Over the past few years, there have been a lot of advancements to the internet tech that we use. One of those recent developments has shown up in the form of mesh Wi-Fi systems. These systems allow households to set up an extensive network that can cover the whole house. Instead of using range extenders to do the trick, the mesh wireless network is a simple way to access your Wi-Fi in any corner of the house.
What’s Slowing Down Your Network?
Wi-Fi signals weaken in some areas and create dead spots. Various physical objects can create obstructions and prevent Wi-Fi signals from reaching you. Simple objects like walls, doors, shelves, and other metallic and concrete objects can be an obstruction between you and your router.
If your home is too large, a wireless router cannot spread out the signals to the other end of your house evenly. The traditional routers offered by internet service providers have a limited range. However, AT&T Internet plans come with sophisticated whole-home Wi-Fi that is equipped with mesh technology. You could access the internet service and the latest Wi-Fi tech at affordable AT&T internet prices
Other devices can also cause interruptions and prevent the signals from reaching you. Microwaves, phones, baby monitors, and other household devices can be the culprit. If you live in an apartment, close to other networks, this problem can increase significantly. You can imagine these interruptions as a market where people are all speaking at once and jumble together, instead of reaching you.
Wi-Fi Mesh Networks
So, how does a Wi-Fi mesh network work? Mesh systems are created by pairing two or more routers together to create a single and seamless network. You can expand the mesh network by adding another router and pairing it with the rest of the connection. No matter how large your property, the mesh network can be stretched out to cover the entire area.
The router is the key to the traditional Wi-Fi network. It is responsible for transmitting the signal to your devices. The router, as the name suggests, directs the internet traffic to and from Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as laptops, mobiles, and desktops.
However, the range of the router is limited. Multiple-story properties and houses can face issues in this situation. A single router cannot transmit signals to top floors where there can be many areas that receive few or no signals from the device. These dead zones can create issues if you are using a basic single-point router.
Mesh routers will link up the routers in your house to provide blanket coverage. Instead of broadcasting Wi-Fi signals from just one point, we can create multiple access points with the mesh system. These access points seize the signals from the router and rebroadcast them to the area around it.
Is Range Extender the Same asWi-FiMesh Network?
A wireless range extender is a separate device that is placed between you and the router. It grasps the signals and rebroadcasts them in the area where you need them. A range extender is unable to do its job if they are not placed in the proper location.
Range extenders are very different from a mesh system. These extenders are effective in transmitting the signals to you if you are too far away from the router, but it does so by significantly reducing the Wi-Fi’s effectiveness.
If you are using range extenders to spread the signals around in a larger space, the performance of your network is reduced drastically. This can cause a bottleneck effect and various other connection issues. The extender requires you to connect to its broadcasted signal manually if you want to access it. So, if you move around the house, you will be unable to receive the stronger signals from the extender, unless you don’t switch to its network.
Each range extender you add to your network creates another wireless network. You will need to log out and log in to these networks every time you want to shift between them.
Benefits of a Wi-Fi Mesh Network
Some of the biggest benefits offered by a mesh network have been discussed below.
Stress-Free System Management
One of the major benefits offered by a mesh network is that they offer users easy access to their networks in comparison to traditional systems. Mesh systems are mostly automated and can be accessed by the users through a mobile app from which the router can be controlled remotely. This mobile app allows you to configure a device according to your specifications instead of plugging the device into the router directly.
These applications allow you to view how your network is operating. You can observe the speed at which the network operates, generate guest systems, control Wi-Fi access at various points, and even test the quality of the connection. You can use the app to connect any Wi-Fi-enabled device to the network.
Restructured Network Connections
When you use range extenders, it creates a new network connection with a separate name that you have to log in to every time you want to access its signals. This can get very confusing inside a single household, as you will have to switch between routers in different parts of the house.
The mesh system is designed to offer you the same Wi-Fi connection all over the house. You avoid logging in and out of separate network connections and prevent lagging issues altogether.
Tight security
Mesh router kits also offer tight security to the households where they are installed. The simplified network management allows you to keep your router devices safe and under your control at all times. The simple setup is a great advantage for beginners who may be inexperienced with using very technical applications.
Features of a Whole Home Wi-FiMesh System
The Wi-Fi mesh system can create the network by using wireless and wired methods. One of the nodes of the mesh system is connected to the modem and acts as a router. The other nodes connect to this main node by finding the simplest path to it. This helps in creating a seamless connection around your house.
If your house makes use of Ethernet cables, some of the nodes can be connected with the aid of Ethernet cables. Even with a wired network, you can easily create a mesh system in your house.
A Recap
Mesh systems can be installed if you require coverage in all corners of your house. The easiest way to understand what is suitable for your house is to realize what your requirements are. Then all you have to do is browse through the AT&T bundles to find the best option.