No More Dead Zones: Why Mesh Wi-Fi Systems Are A Game Changer
Have you experienced problems with your Wi-Fi signal weakening the further you go from the router? Do you have zones in your house where the signal isn’t able to reach, and this frustrates you? Do you have Wi-Fi extenders installed but still get problems in the Wi-Fi’s speed and connectivity? A Mesh Wi-fi system might be the best option for you.
What are Mesh Wi-Fi Systems?
This is a network setup that uses multiple nodes (satellites) to provide seamless, whole-home coverage. The traditional Wi-Fi router uses a single node, which becomes a problem when distributing signals to large spaces, and this problem becomes even worse when there are obstacles blocking the wireless network coverage. Mesh Wi-Fi bypasses these problems by making use of the multiple nodes and synchronising them to act as one large network.
How Mesh Wi-Fi works
- One node is connected to the modem and acts as the base station. An Ethernet cable can be used to connect the two devices.
- The other satellites then communicate to the workstation wirelessly or via a wired backhaul to broadcast the same signal transmitted by the modem.
- This creates a blanket of Wi-Fi coverage in the house, extending reach to parts that would have otherwise not been reached by the router’s signal.
- The devices connect to the nearest satellite, allowing seamless switching between them as you move around the house.
How Mesh Wi-Fi is better than Wi-Fi Extenders
- Wi-Fi extenders create a separate network from the existing WiFi network, requiring the user to switch manually every time when changing networks. Mesh Wi-Fi, on the other hand, provides a single unified network, allowing seamless, uninterrupted roaming.
- Extenders work best with one or two units before performance drops, whereas mesh systems allow scalability of multiple units without compromising on stability and performance.
- Extenders don’t communicate with each other leaving coverage gaps and dead zones, whereas mesh nodes ensure nodes work together, dynamically adjusting connections.
- Signal rebroadcasting on extenders reduces the speed of the network by even as much as 50%, whereas the use of dedicated backhaul channels on mesh systems ensures that the speed is consistent across all nodes.
Benefits of Mesh Wi-Fi Systems
- Provides consistent coverage in large homes or offices, eliminating dead zones.
- In case one node fails, the others adjust to maintain connectivity in a method known as self-healing.
- Very scalable, as it is easy to add more nodes to expand coverage.
- Its ability to create a single unified network enables it to allow seamless switching of the device’s network connection to the nearest node with little to no downtime.
Downsides of Mesh Wi-Fi Systems
- The mesh systems could prove to be a bit more expensive than traditional routers. However, when you compare the costs of purchasing a mesh network with the costs of getting a more powerful and modern router, plus the possibility of getting extenders, the costs of the mesh network become less expensive than they initially seem.
- It becomes unnecessary in a small setting. The mesh system works well in large spaces, becoming overkill for small spaces, and in such a situation, a traditional router can be the best option to go with.
- In case the base station fails, it can create network instability and coverage gaps, especially if the system doesn’t have strong self-healing mechanisms.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Mesh Wi-Fi systems are the best choice to go with when it comes to ensuring consistent, high-speed coverage in large-scale environments. While mesh systems may require a higher investment, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. If reliable, uninterrupted Wi-Fi is your priority, mesh networks are undoubtedly the best choice for ensuring future-proof connectivity in any environment.
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