Whole Home / Mesh Wifi

A new generation of smart WiFi systems automate and optimize home networking, especially in larger spaces with heavy network traffic. Learn if a smart WiFi router and wireless access points make sense for your bandwidth and budget needs, and find out whether new technology like 801.11ac, MU-MIMO, and beamforming are worth it for your home network.

The ISP connection and modem is the brawn

A fast connection starts with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) line to your home. Know that a home network is never faster than the Cable, DSL, or Fiber connection you get from the ISP. Cable and DSL connections range from 25-50 MB/s rates for consumer connections. If you’re lucky enough to live where fiber is available, you may see rates upwards of 300 MB/s.

A modem converts the ISP signal into to digital bandwidth that other network components use to communicate with each other. Usually consumers rent modems from the ISP at a monthly rate, and you can save money about a year after you buy a modem on the consumer market. ISPs publish lists of compatible modems on their websites--use this as a reference to buy a modem for yourself.

The WiFi router is the brain

From the modem, the router distributes the signal to different endpoints on the home network. Today, all routers are WiFi routers that combine Ethernet connectivity (LAN ports) with a built in wireless access point (WAP). The wireless access point broadcasts a wireless network connection to endpoints on the home network.

New routers using the latest IEEE 802.11ac specifications, MU-MIMO antenna technology, that are capable of focusing in a wireless signal on specific endpoints--a process called beamforming--make a home network more dynamic and flexible when there are a lot of endpoints accessing the network in a larger home or office.

2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz are the bands

Dual band WiFi routers send out signals across two separate bands (also called spectrums) of radio frequency: one is centered at 2.4 GHz and the other at 5 GHz.

The 2.4 GHz band is used by all sorts of remote control devices--garage door openers, TV remotes, baby monitors, police scanners, et cetera--so it tends to be noisier. Network congestion impedes the connection and access feels slow. Newer laptops, phones, and tablets are built to communicate at the 5 Ghz wavelength to avoid the congestion.

The physically larger 5 GHz wavelength yields a faster data transfer, but the 2.4 GHz spectrum does have advantages. The 5 GHz band has a shorter range in open space, and has a harder time penetrating solid walls, metal doors, water pipes, heaters and aquariums—and is more susceptible to interference from electronic appliances.

Premium-quality Tri-band WiFi routers give users a 2.4 GHz channel and two 5 Ghz channels. A tri-band is advantageous when there are upwards of 15-20 endpoints vying for bandwidth on the WLAN and performance is critical for the end users. The extra 5 Ghz band is like adding a lane on a congested freeway helping everything move along.

First let’s manage expectations. A wired Ethernet connection is faster and more reliable than a WiFi signal--at least for now. So wherever performance is a priority and the endpoint is stationary—desktop PCs, network media players, high-definition smart TVs--running networking cable to these components is recommended for best performance.

Of course, tablets, smartphones, home automation sensors, and other devices that talk only over WiFi do not give that luxury. These devices are growing in number in smart WiFi networks. The average home network has eight wirelessly networked devices according to IDC, and that number undoubtedly is on the rise. In short, prepare to address network congestion with new networking components with smart WiFi automation.

WiFi router myths

Understand that performance is affected most by physical space it occupies. Where you set up the equipment at your house, and the number and nature of the endpoints on the network determine whether your connection feels fast at the endpoints. Plan and test your WiFi coverage by making a simple WiFi heat map on your PC or mobile device.

The very concept of a ‘fast WiFi router’ is somewhat mythical. That is not to say one wireless router will not outperform a similar model on the same network. The issue is networks tend to be unique unto themselves, and there are dozens of other things that affect wireless performance far more than hardware brand. This renders SKU to SKU speed comparisons rather nebulous for real-world use; still vendors love to brag about their blazing fast smart WiFi routers.

Data rate (MB/s) is half metric, half marketing

Router performance is often tied to the data rate--also called the data signaling rate (DSR) or gross bit rate--depending on which vendor is talking. Data rate is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Remember: No matter how fast a WiFi router claims to be, it will never “boost” a slow ISP connection. Important: The MB/s rating on the box is the maximum allowable data rate based on theoretical calculations. The actual data rate you will get depends on variables like home size and layout, network congestion, and other factors outlined below.

Current IEEE standards are 802.11ac and 802.11n

WiFi routers send and receive wireless data based on specifications set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Every few years, IEEE issues new wireless standards, taking into account technological advances that make networking hardware faster and stronger. Most routers sold today list performance specifications on the last two IEEE standards, 802.11ac and the older 802.11n.

How fast is 802.11ac? Theoretically, 802.11ac packs four times as many data streams into a 5 Ghz space than the previous generation. This gives 802.11ac routers the theoretical potential for a 7 Gbps WLAN. In reality that number is from outer space.

802.11ac networks do not yet reach 1 Gbps when put to the bench—especially if the LAN is cabled with twisted pair Cat5e and Cat6. However, it is a commonly held belief that 802.11ac equipment will outpace Ethernet within five years.

All IEEE standards are backwards compatible, which means that older endpoints will continue to work with new networking gear.

MIMO means multiple WiFi antennae

The more antennae a router or access point has, the better it is for dealing with a crowded network.

In 2009, IEEE 802.11n standardized multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless networking, which greatly increased endpoint capacity for WiFi routers. Older wireless routers and access points had a single antenna that was quickly bogged down after a handful of users joined the network. MIMO enabled deploying multiple antennas on one WAP, which helps it which sort and compartmentalize endpoints, handle more volume, and feel faster for end users.

MIMO antennae can be outside of the WiFi router or WAP chassis, or housed inside. The number of WiFi router antennas are specified on the networking product pages.

MU-MIMO further optimizes antennae

One of newest technologies on the consumer market, MU-MIMO stands for multi-user multiple-input multiple-output, and is a refinement to how WAP antennae communicate with multiple endpoints. In short, it’s an efficiency proposition--a MU-MIMO-capable smart WiFi router can coordinate the same network traffic with four antennae instead of six, eight, or more radios found on MIMO routers.

Additionally, MU-MIMO WiFi routers with beamforming capability give users added control over allocation of the wireless signal, allowing automated dynamic prioritization (stream focus) for specified endpoints in set circumstances.

If a home is larger than 1,250 square feet or has two floors or more, the wireless connection will not reach the entire house. There are several components that extend the wireless range beyond the limits of a single WiFi router.

Smart WiFi Networks

Known as smart Wifi, the latest home network solutions bundle together a WiFi router and packs of two or three range extenders. The system is designed to automate and optimize a wireless signal in a larger home. Placed strategically, the components create something similar to the mesh network design found in commercial-grade WLAN setups, wherein multiple access points share a service set identifier (SSID) and users are connected to the same network no matter where they are in the building.

The cool part is you can walk from one end of your home to the other streaming data on your device, pulling data from the from the nearest range extender, without having to change networks. The firmware in the smart networking components automates this for the user, and allows for manual fine-tuning of bandwidth allocation via mobile app or web browser.

Traditional WiFi Options

If overhauling your network with smart WiFi isn’t for you, there are other options for extending a wireless signal in a more piecemeal fashion:

• Power over Ethernet (PoE) Wireless Access Points
• Traditional Range Extenders
• Powerline Adapters

Bundled smart WiFi solutions are latest trend in home networking. It contains a MU-MIMO-capable 802.11ac WiFi router with one, two, or three range extenders, which can be monitored and configured on a smartphone or browser. Choosing an app that suits your UI preferences should be a top consideration when you buy smart networking components.

Linksys MAX-STREAM

Linksys MAX-STREAM system comes with a dual-band 801.11ac WiFi router and one or two RE7000 range extenders. The entry level package features the AC1900 router model; the mid-range features the AC2600; and the high-end comes with the AC5400 tri-band router. The Linksys smart WiFi app gives guests access to the home network via text. The app configures parental controls for safe browsing, and can monitor and prioritize bandwidth usage throughout the home.

Ubiquiti AmpliFi

Known for its commercial grade networking products, Ubiquiti AmpliFi marks its foray into the home network space. The AmpliFi system features an 802.11AC router and multiple self-configuring range extenders. The AmpliFI HD is built for high density systems with a router and two range extenders, called wireless mesh points by the vendor. An attractive LCD display on the chassis monitors network throughput.

NETGEAR Orbi

Orbi RBK50, the NETGEAR smart WiFi system, comes with a high-performance tri-band router and a powerhouse range extender can cover a home of 4000 square feet with 802.11ac coverage. The satellite unit comes with four additional LAN ports for additional Ethernet connectivity.

Eero

Eero wireless access points offer a router-less approach to WLAN. Sold in packs of three APs, install the mother unit near the modem and connect via Ethernet cable. Plug the other two satellite APs in a wall socket within 40 feet of the mother unit. This gives a moderate-to-large home a single SSID network with smart switchover when carrying a connected device throughout the home. Each AP has LAN ports; the AP next to the modem will offer great data rates for a LAN connection.