Extend Home WiFi

ABDurbs

ABDurbs

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Joined
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Location
Durban North
We currently have a Microtik hAP ac² router supplied by VOX for our 100/100mbps FTTH.

At the moment I have 2 x TP Link range extenders which provide good wifi coverage downstairs, but I need coverage in our outside "grannyflat" which is about 15mt line of sight from our current router. If a person stands outside the flat there is adequate signal for a Whatsapp call, but nothing once they go inside.

What is the most economical way to provide an acceptable wifi signal in the flat, suitable for Whatsapp and non HD streaming?

New router, mesh system ?

Thanks
 
backstreetboy said:
According to @Dolby you should lay an ethernet cable.
Click to expand...
He's not wrong. Although I would lay fibre to be safe.

As for your question, @ABDurbs, if you're not keen on laying an Ethernet cable to the granny flat, two access points for a point-to-point link should do the trick. If you're going the MikroTik route, should come in at less than R3500.
 
I'd recommend a mesh system if it's within your budget.

I have these:
www.incredible.co.za

TP-Link Deco S4 WIFI Mesh System

Wi-Fi dead zone killer No more buffering Seamless roaming Parental control Simple Wi-Fi control Wi-Fi in every corner of your home 2 Years Warranty
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za

And can testify to their ability.

These should do as well:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

But I'm not sure about these:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

Some reviews on there suggest there's a speed limit but I'm not too sure whether the issue was with them or the routers though.
 
Gudnews said:
These should do as well:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

But I'm not sure about these:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

Some reviews on there suggest there's a speed limit but I'm not too sure whether the issue was with them or the routers though.
Click to expand...
The E4s have 100Mb/s Ethernet, otherwise they're pretty much the same as the M4.
 
ABDurbs said:
We currently have a Microtik hAP ac² router supplied by VOX for our 100/100mbps FTTH.

At the moment I have 2 x TP Link range extenders which provide good wifi coverage downstairs, but I need coverage in our outside "grannyflat" which is about 15mt line of sight from our current router. If a person stands outside the flat there is adequate signal for a Whatsapp call, but nothing once they go inside.

What is the most economical way to provide an acceptable wifi signal in the flat, suitable for Whatsapp and non HD streaming?

New router, mesh system ?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Not sure if it needed for a family member or someone renting so no idea what you are willing to spend.

Have you asked your FTTH supplier about extending the fibre to granny flat? 2 years ago, Metrofibre quoted me 1800 to move ONT device & router from one room to other room. In your case, it would be additional ONT & router I suppose.
 
Lupus said:
I have ethernet cable as backbone to my mesh routers, ethernet to my pcs, consoles and TVs, wifi is for tablets and whatnots
Click to expand...
Same ... the concept of mesh is not new, just renamed to mesh recently. LOL. BUT, you still have too much interference in certain installations when you rely on "Meshing" over Wifi ... LAN Cable will always be the better solution
 
String up a supporting galvanised cable between the two houses with rawl bolts and tensioners. Then you can run an ethernet cable over the cable and cable tie it (it mustn't be longer than 100 meters total length).
Feed the ethernet cable into the roof between the eaves. You can get exterior ethernet cable that is protected against the weather and sun from Scoop.co.za.
I'll take a photo of my setup tonight, it's very neat.
 
dj_jyno said:
He's not wrong. Although I would lay fibre to be safe.

As for your question, @ABDurbs, if you're not keen on laying an Ethernet cable to the granny flat, two access points for a point-to-point link should do the trick. If you're going the MikroTik route, should come in at less than R3500.
Click to expand...
Safe for what?
 
LazyLion said:
String up a supporting galvanised cable between the two houses with rawl bolts and tensioners. Then you can run an ethernet cable over the cable and cable tie it (it mustn't be longer than 100 meters total length).
Feed the ethernet cable into the roof between the eaves. You can get exterior ethernet cable that is protected against the weather and sun from Scoop.co.za.
I'll take a photo of my setup tonight, it's very neat.
Click to expand...
Either this or trenching and pvc pipe with cable inside. And always 2 cables for redundancy when going underground.
When using galvanized cable remember to loop the ethernet cable either end for safety slack. When the wind moves that cable you will need it.
 
Lupus said:
I have ethernet cable as backbone to my mesh routers, ethernet to my pcs, consoles and TVs, wifi is for tablets and whatnots
Click to expand...

i have the same set up

but lately my wifi been dropping on my phone and laptop

it will just disconnect and reconnect

is this a router issue ?

i have about 4 phones and 2 laptops connected via wifi ..rest of house via cable
 
I.am.Sam said:
i have the same set up

but lately my wifi been dropping on my phone and laptop

it will just disconnect and reconnect

is this a router issue ?

i have about 4 phones and 2 laptops connected via wifi ..rest of house via cable
Click to expand...
Could be, but lately mine is because the router is restarting to trying to connect to WAN, as the WAN has been disconnecting a lot in the last few months.
 
Step 1 get a three pack of deco mesh routers
Step 2 place decos inside cottage and house
Step 3 if throughput isn't great install ethernet backhaul between flat and house deco
Step 4 throw all range extenders in dustbin and disable wifi on Microtik
 
surface said:
Not sure if it needed for a family member or someone renting so no idea what you are willing to spend.

Have you asked your FTTH supplier about extending the fibre to granny flat? 2 years ago, Metrofibre quoted me 1800 to move ONT device & router from one room to other room. In your case, it would be additional ONT & router I suppose.
Click to expand...
Worth asking, but I think it will be expensive considering where the exisiting box is.
 
LazyLion said:
String up a supporting galvanised cable between the two houses with rawl bolts and tensioners. Then you can run an ethernet cable over the cable and cable tie it (it mustn't be longer than 100 meters total length).
Feed the ethernet cable into the roof between the eaves. You can get exterior ethernet cable that is protected against the weather and sun from Scoop.co.za.
I'll take a photo of my setup tonight, it's very neat.
Click to expand...
Yes agree this is the best option, as lifitng paving and digging a trench is just too expensive. Than ks will get a quote.
 
Ϲhristopher said:
The E4s have 100Mb/s Ethernet, otherwise they're pretty much the same as the M4.
Click to expand...
Yes indeed, I hadn't realised that. Some reviews mentioned that on Takealot but the most prominent one has an issue with the wireless only giving him 25Mb. I'm pretty sure it was a him problem but due to the prominence of his review, you'd swear the issue lies with the E4s.
 
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