I have just set up a new mesh WiFi network in the house using the Linksys Velop pack of 3 nodes. tl;dr .. It is super
The back story:
My previous Apple Airport setup was good at the time (9 years ago). Time moves on. My system of WiFi extenders had grown like Topsy and was of varying ages. Some were Apple Express units and one was an old Airport Extreme. What they had in common was a low throughput and ageing hardware.
I’m convinced that the wifi was spying on me. If I said that the wifi was holding up well, it would go down for no apparent reason. It sulked. A reset of one or more nodes, or even a power down or a router reset (sometimes repeated) was required sometimes several times in a day. Up and down stairs, gaining points for my exercise stats, but becoming increasingly frustrating.
I had a plan — once we had moved house, I would get an Eero system. Reassuringly expensive, but good reviews! The downside .. version 2 not available in UK, and no signs of appearing in the near future.
I had heard that Apple was selling the Linksys Velop system in store and it had good reviews. The plot thickened. Apple was not going to carry on development of its wifi kit.
With a house move imminent, I procrastinated. The move was delayed and finding that the movers had packed all wifi kit aside from the base station Airport extreme, a decision had to be made. The wifi coverage in the house (3 floors) was poor and non existent in our decamped bedroom on the top floor. Something must be done was the cry.
So, to the Apple store to pick up a pack of 3 Velop nodes.
Setup was ok, but slow. The first node’s coverage was impressive. The 2nd node took a little longer as I struggled with cat5 cable connections (I later removed this). The network could not see the 2nd node. I repositioned this. All was then good. Finally the 3rd node was set up on the top floor.
How good is the system?
Well it is fast – 75mbs
It is seamless
I can surf the net sitting out in the garden – as far as I can get from the house — 10metres
Downloading is great
The Guest network was easy to set up. Not formally tested yet.
My Sonos system needed to be changed as the old wifi was no longer available. It took ages to set up as a new system. Eventually I renewed the lease on the wifi (Sonos). Perhaps the fact that it is a temporary network with no security, poses problems with the increasingly security conscious iOS.
After struggling, all is now well.
I’m enjoying my fast, secure and strong wifi coverage in the house. And yes it does penetrate those hard to reach places!
If you have a wifi system in your house that is 5 years of age or older, then my recommendation is to move to a mesh system.
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