Recently, some fans of our Router-switch.com Blog asked that, what is the Mesh Networking? What is the difference between mesh routers and repeaters? What is the best Mesh WiFi?
In this post, let me introduce this useful technology.
What is the Mesh?
Mesh network is “wireless mesh network”, which is a “multi-hop” network, developed from ad hoc network, and is one of the key technologies to solve the “last mile” problem. In the process of evolving to next-generation networks, wireless is an indispensable technology. Wireless mesh can communicate with other networks and is a dynamic network architecture that can be continuously expanded. Any two devices can maintain wireless interconnection.
Before the emergence and popularization of Mesh technology, we used to mainly use wireless relay to expand signal coverage. Compared with wireless relay, Mesh completely compensates for the latter’s shortcomings and can be said to be the most ideal solution at present.
Repeater vs. Mesh System
- Mesh system configuration is simpler
The Mesh system is a whole. Adding Mesh nodes and modifying Mesh network settings are very simple. Modifying the master node information will automatically synchronize other routers in the entire Mesh network. New nodes do not need to set SSID, password, and superior. Information such as routers, etc., will be automatically synchronized after being connected, and will be automatically networked. It only needs one key to easily complete the network configuration, which is used by parents and children.
For wireless relays, you need to configure the SSID and password one by one, and select the network that needs to be relayed. The steps are extremely cumbersome and the threshold is high.
- The Mesh system can be assembled intelligently and repaired by myself
The Mesh system will automatically construct the optimal network environment according to the number of nodes and network conditions. It can automatically form a star-shaped, chain-shaped or daisy-shaped network according to the house type and placement position, so that the devices in the network can have excellent signal coverage and high-speed network at any position. Even if one of the nodes fails, the Mesh network will automatically rebuild the optimal network environment.
This is also not possible in the wireless relay mode. The network topology of the wireless relay is fixed and is defined at the beginning of the user setup. The entire network cannot be guaranteed to be optimal. After a station is offline, all nodes after this node may be paralyzed and cannot be automatically repaired.
- The Mesh system can intelligently navigate and roam seamlessly
The Mesh system is a whole. It will automatically guide the device to a better node route for the entire network based on signal strength, network interference and load conditions. There is no roaming in the whole process, and there will be no freezing while playing games or video calls while walking.
In the wireless relay system, several routers do not know each other’s status and cannot actively guide the device to connect to a better node. It is impossible to roam seamlessly between several routers. When the device is connected from the main router to the relay router, the connection will be obviously dropped, resulting in a smooth experience of online games and videos.
What are features of Mesh?
- Configure automatic synchronization
Configuring the entire network is as simple as configuring a single one. After you configure the master node information, the configuration will be automatically synchronized to other node routers in the entire network.
- Support wired + wireless hybrid networking
Some family study rooms have reserved cable outlets, but not in the bedrooms. Mesh can be connected via wired in a room with a network cable, and at the same time in a room without a network cable, continue to use the wireless way to expand the Mesh, so that wired and wireless can be mixed, so that every room has a good signal.
- The nodes in the Mesh system will automatically select the best superior node
When a single new node is added to the Mesh network, it will automatically connect to the best uplink node in the network.
- Network self-repair
When a node disconnects the Mesh network, other nodes in the network will recheck the optimal node and automatically re-establish the connection. No need to reset by the user.
- Seamless roaming
The Mesh system uses the 802.11k/v protocol. When the mobile phone moves between 2 Mesh routers, the Mesh system will automatically guide the mobile phone to connect to it according to the comprehensive factors such as signal strength, line load, and port occupancy Routes to nodes with better signals and lower load. During the whole process, the user is completely unaware, and the device can roam seamlessly between multiple routers, even if it is playing games or video calls, it will not feel stuck.
- Navigation between spectrums
When the signal becomes poor, the Mesh system will actively navigate the device from a frequency band with a poor signal to a frequency band with a good signal according to the signal strength and frequency interference. For example, when there are too many devices on 5G and the traffic is too large and the channel is congested, the Mesh system will navigate the device to the 2.4G frequency band to ensure that its signal and communication are normal. When the 5G signal is restored, it will automatically navigate back to the faster 5G. Frequency band.
What is the Best Mesh WiFi?
I think there are not the best mesh WiFi, but better one. Here I can recommend some models.
- TP-Link Deco WiFi 6 AX3000 Whole-Home Mesh WiFi System (Deco X60)
The TP-Link Deco X60 can provide incredible Wi-Fi 6 speed & coverage. It can connect up to 150 devices. Providing WiFi 6, it can give you very fast WiFi speed at your home.
>>>Check the Price of Tp-link Deco X60.
- Ubiquiti UniFi Mesh Outdoor Dual-Band Enterprise Access Point (UAP-AC-M)
High-performance, outdoor, 2×2 MIMO, 802.11AC dual-band access point. Expand your Wi-Fi network outdoors with the Ubiquiti UniFi AC Mesh Access Point, part of the Ubiquiti Networks UniFi Enterprise Wi-Fi System. The UAP-AC-M is a high-performance, outdoor, 2×2 MIMO, 802.11AC dual-band access point, capable of speeds of up to 1167 Mbps. It features two RP-SMA connectors, which can be used with the included dual-band omni-directional antennas, or with an optional connectorized dual-band antenna for customized pattern shaping.
>>>Check the Price of Ubiquiti UAP-AC-M.
- Netgear Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK852)
Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 is a tri-band Wi-Fi System built with the latest and fastest Wi-Fi 6 technology to provide the ultimate smart home experience with Wi-Fi coverage and connection capacity beyond belief Keep all Wi-Fi connections strong in every room All the time with enough bandwidth for all your devices Multiple 4K/8K UHD streaming music for your Wi-Fi connected speakers Fast online game play Smart lights Wi-Fi security devices and more Dedicated quad-stream Wi-Fi 6 backhaul allows for streaming 4K or 8K videos without delay Ideal for Gigabit and Multi-Gigabit Internet speed service supporting up to 2 5Gbps download speeds Place the satellite anywhere in your home to get Gigabit speeds where you want them.
- ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi 6 System (XT8)
ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is a whole-home mesh WiFi system that combines extremely fast and stable wireless networking performance with simple configuration and elegant design with coverage up to 5 500 sq ft Featuring the latest WiFi 6 technology ZenWiFi AX takes mesh WiFi to a whole new level with dramatically improved coverage speed and stability
- Google Nest Wifi – AC2200 – Mesh WiFi System
Google Nest Wifi is the easy to set up whole-home mesh Wi-Fi system. Nest Wifi routers work together to blanket your whole home in fast, reliable Wi-Fi and eliminate buffering in every room, on every device – with coverage up to 4400 square feet.
Summary
To put it simply, the wireless network in our home cannot cover some places, but we place a router where there is a signal, and this router acts as the Mesh node of the relay, so the relay router can cover those places. Mesh networking can make it easier for us to deploy home networks.
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