GADGET SPECIAL.... Mesh Routers and more PART I

Mesh Routers and  more PART I

AND WHY YOU NEED THEM

With mesh routers, you can now convert your entire home – even multiple floors – into a hotspot with no dead zones. Why you need to consider these new type of routers and even suggest some of the devices you can use along with them to make your home so much smarter…

WHAT ARE MESH ROUTERS?

Mesh routers comprise a master router that is linked to an internet line via its Ethernet (RJ45) port, and two or more satellites or nodes that interconnect with each other to create a wireless “mesh”. The nodes can be placed in different rooms to increase coverage area while maintaining signal quality and overall bandwidth (measured in Mbps).

Mesh routers are ideal for covering areas over 1,000 to 5,000 square feet. In practise, they work better than range boosters because you are promised the same signal strength with each node. Boosters, on the other hand, relay the original signal which tends to degrade over a larger spread. You should consider a mesh router in places where concrete walls, glass doors and home appliances like microwave ovens weaken the wireless signal to result in dead spots around the house.

Physically, the master and nodes look identical, require a power source, and usually have the same number of wired network ports (RJ45). These ports in each hub can be used to connect desktop computers or network storage devices that do not come with built-in Wi-Fi.

Mesh routers transmit and receive data over two frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. In the case of triband routers, data is handled over one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. Dualband compatible devices – like smartphones, streaming devices and laptops with support for the “802.11ac” standard – will connect to either of these bands automatically, thereby reducing over-crowding on a single band.

BUT ARE THEY TOUGH TO SET UP?

Mesh routers are easy to set up and require you to connect and power up the routers (master and satellite) in a particular sequence that is illustrated in their manuals. In most cases, you can visit the brand’s website, and follow onscreen instructions on how to make the nodes sync with each other.

Alternatively, you can use their companion apps (for Android and iOS) to set up your mesh router. The mobile app also makes it easier to manage the routers. It clearly shows you the status of the routers on the network, along with the devices that are connected to each node/satellite.

When you create an online account via the app, you will be able to remotely control and configure your wireless network from anywhere.

Mesh routers come with management features like parental controls, scheduling and a guest mode for restricted access to the home network. The can also be updated, over-the-air via the app.

WHICH MESH ROUTERS SHOULD I BUY?

Tenda Nova MW3 | ₹8,000 | 2 nodes | Dual-band | Coverage: 3,500 sq ft D-Link Covr-1203 | ₹12,900 | 3 nodes| Dual-band | Coverage: 5,000 sq ft Tenda Nova MW6 | ₹16,000 | 3 nodes| Dual-band | Coverage: 6,000 sq ft Netgear Orbi RBK40 | ₹22,999 | 2 nodes | Tri-band | Coverage: 4,000 sq ft Mesh routers are scalable, so you can add more nodes to increase the coverage area, or opt for a model that is better suited to cover a larger area. As an alternative, look at the… Asus AiMESH router | ₹9,000 onward | 1 node | Dual-band | Coverage: NA Its proprietary AiMesh system allows you to buy a single router and mix-and-match with any other AiMesh router in its range.

Ashutosh Desai and Savio D’Souza

toi21jul18