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What is a good meh system for Cord cutters but still need Eathernet ports for Ooma, alarm, etc ?????HELP

401 280 May 19, 2024 at 03:22 PM
HELLO everyone and I need help. OK IM converting my parents over from legacy ways of getting services to streaming. So now they will have 4 tv's that will stream " cable"( directv stream) plus they each have a phone, have 1 tablet and 1 laptop and a desktop, alarm system and a OOMA home phone now and then when visitors are over they have their phones. So what Im trying to decide is should I go with this mesh system or is it way overkill? I can tell you they currently have a 10 year old netgear 2.5/5 ghz router in the middle of their 1600 sq ft ranch and on the edges of their house streaming youtube lags. So Im thinking mesh would be better/ more coverage for all the new streaming tv services they will use? IN any case I could use an existing cat 6 to do a wired backhaul between the nodes. I was looking at the ASUS ZenWiFi xd6 but do any of you have other ideas/ suggestions? Im all ears THANKS!
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Joined Sep 2017
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> bubble2 834 Posts
ChinaRider
05-19-2024 at 04:46 PM.
05-19-2024 at 04:46 PM.
You shouldn't need a mesh system for 1600 sq. ft. That said, if you do buy one it should help expand coverage.

Personally, I would figure out why the current system isn't meeting your needs. I have roughly the same square footage per floor, times three (2nd floor & basement) and my older router covers not only the house but also all of the yard and then some.

What is your current router model?
What is the ISP service (upload / download speeds, fiber / cable, etc.)?

If this is to be their main setup now I would highly suggest you proceed with wired connections as much as you can, there's no substitute for a wired connection, especially for something as demanding as streaming TV.
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Joined Dec 2008
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> bubble2 7,279 Posts
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jkee
05-19-2024 at 07:21 PM.
05-19-2024 at 07:21 PM.
It's likely you'll have to add a wired switch to many mesh systems to expand the Ethernet ports available.

If you have wired backhaul, you don't really need a "mesh" system, just a couple of access points or routers configured to act as access points. Wired backhaul opens the door to some cheaper options as you don't need to pay a premium for a tri-band mesh system.
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Joined May 2005
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> bubble2 401 Posts
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Adam101
05-20-2024 at 11:48 AM.
05-20-2024 at 11:48 AM.
Thanks all their Comcast is 500/100 i believe though the upload doesn't matter for them. Their router currently is centrally located in the middle of the floor/house( ranch). I cant remember what exact model router it is but its Old prob 10 years old Im just trying to make everything as foolproof as possible. I can have a wired backhaul to the middle of the house where a second router/ ap can live and their main TV lives below that so I can plug in via ethernet that TV box, the other 3 would remain wireless. I was thinking I could get them this. The one main router could live next to the modem and also Id plug in the alarm system/ OOMa into the Ports on the back then " backhaul the other to the other side of the house to offer more coverage and also Wire up their main TV box to the ethernet on it as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B8XN...a0INT&th=1
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,457 Posts
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komondor
05-20-2024 at 01:04 PM.
05-20-2024 at 01:04 PM.
You can just put a 5-10 port switch onto the ethernet port of the mesh system. Mesh with a cabled backhaul is the perfect situation. I would replace a 10 yr old system just based on the age of the system. I currently have an Orbi mesh system with 2 other routers and the Mesh provides better coverage in any area that is not really close to the other 2 routers.
I have a 16 port switch, a 24 port switch and a 6 port switch all coming off of a router. They all work fine I even have 2 Ooma phones on the network.
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Joined May 2005
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> bubble2 401 Posts
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Original Poster
Adam101
05-20-2024 at 02:48 PM.
05-20-2024 at 02:48 PM.
thanks for the Info Komondor. Do you think the above one I linked is a decent bet for their situation or overkill? they will never need to worry about file transfers between things on the network etc or streaming from plex etc etc. the one above I kind of line in that it has enough ethernet ports + extra already built in so if they have trouble with things it will be easier to troubleshoot as they are older.
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,457 Posts
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komondor
05-21-2024 at 06:07 AM.
05-21-2024 at 06:07 AM.
They would work fine, if the price is not an issue then they will be fine, I would say to stay away from TP-Link, as well as the Velop line. The router should last for quite a few years, if you need a switch any name brand small switch will work fine if they need more ports.

Make sure they have the router set for automatic updates and update them as soon as you start to set them up. Use the same SSID as the old system uses so no devices need to be set up again they should just start to use the new router. You can keep the router using the same SSID for all the bands as long as you do not have any issues with older 2.4 only devices.

My Orbi system has no issues connecting 2.4 only devices like smart lights or switches, so you should be fine too.
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Joined Jun 2005
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
> bubble2 8,457 Posts
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komondor
05-21-2024 at 03:11 PM.
05-21-2024 at 03:11 PM.
If you wanted to possible save some $$ you could buy 2 of these
https://slickdeals.net/f/17502450-linksys-hydra-pro-6e-mr7500-tri-band-axe6600-mesh-wifi-6e-router-99-99?src=SiteSearch

When it was new it was very pricy and I have had this for quite a few years, I was a beta tester for for the router and it worked and has worked really well setting up 2 with one in bridged mode will give you all the ports you need.
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Joined May 2005
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> bubble2 401 Posts
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Original Poster
Adam101
05-21-2024 at 06:31 PM.
05-21-2024 at 06:31 PM.
ok great thanks for the input on all this.
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