Orbi RBK53 vs BT Whole Home (3 disc)

mickevh

Some of the so-called "mesh" systems aimed at the SOHO market are including features that used to be the preserve of "managed" enterprise systems such as a single management platform (often an app,) cooperation between the AP's to assist roaming hand off, steering of client between AP's, radio channel planning, common authentication mechanisms, etc. etc. - readers would need to check the spec. of their kit to see exactly what.

This is potentially beneficial whether the backhaul from the AP's to the rest of the (wired) network is achieved over ethernet or radio links and however the physical topology works out.

mickevh

This always has been and still is the best way to achieve Wi-Fi coverage. Lot's of AP's close to where one uses the clients with wired backhauls.

When we build large scale systems on big sites, we put up up hundreds of AP's and often have to install loads of additional cabling, switches, power supplies, etc. ('cos there's rarely any cabling in situ where the AP's need to go.) It is sometimes a surprise to clients just how much the extra infrastructure for the backhauls bumps up the costs over and above the cost of the AP's.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Agreed, I must admit that I'm very disappointed with the features provided by the Orbi Pro range. It doesn't do any of the kind of things that you mentioned above. I haven't got experience with Ubiquity in the SOHO market to be honest. But I do have with Aruba in the enterprise market (as an example) and that is on a totally different level.

Perhaps what something like Orbi does  over the cheaper ones, I must try it, is that when using a wired backhaul it doesn't turn the WiFi mesh into an WAP. That is the only drawback when using something as cheap as Tenda MW3. But then again when you can buy 5 Mesh Points for just £130'ish then you can just add more to your network

Bl4ckGryph0n

Large campus enterprise yes. A home, I don't agree.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Naturally when there is no WiFi penetration through the walls then that is the only option My point was more about why a Mesh version when one doesn't actually use the Mesh....I hope that clarifies it.

rid1

Thanks all for the detailed responses. Only just saw them - don’t know why I didn’t get notifications for them. I went with the Orbi in end. I used to have separate AP connected via the powerlines but these each had their own SSID. Having to switch between them manually was a pain.

Performance with the Orbi is great. But I do appreciate your point about there being cheaper alternatives. Wasn’t aware of the Tenda tbh. What’s their mesh offering?