. I'd just call wireless acess points; wireless ap or just ap - not wap (because of mobile wap)

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Thanks for that, am making progress, just dithering over options.

If I decide to add another range extender later would it be better to go for a "meshable" device from the start or just add extenders in an ad hoc manner?  Until I actually test things I won't know but I might need a second extender (maybe in the garage maybe in the house) to fully cover all parts of the garden near the house (large shrubs and a few small trees).

I think I have a shortlist of 3 options (doubtless there are many more available but my head's full as it is!):

TL-WPA4220 TL-WPA8631P and your suggestion RT-AX52 ... decisions, decisions. 😊

Thanks again for your input.

[#5]

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

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...In my view you either do the job cheaply and accept different SSIDs or do the job properly and buy a couple of mesh units, preferably interconnecting them with either an Ethernet or Powerline backhaul. 

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Well, I'd much rather do the job properly and did look at mesh options but they seemed awfully pricey for my modest need but I'm beginning to understand why.

Which? recommends a few mesh products all around £250 such as the Deco X50 PoE although I believe the hub2 doesn't support Poe but presumably these Deco devices can be plugged into the mains...

Thanks for the advice.

[#6]

@padbit 

what product are you on Full Fibre or copper wire based, as this determines some of the advice given

[#7]

@Dan_the_Van 

Currently on copper but with landline 'phones ending soon will probably upgrade to fibre eventually.

[#8]

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@padbit wrote:

Which? recommends a few mesh products all around £250 such as the Deco X50 PoE although I believe the hub2 doesn't support Poe but presumably these Deco devices can be plugged into the mains...

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Ouch!!

With black Friday coming up I would expect there to be perfectly suitable options suitable for mere mortals available for half that.

[#9]

@padbit 

Being a copper delivery adds an extra layer to what you can do as you require a modem for an router only or mesh system.

The hub two can be configured as modem only which helps.

The connection between the hub two in modem mode and router is a ethernet cable, so it may be possible to relocate the router to a more central position.

[#10]

@padbit I know that all four of us are helping so thats good and you are asking good questions.

from what i understand is:

- you are on copper

- you want to extend wireless to the outside.

- you don't want an outside unit due to minature friends that like cables.

first question i'd ask 

where do you want the second unit positioned

Then

how far is it from the router

can you run a cat5e cable from the two locations.

What you can't do

- with the hub 2 make a mesh system.

Whilst you are extending the wifi, you aren't using a wifi extender, you will be creating a new wifi access point. 

[#11]

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@krusty wrote:

...first question i'd ask 

where do you want the second unit positioned... how far is it from the router... can you run a cat5e cable from the two locations.

First unit is roughly ~5m from router and has almost line of sight down hallway plus only has to get through a wooden door - but strength is still down to 3 bars when door is closed!

If needed the second unit would probably be positioned maybe a metre or two further away but with several inner walls between unit and router plus this location doesn't have much window space for the signal to get outside (hence also considering garage, tho' that's further away).

Cat 5 to both would be feasible tho' powerline would be easier for second unit.

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@krusty wrote:

What you can't do

- with the hub 2 make a mesh system.

Whilst you are extending the wifi, you aren't using a wifi extender, you will be creating a new wifi access point. 

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I (finally!) understand.

One thing I'm still not clear about: if I do create a second AP (and maybe a third) each with their own SSIDs and authentication (separate passwords) would devices connected to different APs "see" each other the way devices on the same wifi network can?

That is, would streaming etc. from devices connected to different APs work the same way as it would between devices that are currently on the house wifi network?  I suspect not but thought I'd ask.  If not, could this be implemented via bridge or routing?

Thanks for your continued assistance, I'm learning a lot.

[#12]

@padbit 

Is Full Fibre available to you?

If it is, it might be worth upgrading before you start spending money on Mesh / Wifi Access Point / Powerline.

There is a bit of leeway as to where the internal ONT is situated but more to the point the router is connected via ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run said cable.

Brian

[#13]

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@bmc wrote:

@padbit 

Is Full Fibre available to you?

If it is, it might be worth upgrading before you start spending money on Mesh / Wifi Access Point / Powerline.

There is a bit of leeway as to where the internal ONT is situated but more to the point the router is connected via ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run said cable.

Brian

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yeah i was thinking the same, 5m is kinda short between two Access points, putting the router by the window would work better and be cheaper, or @padbit use the hub2 and wait for some sale items. 

If @padbit can get fttp, maybe a single higher powered router would do the house and garden.

[#14]

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@bmc wrote:

Is Full Fibre available to you?

There is a bit of leeway as to where the internal ONT is situated but more to the point the router is connected via ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run said cable.

Good point: full fibre is (I think) available - will check.

Thanks! 

[#15]

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@krusty wrote:

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yeah i was thinking the same, 5m is kinda short between two Access points, putting the router by the window would work better and be cheaper, or @padbit use the hub2 and wait for some sale items. 

If @padbit can get fttp, maybe a single higher powered router would do the house and garden.

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Another good idea.  I'm beginning to have an embarrassment of options! 😊

Thanks.