Outdoor wifi / AP solutions

I recently upgraded from a ASUS wireless router that I had been using for the past 12years to a Unifi system with proper access points.

Been a huge improvement in coverage and also a huge improvement in throughput.

I had some devises that didn't quite work well on the old system, and on the new AP's the streaming performance has improved dramatically
 
I went the UniFi route and it’s working fine. It’s worth noting that the controller is probably needed once (to set it up) and then never again. So if you’re comfortable spinning up a VM/pi/HA/etc for that — then you can get away with it.

But I’m not going to tell you it’s the only good choice.
 
thewanderingpine said:
I went the UniFi route and it’s working fine. It’s worth noting that the controller is probably needed once (to set it up) and then never again. So if you’re comfortable spinning up a VM/pi/HA/etc for that — then you can get away with it.

But I’m not going to tell you it’s the only good choice.
Click to expand...
You can run Unifi AP's without having a controller.

I ran a unifi AP along with my regular ASUS router for several months before going out and getting a dream machine.
 
I'd just go back to basics and try putting an external antenna on your existing wireless device that's in your shed / mancave, if whatever you have at the moment has a TNC / SMA / whatever antenna connector, buy a 2.4/5ghz OMNI outdoor antenna and put the antenna outside and run a cable back to it, that will more than likely increase the coverage.

I think the UBNT / Unifi systems for home use are completely over the top, they're a prosumer & SMB targeted system where 90% of the features in a home environment never get used.
 
To enhance your outdoor Wi-Fi coverage, especially for accommodating more visitors and controlling pool equipment and lighting, consider the following equipment and strategies:
TP-Link EAP610 Outdoor: This Wi-Fi 6 access point is designed for outdoor use and provides robust coverage. It supports Power over Ethernet (PoE), making installation easier without needing a separate power source.TP-Link EAP650 Outdoor: Another excellent option, this model offers Wi-Fi speeds of up to 3 Gbps and is also weatherproof, ensuring durability in outdoor conditions.
Netgear Orbi Outdoor Satellite: If you already have a Netgear Orbi system, adding an outdoor satellite can significantly extend your coverage. It uses a dedicated backhaul channel to maintain high speeds even at a distance from the main router.
TP-Link Deco X50-Outdoor: This mesh system supports Wi-Fi 6 and can cover large outdoor areas, making it ideal for your backyard and pool area. It also allows for easy management through the Deco app.
TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Wi-Fi Range Extender: This extender can help boost the signal from your main router to the backyard. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi and has a strong range, making it suitable for larger areas.
If you opt for an outdoor AP, using a PoE injector can simplify installation by allowing you to run a single Ethernet cable for both power and data. This is particularly useful if the AP is located far from your main router. WLED Controllers: For controlling your pool lighting, consider using WLED controllers that can be integrated with your Wi-Fi network. This will allow you to manage lighting through your smartphone or smart home system. Ensure that the controllers are compatible with your existing Wi-Fi setup. Placement of Access Points: Position the outdoor AP under the eaves as you suggested, ensuring it has a clear line of sight to the areas where you need coverage. Avoid placing it near large metal objects or dense foliage that could obstruct the signal.
SSID Management: To prevent your devices from constantly switching between the main router and the secondary router, consider using the same SSID for both networks. This can help devices connect more seamlessly without dropping the connection.
After installation, conduct speed tests in various locations around your backyard and pool area to ensure optimal coverage. Adjust the placement of the AP or extenders as needed based on performance.
By implementing these suggestions, you should be able to significantly improve your outdoor Wi-Fi coverage, making it more reliable for your visitors and allowing for better control of your pool equipment and lighting.
 
Omada is good kit. It's what unifi used to be when they were targeting business before becoming overpriced bling central.
 
I would get whatever Omada wifi access point is suitable for outdoors and just put it at the yellow x with a cable back to your switch in the mancave. I believe all Omada access points will do roaming, but that is the keyword that you need to make sure of. Roaming will hand off from your original router in the house to the secondary unit whenever the signal strength drops below level of house AP (router in this case). KateKates suggestion definitely does roaming and when plugged in to a cable will not use up your precious wifi bandwidth on creating a mesh link back to main unit. As mentioned, mesh is a last resort, and even then I'd look at point to point solution and then a local AP before using it.
 
I have a long house, and I’ve tried using separate WAPs, but I was never overly happy with the performance I got from this set-up. ☹

I would recommend a Mesh WiFi Network. I agree that Unifi is probably the best at doing this, but their gear is not cheap. Especially as you already have a newish TP-Link Router.

I have a full indoor/outdoor TP-Link Omada Home Network, which is great, but that’s probably overkill!

I think the earlier suggestion for adding a AX3000 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Extender should probably give you what you need, while still utilizing your existing hardware.

Your TP-Link AX3000 routers can be compatible with mesh WiFi systems, but it depends on the specific model and whether it supports TP-Link's OneMesh or EasyMesh technology. Some AX3000 models are designed to work with OneMesh, allowing them to seamlessly connect with other OneMesh devices like extenders to create a whole-home mesh network. Other AX3000 routers might be compatible with EasyMesh, which is another TP-Link standard for Mesh Networking. Probably just check with TP-Link support (support.au@tp-link.com) and confirm that your model of TP-Link AX3000 Router is compatible for this purpose.

I have found the TP-Link support gives excellent service, and that is one of the main reasons I have invested so much into my home TP-Link Omada Network. 😊

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

OneMesh:

TP-Link's OneMesh is a system that allows compatible routers and range extenders to work together to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network. Some Archer AX3000 routers are specifically listed as OneMesh compatible.

EasyMesh:

EasyMesh is another standard for creating mesh networks. TP-Link also uses this standard, and some AX3000 routers might be compatible with EasyMesh.

Compatibility Check:

It's important to verify the specific model number of your AX3000 router and check the TP-Link website or documentation to see if it's listed as compatible with either OneMesh or EasyMesh.

Firmware Updates:

In some cases, firmware updates might be required to enable mesh compatibility for certain AX3000 routers.
 
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