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Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:24 pm
by LaurenRichmond
Can anyone tell me what the Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?
I have gigabit fiber but am barely getting a signal on the second floor of my old Berkeley home with the supplied router.
I have a cat6 Ethernet cable to the second location I would like to connect the second device via wired connection instead of a mesh network.

Re: Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:55 pm
by dane
I’ve got a similar situation in my home, which has lath and plaster walls. And I’ve been using Sonic’s new mesh WiFi solution since the start of our testing, and it’s been really awesome.

http://sonic.com/betterwifi

For fiber customers in particular, this is a really low cost solution. You can trade in the current router you’ve got and upgrade to a two unit WiFi mesh starter kit for only $2.50/mo. If you want more units for more coverage, they start at just $4/mo each.

Re: Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 2:21 pm
by timyu94
Tp Link eap 225v3/245v3 or the ubiquiti ac lite/pro/nano HD are high performing low to moderately costs wireless access points. Highly renowned and reliable and perfect for your usage since you have an ethernet cable ready for it.

Re: Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:57 pm
by dane
Sorry, I was reading from my phone and missed that you've got Ethernet. In that case, consider Sonic's mesh solution but with the wired units instead of the wireless ones. You can mix and match any configuration via our member tools, give it a look:

https://members.sonic.net/equipment/order

I just spent a minute with the tool to see how you'd configure this, and it's a bit wonky. The "minimum" order is one of the starter kits, but none are simply two wired units. But, just add any starter kit, then add two wired units ala carte, then remove the starter kit - as long as you've got two units and at least one of them is a base unit, it's satisfied.

(And I'll talk to team about making the cart behavior allow for this.)

-Dane

Re: Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 6:46 am
by js9erfan
I would disable WiFi on your router and go with a pair of UniFi AP AC Lites - one near your router and the other upstairs: https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Network ... B016K4GQVG

They support PoE for better mounting flexibility and come with injectors if you don't have a PoE capable switch.

I have 2 of the UniFi LR APs and am very happy with them. You configure them easily with UniFi's Controller software from your phone, PC or a Cloud Key. Stay away from 'wireless extenders' since they're normally useless...

If you want the best bang for your buck without rental fees, consumer grade equipment limitations, etc., these would be the direction I would go.

Re: Best router or access point to run in bridge mode for second floor of old plaster walled house?

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:58 pm
by digitalbitstream
Really any AP will work. If you've got a hard wire to the area with trouble, just set it up on a different channel (1,6 or 11).
You'll do better in a lathe & plaster house with 2.4Ghz, compared to 5Ghz.

If you have a TV or media station, consider running cat5 cable to it, for better results.