What are Mesh Networks?
Are you finding that your Wi-Fi network just isn’t quite reaching where you need it to? Maybe you’re considering Wi-Fi extenders but find the information a little overwhelming. You’ve come to the right place to get a clearer picture of mesh Wi-Fi networks, a technology that may be just what you need! (BTW: click this link to learn more about networks in general.)
What’s the difference between mesh networks and traditional Wi-Fi networks?
Mesh Wi-Fi uses several nodes to create a stronger connection between devices and your network. These nodes help ensure a consistent signal across your home and office space.
How is mesh Wi-Fi different from traditional Wi-Fi routers? A traditional Wi-Fi router communicates through a single point, with distance affecting the communication between devices. With these types of routers, if you want to improve your connection, you must move closer to the Wi-Fi router.
With mesh Wi-Fi each node in the mesh emits and receives signals. This is how it provides a consistent connection across your space. When setting up a mesh Wi-Fi network one node behaves as the base station; this base station node is what connects directly to your internet modem. This node then talks wirelessly (or wired, your choice!) to the other nodes on your mesh network. Through this process networks can be grown as needed or wanted across your space.
What is the difference between Mesh Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi-Extenders?
Are mesh Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi extenders the same thing? It’s easy to think that they are because they look like they function the same way, but they are really two different things at the detail level.
When you install Wi-Fi extenders you are basically stitching together multiple networks to reach across a distance. This may be what works for an outdoor sprinkler system, but for streaming movies and playing games online, you want something unified.
Mesh Wi-Fi provides a unified network. Adding more nodes is simply making the single network wider. How is a mesh Wi-Fi better than Wi-Fi extenders? All the nodes of a mesh Wi-Fi are designed to work together by a single manufacturer. This is not always the case with Wi-Fi extenders, and so there may be disunity across the Wi-Fi router/extender setup. This disunity results in lags and a greater chance of problems arising.
Why should I use Mesh Wi-Fi?
You may be wondering “what are the benefits of mesh Wi-Fi?”
For office spaces and larger homes (especially when space is sprawling or has multiple walls and Wi-Fi obstacles) mesh Wi-Fi nodes can be placed strategically to expand the network’s reach without sacrificing speed or connection.
Mesh Wi-Fi platforms are often user-friendly, more than traditional Wi-Fi routers may be. They make it easy to pause Wi-Fi access, block ads across the network, and allow you to control your environmental devices even when you’re away from home or the office!
Perhaps the best part is that growing the size of the network is easy! Just connect a new node to a power source and it seamlessly connects to the existing network, giving you better coverage where you need it!
What are the downsides of Mesh Wi-Fi?
For most networking needs mesh Wi-Fi is perfect. However, if you’re in an extremely small apartment or a techie who likes to manually adjust network settings, a mesh Wi-Fi network may not be the best choice. Mesh Wi-Fi is best for folks needing a simple-to-use, expansive network. This is often great for large homes and office spaces. If you need to adjust band allocation or have a studio apartment, traditional Wi-Fi routers may be a better option.
Your experts at Soundwave can help you decide what is the best fit for your needs! Contact Soundwave here or give us a call to set your scene right!