Access Points

[MatthewL]

Can anyone recommend an AP for use at home to give good coverage of the house? It's a 3 bed semi built mid 50's so walls are all brick and solid but ok enough for wireless to work.

 

Need 1 or 2 AP's to cover the house, any recommendations? I am just sorting out the wiring plan so need to know what's what with the AP's so I can put in points where needed.

 

Thanks

[White_Fi]

Hi Matthew, it's hard to tell but for more coverage you will need a higher gain antenna.

With that said just because the AP can go a little further doesn't necessarily mean your clients will work at that new extended distance. Small radios like those round in smart phones don't really have the battery power to shout back at the AP.

 

I have Ruckus in my place (not really your average SOHO AP) but with their smart antenna system 1 covers the hole place (And to the pub if i get a seat near a certain window)

 

Two APs, however, should be more than enough. Your best bet is to do your own mini survey, looking at the RSSI and doing actual throughput tests.

[AngryTechnician]

What ISP are you on? As much as I hate to compliment anything by Virgin Media, their new 'superhub' actually has cracking wireless which would probably cover the property on its own.

[IrritableTech]

I've just popped a third Ubiquiti Unifi AP into my house. Did it need three - not really no, but I like tech. It's a tall house rather than large. I've ended up with an AP on each level.

 

Once set up you can switch off the software controller and the APs will sign and dance all on their own until you decide you want to change something.

 

I got them for about £58 each. Bargain in my mind.

[pete]

If I was buying now, I'd be looking at Ubiquiti or a Mikrotik Routerboard. We use the latter on point-point links here and they're bombproof.

[MatthewL]

Reason I posted was because I saw this mainly too.

 

I always overspec stuff, buy cheap buy twice so was looking for something semi decent.

 

I am looking at Virgin Media for ISP but holding to see what FTTx to our exchange will be as all the other surrounding ones have it and we are a big town. I would like some kind of corporate AP rather than cheap and nasty home stuff, looking at what is out there, don't want to go over the top with things.

 

If I was to get 2 of the ones I linked to can I manage them from their own interface or would these be managed?

[IrritableTech]

If I was to get 2 of the ones I linked to can I manage them from their own interface or would these be managed?

 

They are managed via a controller. The controller software can be run on a PC, and doesn't need to run the whole time. Once you've set up the wireless SSID you can switch the controller software off.

[MatthewL]

I presume software will be provided with said AP?

[IrritableTech]

I presume software will be provided with said AP?

 

Download the latest version from http://www.ubnt.com

[Chris_]

I use Ubiquiti equipment at work and love it. I think it's a little overkill for my home though.

 

I use one of these access points, great coverage and very reliable. TP-LINK TL-WA901ND Wireless-N PoE Access Point (300Mbps)

[MatthewL]

Question answered I think, will get one at end of month I think, Ubiquiti seem to be recommended then, lets see how it goes.