We have Kevin Schoonover this week and we spend a bunch of time talking about home networking. Is a single modem or mesh best? What blocks Wifi? How do you troubleshoot networking issues? We look at some new equipment as well. All that and more!

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg502

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison and Mike Wieger / @WiegerTech for show #502 of Home Gadget Geeks brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks

Find Us!

Join us in the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaverageguy/

On Discord at https://theaverageguy.tv/discord

Save $40 on your first Box of HelloFresh

Get $10 when you join Coinbase and buy or sell $100 in crypto at http://theaverageguy.tv/coinbase

Wifi and network troubleshooting for the average guy.

But Kevin, I have great WiFi!

Basics- in your home you should have one modem, one router/firewall, one 2.4G/5G WiFi system, switching. These could be all individual items or all built into one box or many other configurations.

Most common issues I see currently:

1.       Mesh will fix your WiFi issues. Take it home, plug it in and set it up. Are you now running two routers and two wifi systems that interfere with each other, probably. Set the mesh to bridge mode and turn off wifi on the ISP all in one. Or set the ISP box to bridge mode making it a modem and let the mesh do the rest. Moving to Mesh, plan for Ethernet back haul.

2.       Physical location. ISPs install in the corner of the basement. Move the WiFi to the center of your home. Not in a cupboard. What is your house made of? Plan for outdoor coverage

3.       Interference. Keep wireless devices away from each other. Be aware of other devices that operate on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz (see below)

Equipment and proper deployment:

1.       ISP provided all in one- low bid, pushed updates

2.       Mesh- good coverage- deployment issues, not the best router, not the best WiFi

3.       Separate components- cost and complexity

4.       Extenders are not a good idea

Position/physical location:

1.       Single router central location

2.       AP or Mesh distributed around the home/area

Interference:

1.       2.4Ghz limited channel choices

2.       Wifi interferes with WiFi

3.       Structural

a.       Concrete walls

b.       Steel siding

c.       Outdoors

4.       Other source

a.       Hue

b.       Zwave

c.       Cordless phones

d.       Microwaves

e.       Neighbors WiFi

WiFi tool:

1.       TethaByte

2.5GbE is here, sort of, maybe, kind of,,,,,

1.       Modem

a.       Nighthawk CM2000 – DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps Cable Modem | NETGEAR

b.       MB8611 Ultra-Fast DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem with 2.5Gb Ethernet – Motorola

2.       Router

a.       RT-AX89X｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS USA

b.       Orbi Pro WiFi 6 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System (3 Pack) | NETGEAR

c.       MikroTik Routers and Wireless – Products: RB5009UG+S+IN

3.       NIC

a.       Intel based QXG-2G2T-I225 | Flexible, fast, economical | QNAP (US)

b.       Realtek based 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet PCI-e x1 Network Card (sybausa.com)

4.       Switch

a.       TL-SG3210XHP-M2 | JetStream 8-Port 2.5GBASE-T and 2-Port 10GE SFP+ L2+ Managed Switch with 8-Port PoE+ | TP-Link

b.       2.5G Switch – 5-Port Unmanaged 2.5G Switch | TRENDnet – TRENDnet TEG-S350

c.       Smart Switches – MS510TX | NETGEAR

5.       AP

a.       EAP660 HD | AX3600 Wireless Dual Band Multi-Gigabit Ceiling Mount Access Point | TP-Link

Possible network upgrade for me:

1.       Modem

a.       Nighthawk CM2050V – DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps Cable Modem | NETGEAR

2.       Switches

a.       TL-SG3210XHP-M2 | JetStream 8-Port 2.5GBASE-T and 2-Port 10GE SFP+ L2+ Managed Switch with 8-Port PoE+ | TP-Link

b.       TL-SG3428X | JetStream 24-Port Gigabit L2+ Managed Switch with 4 10GE SFP+ Slots | TP-Link

3.       Wireless Access Points

a.       Indoor

                                                               i.      EAP660 HD | AX3600 Wireless Dual Band Multi-Gigabit Ceiling Mount Access Point | TP-Link

b.       Outdoor

                                                               i.      EAP225-Outdoor | AC1200 Wireless MU-MIMO Gigabit Indoor/Outdoor Access Point | TP-Link

4.       Firewall

a.       Untangle

                                                               i.      2.5GbE support?

Find Us!

Join us in the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaverageguy/

On Discord at https://theaverageguy.tv/discord

Get the Home Gadget Geeks subscribe links at http://homegadgetgeeks.com

http://theaverageguy.tv is powered by Maplegrove Partners web hosting. Get secure, reliable, high-speed hosting from people you know and trust.  For more information visit http://maplegrovepartners.com