@JSchnee21 When you try the mesh setup you will lose 50% data throughput and so many drops for sure.  I NEVER use it at all opn all my business and residential networks...been in the IT network business for 30 years and I ALWAYS run cables to get the 100% and solid WIFI when needed with AP's.  I REALLY wish they would get rid of the mesh idea...would make my life much much better....but it will never happen.....
 

Good luck!

Thanks @Doc2485,

I totally agree -- and that would have been my preference, too.  But I'm lazy and don't feel like trenching my yard for the couple times a month my wife uses the Wifi outside to host a Zoom meeting for a "virtual" Cub Scout campfire (-:  I also have one of my MOCA connected indoor AP's configured to fall back to MESH in the event the MOCA flakes out, which happens once or twice a year.

I've been trying to keep an open mind about the EAP225 MESH -- so as not to band mouth the vendor's forum I chat on a lot -- and because it gets a lot of (misplaced) interest -- in some user populations.

Home users also typically get confused because MESH is so aggressively marketed as a "better" wifi solution -- without any understanding of whether or not it is really "better."  In most cases, it is just more convenient.  Though some higher end home MESH solutions (with tri- band, 4x4 radios) -- Orbi I'm looking at you -- it can be better than their current, single, "big a$$ router" solution.  Though, of course, still not as good as multiple Ethernet connected AP's.

Without a doubt, Ethernet connected AP's are definately the way to go, if at all practical.  Even if not practical, it's worth the added effort and investment.  This is why they are used for all corporate deployments.

-Jonathan

@JSchnee21 That is why they are pushing hard no the mesh concept...... because when they say you have to run a cable....80% of people in USA are lazy now and would never buy it!!!!! 

Here is your tool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpiIswHesL8

That said, I'd love to see TP-Link come out with a tri-band 6E solution, ideally with a commercial chipset.  Given the greenfield nature of this band, and a dedicated 3x3 or 4x4 backhaul radio, this could be a really strong contendor for the Power User / SOHO market. 

Netgear makes such crappy software, and all of the residential MESH solutions have grossly simplied user interfaces, so I could never consider one for myself.  But I have to admit, having spare Ethernet jacks on each of the MESH nodes -- for PC's, Media Centers, etc. is genius.

Regardless, what I'm trying to say, is that I like TP-Link, and I want / am hopeful that the 225 and future MESH options (245, 620, 660) can / will / should work better.  BUT, it may not be physically / technologically possible.

-Jonathan

@JSchnee21 One big router will NEVER give you the WIFI that AP's will.  I have been with Unifi hardware for over 15 years and I have 100's of AP's out there running solid and all wired and all using POE switches.  Modem>>>router>>>switches>>>> many AP's

I have alot of networks running this exact setup.  I have many also using PTP and PTMP radios for long distances and YES they are solid too.

Hi @shberge,

Good suggestion.  Yes I'll try this the next time I unpackage the injector from its weather proof cocoon.  This would all but prove the two hop penalty/overhead -- STA to Outdoor, Outdoor to Root Node.

Gosh, I cannot imagine how bad it would be if I had 3 hops.  I guess I'd get maybe 50-70 Mbit/sec.

keeping in mind this is with one single active client.  I cannot imagine this working well at all with even 5 or 10 concurrently active users.  I guess it would work if connections were throttled enough.

I totally agree.  I moved away from one big router year ago in favor of multiple, distributed AP's.  BUT, one big router (or one crappy router) is what most people have b/c that's what they get with Comcast or Fios and they don't know any better.  Or don't want to pony up for something extra.

@JSchnee21 Yes so true.  I have seen many buy a $450-600 big router and they think it will cover their whole 8000 sq ft house or buidling??? So much wasted money for sure that still does NOT work.

That's a nice tool for low voltage wire!

I'm usually pretty handy, albeit lazy, but my main issue is that my home (raised ranch) is of the pre-fabricated / modular variety.  I don't have a basement or crawl space, and everything is buttoned up tight with finished drywall.

So it's difficult to get wires from floor to floor.  Since our main living space is on the second floor, probably the best solution would be to go outside with the Ethernet up to the attic and then come down from the top.  But even that is a PIA because we sealed, insulated, and put decking all throughout the attic.  And with the trusses it's still quite hard to move around and get to the ceiling (of the second floor).

I generally try not to put holes in things both on principle, and because the wife gets annoyed.  Also I'm not always good at going back and "cleaning up."  So I tend to make do with a jury rigged for a while, until I get fed up and pay a professional to do a good job. (-:

-Jonathan