Ubiquiti UniFi - Please Help

Ecco

Ecco

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Hi All,
Okay, need some help from the learned folk on this forum.

In certain parts of my house, data transfer speeds on my wifi network is really bad, due to low signal strength. The router is in the middle of the house and the rooms where the signal is bad are two opposite ends of the hours. For now i am willing to just sort out one end of the house.

I use a TP Link TL-WDR4300 router and predominantly connect on the 2.4Ghz band (channel 2).

I bought a Linksys range extender and its giving issues now, so i am rethinking my approach here.

Can anybody share their thoughts on using Ubiquiti UniFi to solve my problem?
 
If i can share some specific questions that i need some details on:

1. I presume the Unifi device can run side by side with my TP Link TL-WDR4300, there will be areas where the signal from both will overlap
2. I believe the Unifi product ships with Power over Ethernet devices included - does this mean there are two units, one where my router is connected into the device and one where i eventually place the Unifi device?
3. What is the range of these devices?
 
You'd need to cable at least one ap into the main router. If memory serves the new firmware allows up to 4 units to extend one unifi that is cabled wirelessly

The AC and LR variants have quite good signal in my personal experience
 
UniFi Could work on your house setup.

Its a great system and allows multi AP control for little cost.
However, as PsyWulf mentioned, you'd need to cable the first AP...
 
To cover a few of your questions.
* Yes you can mix APs, but ultimately you'll want to deploy it all as UniFi so you can have a single SSID and roam between APs seamlessly.
* In a mix state set the channels so they don't overlap and stick fo 20Mhz channles. See pic
channels.png
* Range will vary depending on placement, the materials your house is constructed from and noise from other neighbouring APs. The UniFi controller software can give you an estimate of coverage if you import an accurately scaled map.
* I would run a single cable to each AP. Some models can be daisy chained, but I wouldn't advise it.
* Cabling: AP -> Cable -> PoE -> Cable -> Router.
 
PsyWulf said:
You'd need to cable at least one ap into the main router. If memory serves the new firmware allows up to 4 units to extend one unifi that is cabled wirelessly

The AC and LR variants have quite good signal in my personal experience
Click to expand...

I wont be able to run a cable to where i want to place the unit. in which case,like bokka1, can i put it right next to my current router?
 
Clarotech said:
To cover a few of your questions.
* Yes you can mix APs, but ultimately you'll want to deploy it all as UniFi so you can have a single SSID and roam between APs seamlessly.
* In a mix state set the channels so they don't overlap and stick fo 20Mhz channles. See pic
View attachment 190143
* Range will vary depending on placement, the materials your house is constructed from and noise from other neighbouring APs. The UniFi controller software can give you an estimate of coverage if you import an accurately scaled map.
* I would run a single cable to each AP. Some models can be daisy chained, but I wouldn't advise it.
* Cabling: AP -> Cable -> PoE -> Cable -> Router.
Click to expand...

Oh boy, this is bit complicated for a relative noob like myself.

Regarding cabling this device - so i need to run a cable from my current router to the Unifi device directly? Whats the PoE thing for?
 
Ecco said:
Oh boy, this is bit complicated for a relative noob like myself.

Regarding cabling this device - so i need to run a cable from my current router to the Unifi device directly? Whats the PoE thing for?
Click to expand...

To inject power to the unit over the ethernet cable rather than using a seperate power brick
 
Ecco said:
Oh boy, this is bit complicated for a relative noob like myself.

Regarding cabling this device - so i need to run a cable from my current router to the Unifi device directly? Whats the PoE thing for?
Click to expand...

PoE = Power over Ethernet, supplies power to the AP without the need to plug in an extra power cable to the device.
 
Can i buy a different PoE adaptors to provide the lan link up to the Unifi device.

Eg i buy a TP link PoE adaptors - place it next to my router. Place the second Tp Link PoE adaptor where i want to plane the Unifi device and run a Lan cable to the Unifi device?
 
I think i am mixing up PoE with the powerline adaptors
 
Ecco said:
I wont be able to run a cable to where i want to place the unit. in which case,like bokka1, can i put it right next to my current router?
Click to expand...

Yep, you could... But I would then advise that you turn off the Wi-Fi on your router to advoid confusion/interference/etc.
 
ch@rge said:
Yep, you could... But I would then advise that you turn off the Wi-Fi on your router to advoid confusion/interference/etc.
Click to expand...

How far will the range be then? I have a normal brick and mortar house that is about 400 sq meters in size.
 
bokka1 said:
How far will the range be then? I have a normal brick and mortar house that is about 400 sq meters in size.
Click to expand...

Thats the tricky part - the range. But it should be better then your standard routers range. But we still missing a trick by not being able to run a cable and placing the Unifi device further away from the router.
 
Ecco said:
Oh boy, this is bit complicated for a relative noob like myself.

Regarding cabling this device - so i need to run a cable from my current router to the Unifi device directly? Whats the PoE thing for?
Click to expand...

HEHE.

If you want the best possible coverage then the AP needs to be where you want coverage, so get into the roof and run that cable to where you want to mount the AP.

Ecco said:
Can i buy a different PoE adaptors to provide the lan link up to the Unifi device.

Eg i buy a TP link PoE adaptors - place it next to my router. Place the second Tp Link PoE adaptor where i want to plane the Unifi device and run a Lan cable to the Unifi device?
Click to expand...

The UniFi AP comes with a PoE adapter in the box. The PoE adapter can live next to your router. It doesn't have to be right next to the AP.
 
Clarotech said:
HEHE.

If you want the best possible coverage then the AP needs to be where you want coverage, so get into the roof and run that cable to where you want to mount the AP.



The UniFi AP comes with a PoE adapter in the box. The PoE adapter can live next to your router. It doesn't have to be right next to the AP.
Click to expand...

Thanks for some of your feedback. Issue with roof is its a concrete ceiling, cant get cables in or on top.

I was wondering if i can use the powerline adaptors to get a lan cable further away from my router (although my house is on different phase - i will need to get around that)?

Any thoughts on that?
 
Ecco said:
Thanks for some of your feedback. Issue with roof is its a concrete ceiling, cant get cables in or on top.

I was wondering if i can use the powerline adaptors to get a lan cable further away from my router (although my house is on different phase - i will need to get around that)?

Any thoughts on that?
Click to expand...

You can stick the cable in trunking. Won't be pretty, but doable.

Powerline: Nothing to loose by trying it. You would have to inject the PoE on the AP side of the Ethernet over Power connector.
So: AP -> PoE -> EoP -> magic -> EoP -> Router

I see TP-Link have EoP adapters with Wifi. That may be worth a go.
http://www.tp-link.co.za/products/details/?categoryid=2244&model=TL-WPA4230P+KIT
 
Last edited:
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