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Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

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Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#21
post #3

Serious question: whose WiFi is not working, to the degree that they think, "I really need to get a modern router to make this Internet thing actually work." I'm seeing about a dozen fancy modern wifi routers all trying to solve a problem I'm not sure exists.

A few people in larger buildings are indeed having an issue with connecting to the base point.

This access point 'network' uses each other to make a mesh network, increasing the chance that the nearest access point has a connection to the base access point, which has a connection to the internet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_networking

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#24
post #3

Serious question: whose WiFi is not working, to the degree that they think, "I really need to get a modern router to make this Internet thing actually work." I'm seeing about a dozen fancy modern wifi routers all trying to solve a problem I'm not sure exists.

I used to have wifi issues, but then I bought one of the UniFi Long Range wifi models.

I really can't imagine a house that would not be entirely serviced by a single one of those.

I still get 3 bars on my iPhone 30 meters down my driveway, let alone in the house.

I got one because we use them at work, and I was still getting usable internet in a supermarket 100 meters from my office across a parking lot.

They are designed for commercial use so initial setup is a bit complicated and requires java, but I have to recommend it.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#25
post #14

You can tell this product is made by people who live in suburban McMansions. In a 1 BR NYC apartment, you have no problems with wifi coverage.

They do sell a 1-pack, although in that configuration really the only benefit is automatic security updates.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#26

The list of features is missing one important item - Using these we will be better able to monitor your indoor whereabouts.

And in specific, lookup Tomographic Motion Detection ala:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8updJWoSxE

http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com/articles/2014/...

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#27
post #3

Serious question: whose WiFi is not working, to the degree that they think, "I really need to get a modern router to make this Internet thing actually work." I'm seeing about a dozen fancy modern wifi routers all trying to solve a problem I'm not sure exists.

It's not about the internet not working in general. These routers are about dead spots in places that have functional internet already. It's a pretty common problem that absolutely does exist.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#28
> The system uses a technology called mesh Wi-Fi (something usually only seen in expensive commercial installations).

This is misleading. You can create your own mesh networks with several off-the-shelf routers / access points using open source software like batman-advanced [0].

[0] https://www.open-mesh.org/projects/batman-adv/wiki

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#29
post #3

Serious question: whose WiFi is not working, to the degree that they think, "I really need to get a modern router to make this Internet thing actually work." I'm seeing about a dozen fancy modern wifi routers all trying to solve a problem I'm not sure exists.

In my NYC apartment, the physical WAN connection is in a rather unfortunate location. There's no good spot to place a router in the center of the apartment, and no unobtrusive way to run cable there if there was such a spot. As a result I have to choose between a wifi dead zone in my bedroom, or a strategically located repeater. I've chosen the latter.

If I lived in a less dense area, in a wood-framed house of the same size, I have no doubt my wifi would be just fine. But with all the interference from neighbors and all the reinforced concrete, my home wifi definitely has a problem that requires something more than the simplest, cheapest router to solve.

This Google product might work very well for my use case, though I'm happy enough with my current solution.

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