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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

#61

Post by [deleted] »

xahrepap wrote: post #8
calinet6 wrote: 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 had nothing but problems with typical consumer hardware. Having to restart routers all the time. Dead spots. When family would visit (both my wife and I have large families) they would connect at least 2 devices each to my wifi (tablet, phone, laptop, etc). My wireless would just tank. They would always ask me why my internet was so terrible. Last year I bought an Edge router and a higher end Netgear hotspot. Works…

[deleted]

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#64

Post by threeseed »

calinet6 wrote: post #52
xahrepap wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had nothing but problems with typical consumer hardware. Having to restart routers all the time. Dead spots. When family would visit (both my wife and I have large families) they would connect at least 2 devices each to my wifi (tablet, phone, laptop, etc). My wireless would just tank. They would always ask me why my internet was so terrible. Last year I bought an Edge router and a higher end Netgear hotspot. Works…

I could be lighting a fire by saying this, but I've been using AirPorts for 5 years and haven't had a single issue. Is the issue just that the non-Apple-customer market didn't have a good analogue?

I use a Belkin with no issues. If WiFi drop outs were such a major issue all of the major vendors would have released products years ago.

This very much has the feeling of a "marketing" product designed to trick people into thinking it will solve internet speeds. When really the issue is the ADSL connection.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#65

Post by threeseed »

puddintane wrote: post #10
calinet6 wrote: 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.

Apartments can have this issue - where I live there are 50+ access points visible and even with the router directly next to our streaming device I cannot stream Netflix HD (75 mbps plan with Comcast). edit Not saying that Google's system fixes this but some users require nicer routers for that connection. I should note my actual computer gets an ethernet because I can never achieve on wireless what I can on wired!

This wouldn't solve that problem. Switching to Ethernet or finding a free channel (good luck) is the only solution.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#66

Post by ebf6 »

SamuelAdams wrote: post #53

How is Mesh networking different from a wireless repeater? Yes, there's a nicer UI for this, but are there any technical advantages?

The difference between the two isn't in the UI. Wireless repeaters traditionally have a set receiving and transmission point. Let's assume that signal interference / reflection / amplification does no matter, for the sake of simplicity in this example. So if you have a chain of three repeaters A B C, and then you move access point C closer to A (closer than B is to A), then the topology does not change (do you see the issue here?). Worse, if you have a longer chain with a few alternatives, then a single point going down (call it X) would require nodes previously connected to X to be reconfigured.

Mesh networks automatically judge the path of least resistance to a destination, and distribute the state of all the access points on a network. If one access point goes down, all the access points previously connected to the faulty access point will find alternatives if there's anything else within signal range.

In this case, if those are meant to be portable access points, you can move them between different rooms without worrying about nodes choosing a suboptimal path.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#67

Post by honkhonkpants »

threeseed wrote: post #64
calinet6 wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I could be lighting a fire by saying this, but I've been using AirPorts for 5 years and haven't had a single issue. Is the issue just that the non-Apple-customer market didn't have a good analogue?

I use a Belkin with no issues. If WiFi drop outs were such a major issue all of the major vendors would have released products years ago. This very much has the feeling of a "marketing" product designed to trick people into thinking it will solve internet speeds. When really the issue is the ADSL connection.

If you are using a Belkin and you aren't constantly monitoring it for security updates then it is behind on the security updates. That is the problem with mass market wifi gear. Before I got my OnHub I was either upgrading the firmware on my Asus, or power cycling it because it had crashed again, at least monthly. I've had my OnHub for about a year and I haven't even seen it once since I installed it.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#68

Post by ebf6 »

dragonwriter wrote: post #59
ebf6 wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> But that's different from saying "something usually only seen in expensive commercial installations". > No, its not. The fact that there are inexpensive alternative means by which it can be deployed, and by which certain segments of the population can and do deploy it, doesn't make it any less true that it is usually only seen in expensive commercial installations. Well then they should have made that more clear.…

> Well then they should have made that more clear. "Usually" generally means that they are exceptions, but they are less common. There's no lack of clarity here, you are just ignoring that word.

Of course I am ignoring the word "Usually". It's not a substantial word. How much is usually? There are always "uncommon exceptions" to some subject (see the implicit flaw with this sentence? That's because I don't use the word "usually". What kind of an argument can I make without the word "usually"?)

It disregards a whole field of volunteered hard work to make mesh networking technology accessible by people who don't want to buy "expensive, commercial" hardware and software.'

It sends the message: "Don't look further, because it's not worth it -- because usually other solutions are expensive and commercial."

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#69

Post by honkhonkpants »

threeseed wrote: post #65
puddintane wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apartments can have this issue - where I live there are 50+ access points visible and even with the router directly next to our streaming device I cannot stream Netflix HD (75 mbps plan with Comcast). edit Not saying that Google's system fixes this but some users require nicer routers for that connection. I should note my actual computer gets an ethernet because I can never achieve on wireless what I can on wired!

This wouldn't solve that problem. Switching to Ethernet or finding a free channel (good luck) is the only solution.

Well it might. Google centrally manages each OnHub to actively pick the best channel, where "best" takes into account nearby networks and their channels and other spectral problems.

Re: Introducing a new kind of Wi-Fi system

#70

Post by Namrog84 »

cocktailpeanuts wrote: post #35
the_watcher wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I live in downtown Manhattan and have that problem, but like OP asked, I don't think it's a huge enough problem to warrant a separate router just for the purpose. Most people simply use the router rented out from their internet provider (for free), and in most cases just make it work somehow (instead of buying a new device just for routing they would rather acknowledge that wifi doesn't work well in some parts of the…

Do any ISP really provide for free a router? Every place I've ever known will sneak it in as a couple dollars a month if you don't provide you own.
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