WiFi has made it convenient for everyone to stay connected to the internet without actually being connected to a cable. This means that you can move around your home or office without losing connectivity. However, there are some challenges that come with using WiFi, especially if you have a large home or office space. One of the biggest challenges is getting full and consistent coverage throughout the entire area.
Fortunately, you can do something to keep every area of your home or office with steady, high-speed internetâby using a WiFi mesh network. In this article, weâll help you set up a mesh network in your property, as well as understand how it works and how it can benefit you. Letâs begin!
What is a Mesh Network?
A mesh network is a type of network thatâs composed of several devices, called nodes. These nodes work together to create a single, cohesive network that covers a specific areaâlike your home or office. Itâs different from a traditional WiFi network because it doesnât just rely on one central router to provide internet throughout the property.
Instead, each node in the mesh network communicates with the others to create a âmesh.â This way, every node can act as both a client and an access point, which helps to boost the signal and creates a more reliable network. If you have a large home or office space or live in an area with poor WiFi reception or many âdead spots,â then a mesh network is a great option for you.
What is a WiFi Dead Spot?
A WiFi dead spot is an area in your home or office where the WiFi signal is too weak to reach. This can be caused by many things, including walls, interference from other devices, or even furniture. If you have a large property, then itâs likely that you have at least a few dead spots. While you may think that your wireless provider has something to do with this, then youâre wrong.
However, we understand that this situation can be frustrating because it means that youâll experience a drop in connectivity whenever you move to that area. With a mesh network, however, you can eliminate dead spots because each node helps to boost the signal throughout the entire property.
How to Set Up a WiFi Mesh Network in Your Home or Office
To make the most out of what you pay for your internet provider, you must address the dead spots in your property as quickly as possible. Hereâs how to set up a WiFi mesh network on your property.
- Find the best location for your router.
The first thing you need to do is to choose the best location for your router. This is important because it will determine the strength and quality of your WiFi signal. If you have a single-story home, then we recommend that you place the router in a central location. However, if you have a multi-story home, then you should place the router on the second floor.
This is because the higher up you place the router, the better chance it has of broadcasting a strong signal throughout your entire propertyâincluding those hard-to-reach places. Just make sure that you donât place it too close to any metal objects because this can interfere with the signal.
- Place your nodes in the right locations.
Once youâve chosen the perfect location for your router, the next step is to decide where to place your nodes. As we mentioned earlier, each node in the mesh network communicates with the others to create a cohesive network that covers your entire property. So, itâs important that you place them in strategic locations throughout your home or office.
Some factors you should consider when placing your nodes include:
- The size of your property: If you have a small home or office, then you wonât need as many nodes as someone who has a large property.
- The layout of your property: The layout of your property can also affect how many nodes you need. If your property is spread out, then youâll likely need more nodes to cover the same area.
- The number of devices you have: The more devices you have on your network, the more strain it will put on your system. So, if you have a lot of devices, then you may need more nodes to maintain a strong signal.
- Connect your devices to the network.
Once youâve placed your router and nodes in the right locations, the next step is to connect your devices to the network. To do this, simply find the SSID (network name) and password for your mesh network and enter it into your deviceâs WiFi settings. Once youâve connected, you should be able to enjoy a stronger and more reliable WiFi signal throughout your entire property.
4 Factors to Consider Before Setting Up a WiFi Mesh Network
A WiFi mesh network is a great way to eliminate dead spots and boost your signal, but there are a few factors you should consider before setting one up.
- Cost
One of the first things you should consider before setting up a mesh network is the cost. While mesh networks can be expensive, theyâre still cheaper than other options like buying a new router or extending your current WiFi network.
- Installation Process
The installation process can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large property. So, if youâre not comfortable with installing the system yourself, then you may want to hire a professional to do it for you.
- Coverage
The coverage size can also affect how many nodes you need. If your property is spread out, then youâll likely need more nodes to cover the same area.
Advantages of Having a WiFi Mesh Network
Aside from eliminating dead spots in your home or office, there are several advantages of having a WiFi mesh network on your property.
- Stable connection: One of the biggest advantages of mesh networks is that they offer stable connections across your property. This is because each node in the network creates its own mini-network, which helps to improve the overall speed and performance of the system.
- Better Coverage: As we mentioned earlier, mesh networks are designed to cover a larger area than traditional WiFi routers. So, if you have a large home or office, then a mesh network is the best way to ensure that every corner of your property has a strong signal.
- Ease of Use: Another advantage of mesh networks is that theyâre extremely easy to use. Unlike traditional WiFi routers, thereâs no need to worry about connecting multiple devices or dealing with complex settings. Instead, all you need to do is connect your devices to the network, and youâre good to go.
Disadvantages of Having a WiFi Mesh Network
Of course, no technology is perfect and there are some disadvantages of having a WiFi mesh network on your property. These include:
- High Cost
One of the biggest drawbacks of mesh networks is that they can be quite expensive. This is because you need to purchase multiple nodes to cover your entire property, which can add up quickly.
- Latency
Another downside of mesh networks is that they can suffer from latency issues. This means that there may be a slight delay in the time it takes for data to travel between devices on the network. Latency is not a good thing for people who loves online gaming and streaming.
- Demand for Power
Each node works as a terminal to transmit and receive messages across the network. The usual workload does demand a lot of power to keep the nodes operational 24/7. The situation can be quite troublesome if a node isnât linked directly to a power system.
- Heavy Workload
Other nodes in the mesh must support the network when one goes down. This means that another node is put under more stress than normal. Each node in the network is already overloaded with work to get done.
The system becomes more complicated since each node can also operate as a router in addition to sending messages. Furthermore, as more nodes fail, the amount of data traveling through each one multiplies.
Is Having a Mesh Network Worth It?
While there are significant advantages and disadvantages of having a WiFi mesh network, the bottom line is that it really depends on your needs. If you have a large property and are looking for the best way to cover it with a strong signal, then a mesh network is definitely worth considering. However, if you live in a small apartment or office, then you may be better off with a traditional WiFi router.
Conclusion
If youâre tired of dealing with dead spots in your home or office, then we recommend that you set up a WiFi mesh network. This type of network is designed to eliminate dead spots by creating connected networks that cover your entire property. As long as you follow the steps outlined in this guide, then you should have no problem setting it up yourself.