Big apartment. Need multiple APs

[slim142]

The apartment has multiple ethernet outlets so I can put up to 4 APs connected directly into the LAN ports of the router in the laundry room.

I have two plans, one is buying APs/Routers (in AP mode) and put them in those outlets. Each in a different channel (two in channel 1, one in 6 and one in 11).

My question is, should I use the same SSID/password for all of them? I want them to act somewhat like zero handoff situation, but from my reading, this is based solely on the client (phone,laptop etc). Some devices seem to hold the connection as long as possible if that's how it is configured to work.

The other one is naming each AP differently so the person knows which AP he/she is connected to and switch if necessary. That way, I know they will always have full speed from the closest AP.

Any comments?

 

[RCoon]

Just buy four Unifi AC AP's, configure them using the management software which can be installed on any machine, set them to zero handoff mode and then they do the rest. They'll configure the channel (in ZHO mode they all use one channel). Once you configure the software the APs will receive the setup as soon as they find themselves on the same network. Updating the configuration and upgrading their firmware can be done on the software too.

You can name the APs in the software, and it has a tonne of (pretty) monitoring tools.

 

[brandonwh64]

Just pickup some access points and set the same SSID and security on both. Use a wifi scanner to choose the best channels that do not overlap with neighbors.

 

[silentbogo]

How big is the apartment?
Those ceiling-mounted unifi-series APs have a coverage of over 120m indoors, so you'll need at most one(we used one at work for an 8-room building with 4 offices on the first floor, and 4 rooms in the basement. >200m^2 per floor).
Alternatively get an ASUS RT-AC66U and three 7dBi antennas.
My RT-N66U in this setup covers the entire two-story house @ no less than 150Mbit/s effectively.
I can even use WiFi outside the house through a brick wall @57Mbit/s.
5GHz coverage is a lot smaller (only on the same floor), but at least this way you can avoid congestion on each AP.
At any given time there is at least 5 devices connected, and at most - 10, all sharing 100Mbit/s fibre connection.

 

[Jetster]

Yea how many square foot?

 

[jboydgolfer]

i would go with Powerline adapters.
i know they arent cheap, but the connection is solid, and You can even get ones that act as Wifi hot spots/AP's . while still having Ethernet posts.

just an option,

 

[Athlon2K15]

Linksys new Max-Stream products include seamless roaming

 

[slim142]

Just buy four Unifi AC AP's, configure them using the management software which can be installed on any machine, set them to zero handoff mode and then they do the rest. They'll configure the channel (in ZHO mode they all use one channel). Once you configure the software the APs will receive the setup as soon as they find themselves on the same network. Updating the configuration and upgrading their firmware can be done on the software too.

You can name the APs in the software, and it has a tonne of (pretty) monitoring tools.

I wanted to use Unifi, but the guy needs it done today and I only have whatever I find at Best Buy (which will probably be Netgear routers/APs)

Just pickup some access points and set the same SSID and security on both. Use a wifi scanner to choose the best channels that do not overlap with neighbors.

That is my first plan, in case the guy's laptop doesn't respond well to switching over to next closest AP, I will have to go with separate SSIDs. I actually feel better going with separate SSIDs right off the bat, but we will see.

He is one of those guys who actually knows about SpeedTest and I wouldnt like him to see he is getting 50% of his max bandwidth just because his laptop didnt switch over.

Yea how many square foot?

Idk the exact number, but it is a 4 bedroom, big living room apartment.

 

[Athlon2K15]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/linksys...t-switch/4830200.p?id=bb4830200&skuId=4830200

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/linksys...-mu-mimo/5172000.p?id=bb5172000&skuId=5172000

 

[remixedcat]

Ubnt will work good.. However what kinda cabling does the apt have?? Are all 4 pairs?

Also do you need PoE?? Ubnt only has a few models that have 802.3 at or af and the rest are passive and require a unbt switch or injectors..

 

[Solaris17]

Just buy four Unifi AC AP's, configure them using the management software which can be installed on any machine, set them to zero handoff mode and then they do the rest. They'll configure the channel (in ZHO mode they all use one channel). Once you configure the software the APs will receive the setup as soon as they find themselves on the same network. Updating the configuration and upgrading their firmware can be done on the software too.

You can name the APs in the software, and it has a tonne of (pretty) monitoring tools.

^ this, unify APs same SSID and pass enable band steering.

edit nvm should probably read.

 

[slim142]

I have installed multiple ubnt devices before, I know how they work and what they need. However, the issue is the guy needed it to be done asap and was not gonna wait for units to arrive from the internet.

 

[remixedcat]

Some specialy retail has them in stock, however they are few and far inbetween