Ideas for a very small-business wireless solution...
Hello!
I'm working with a small business (5 employees) that work out one building that is separated into two offices by a fairly heavy-duty wall. We have wifi in one building (using a consumer-grade wireless router), and would like to add wireless access to the other office, but only a very weak signal bleeds through.
I know that I could add a wireless router to the other side, set up with the same SSID and encryption/passphrase, and have it work reasonably well... however, in the past I've run into issues where a device on wireless 'A' doesn't let go of the signal and grab wireless 'B', even though B is stronger.
I contacted our CDW rep to find out what a base SMB solution for this type of scenario would be (two access points that support roaming, without a controller), and his best solution was a couple of Meraki MR 33 access points, at roughly $450 each.
$900 was more than the boss wanted to spend... does anyone know of a more cost-effective solution for an SMB?
I'm working with a small business (5 employees) that work out one building that is separated into two offices by a fairly heavy-duty wall. We have wifi in one building (using a consumer-grade wireless router), and would like to add wireless access to the other office, but only a very weak signal bleeds through.
I know that I could add a wireless router to the other side, set up with the same SSID and encryption/passphrase, and have it work reasonably well... however, in the past I've run into issues where a device on wireless 'A' doesn't let go of the signal and grab wireless 'B', even though B is stronger.
I contacted our CDW rep to find out what a base SMB solution for this type of scenario would be (two access points that support roaming, without a controller), and his best solution was a couple of Meraki MR 33 access points, at roughly $450 each.
$900 was more than the boss wanted to spend... does anyone know of a more cost-effective solution for an SMB?
Craig Beck
Ubiquiti, all day!
There is really only the two ways you describe above for one SSID.
You can try two things (one of which we have tried ourselves).
First, get a commercial wireless router. Consumer stuff will not solve this issue.
1. Move the (new) Wi-Fi router to a central location near the wall. This gives a better chance for the signal to get through. I have done this successfully.
2. Have two SSID's. Then people may need to disconnect / reconnect. I am not a fan of this idea.
You can try two things (one of which we have tried ourselves).
First, get a commercial wireless router. Consumer stuff will not solve this issue.
1. Move the (new) Wi-Fi router to a central location near the wall. This gives a better chance for the signal to get through. I have done this successfully.
2. Have two SSID's. Then people may need to disconnect / reconnect. I am not a fan of this idea.
I've never had success with moving from one basic WiFi access point to another for exactly the reason you described. I have a client who wants to set up several for an outdoor area but wants to keep the cost down. I'm going to try:
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UAP-AC-M-US-Unifi-Access-Point/dp/B01N9FIELY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514570805&sr=8-2&keywords=ubiquiti+picostation
I've had excellent success with the Ubiquiti products in the past and am optimistic that this will do the trick.
I believe you'll find that the Meraki also has an annual expense associated with it. They don't have their own web interface. Instead they communicate with Meraki and you manage them from there.
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UAP-AC-M-US-Unifi-Access-Point/dp/B01N9FIELY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514570805&sr=8-2&keywords=ubiquiti+picostation
I've had excellent success with the Ubiquiti products in the past and am optimistic that this will do the trick.
I believe you'll find that the Meraki also has an annual expense associated with it. They don't have their own web interface. Instead they communicate with Meraki and you manage them from there.
A solution such as Ubiquiti which uses a controller does this seamlessly and can be tuned to encourage clients to move when the signal falls below a certain threshold.
ASKER
Thanks to all who responded... I haven't worked with Ubiquiti, but as I look at them, I see a lot of happy users.
The cost per AP is certainly where we'd like to be. These would take a wireless controller of some sort though, wouldn't they?
The cost per AP is certainly where we'd like to be. These would take a wireless controller of some sort though, wouldn't they?
Yes but it runs on a PC and is free :-)
ASKER
wow... the price seems too good to be true!
This question needs an answer!
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