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+--- Thread: Mesh systems (/showthread.php?tid=260545)
Re: Mesh systems - space-time - 10-10-2021
Mesh systems are basically wireless routers. Connecting one to to another wireless router will create a double-nat situation, which can cause problems.
That is not correct. There is no double NAT in a properly configured mesh system.
Re: Mesh systems - Robert M - 10-10-2021
Space,
Exactly. That's why I brought it up because many people don't realize you have to change a setting to activate bridge mode. Routers aren't in bridge mode out of the box. You have to go into the settings and activate it.
That was the case when I used an Apple Airport base station with the router provided by Verizon for my home. Had to put the Airport base station into bridge mode. Same goes when I removed the Apple router and replaced it with a Netgear Orbi. Had to put the Orbi into bridge mode. A friend just bought a Netgear Nighthawk mesh system and had to put it into bridge mode for use with the modem-router provided by Optimum for service in his home.
Unfortunately, some mesh systems don't offer bridge mode as an option. An older Google Mesh Network system owned by a friend of mine suffered from this flaw. It didn't have the feature. This was just a couple of years ago. Maybe Google has updated the system since that time.
Robert
Re: Mesh systems - Sarcany - 10-10-2021
Double-NAT is seldom a problem in a home.
Bridging your WiFi router to your ISP's modem puts the burden of your entire network on whatever cheap cr@p your ISP tossed you.
Usually, this is a dumb idea. You got your own router to have something better than the ISP's cheap cr@p.
And modern routers -- even the ones in cheap modems -- often have tricks to fix double-NAT problems built into their firmware.
If you use a 3rd party VOIP service or torrent a lot or you're hosting a VPN at home, these are reasons for concern about potential double-NAT problems.
What you can do in one of these situations is look into putting the modem into bridge-mode to pass the WAN address onto your WiFi router. It's a much cleaner solution.
Re: Mesh systems - NewtonMP2100 - 10-10-2021
.......only have mesh underwear......
Re: Mesh systems - Robert M - 10-10-2021
Sarcany,
You're making some assumptions in your post that aren't necessarily true at all. So far, from my experience, people have no issues with the basic functionality of the modem-routers provided by the ISP. They work and work more than well enough that people don't care about which modem-router is in the home.
The issue is usually wifi coverage. People want mesh systems because the wifi coverage provided by the ISP's hardware is insufficient for their home. No issues when actually connected to the network. Just an issue getting connected to the wifi network in the first place. A mesh system solves this problem readily. I suspect this is one of the reasons Verizon's most current modem-router is actually a mesh networking system. Verizon provides the base unit. The extenders for modem-router are satellites.
As for putting the modem into bridge mode, no. I wouldn't recommend that for someone at home. The moment a home user starts messing with the hardware provided by the ISP, is the moment the ISP stops providing support in the event of an issue. They'll blame it on what the user did and said user could very well be SOL.
Support is also why for many it doesn't pay to purchase a modem-router to use with the service. In the case of Verizon, they sell the current model modem for $299.99. Buy it and it'll take more than 1.5 years to recoup the investment. If the user bought it and has an issue with Internet service, Verizon isn't going to offer support.
Easy enough to just use the modem provided by the ISP, put a mesh network into bridge mode to create a superior more wide-ranging wifi network and be done with it. Doesn't create issues with support and it solves the primary problem which is usually wifi coverage.
Robert
Re: Mesh systems - Sarcany - 10-10-2021
Robert M wrote:
Easy enough to just use the modem provided by the ISP, put a mesh network into bridge mode to create a superior more wide-ranging wifi network and be done with it. Doesn't create issues with support and it solves the primary problem which is usually wifi coverage.
...Also gets rid of every advanced feature you paid for in your expensive mesh WiFi router, turning it into a dumb hotspot.
Re: Mesh systems - Robert M - 10-11-2021
Sarcany,
Again, assumptions which aren’t necessarily on target. You’re assuming the modem-router is total garbage. That’s not necessarily the case. You’re assuming the average person buying mesh systems now care about those features. Most just want better wifi coverage in their home. They don’t care about the advanced features and other gee-whiz stuff you’re talking about it in your posts. If the is an issue, they still want to be able to go back to their ISP for help.
Robert
Re: Mesh systems - Sarcany - 10-11-2021
Robert M wrote: If the is an issue, they still want to be able to go back to their ISP for help.
Thanks for reminding me to respond to that part: It's BS.
You're not making a hardware modification. You're changing a setting that people change all the time.
I've called many ISPs many times over the years to get help setting a modem into bridge mode (mostly Verizon because they make it a PITA to find the settings on some of their FiOS boxes) and they've always been cooperative.
...Another option is to point to your WiFi router as a DMZ in your modem's settings. Avoids just about all of the issues with double-NAT while retaining the full utility of your WiFi router.
Re: Mesh systems - Robert M - 10-11-2021
Sarcany,
Gonna have to agree to disagree with much of your post for the reasons I stated. The vast majority of people don’t give a crap about any of it. For Internet, They want basic plug and play that just works. Nothing else matters. You don’t fit into that situation. Neither do other people who are more in the know about networking and such and more cutting edge features.
Robert
Re: Mesh systems - space-time - 10-11-2021
I learned to NOT argue with Robert M.
Nothing will change his point of view.