Good afternoon!
The situation is rather sad. It is necessary to organize a WiFi network in a small apartment, where the router is planned to be placed in a wardrobe with mirrored doors. I read a fairly large number of articles and forums on this topic and realized that this network would be extremely inefficient. But, before finally giving up, I decided to google alternative options. You may be able to help with solving the problem.
As I found out, the main problem is the mirror, which will simply cut the bandwidth to almost 0. However, what will happen if you do not make a mirror to the full height of the cabinet, but insert glass blocks on top, while using, say, mesh routers so that they complement each other friend? The important thing here is that the main router with wan will be exactly the device in the closet in the hallway. The router will stand exactly at the level of the glass block.
Mesh routers, as I understand it, can simply be plugged in and they will do everything for you. Then you could just put a couple more routers in the adjacent rooms.
Do you think such a configuration has the right to exist, or will it end with the fact that the routers simply cannot communicate with each other? Maybe there are more options, provided that the main router will stand behind (semi) mirrored doors?
Thank.
Answer
Good afternoon! Yes, there is information that the mirror strongly reflects the Wi-Fi signal. I think that to some extent it is. I also saw information that the Wi-Fi signal may fade, or not fade, depending on the quality of the mirror itself. They say there are very bad, cheap mirrors that do not reflect the signal.
Therefore, I decided to conduct an experiment. I have a large wardrobe in the hallway with fully mirrored doors. I can't say anything about the quality of the mirror itself, I didn't buy this cabinet. But! If you tap your fingernail on the mirror in the bathroom and on this cabinet, then the sound is slightly different. All the same, the mirror on the doors of the closet compartment emits a more plastic sound. So it is possible that not a real mirror is installed in the cabinet doors. But in appearance you cannot say that it is somehow different.
I put my router in the closet. TP-Link Archer A7 Dual Band Router.
I connected the Internet to it, connected from the phone, and did not notice any difference in signal strength compared to the router that was installed near this cabinet. The signal strength throughout the apartment was excellent. Only in the far rooms did the signal drop. But it normal. Just like the weaker network signal in the 5 GHz band.
But we are primarily interested in speed. I took measurements from the phone near the closet itself and in the separate room of the apartment. In the 2.4 GHz band (1 option near the router (cabinet), option 2 - in the back room):
In the 5 GHz band:
At a rate of maximum 100 Mbit / s. These are the results.
Important! Perhaps it is not a real mirror installed in the door of my closet. Maybe such mirrors, for example in the bathroom, are not installed in cabinets at all. I don't know, I'm not an expert in this.
I would advise you to check it first. Can borrow a router from someone. I understand that the wardrobe has not yet been ordered. You can inquire about the quality of the mirror that will be installed in the door. And no matter at all.
It's just that if the apartment is small, I don't even know if it makes sense to buy a router that supports Mesh technology, or a Mesh system. And if the mirror really will jam the signal, will the modules (or module) of the Mesh system be able to maintain a stable connection with the main module, which will be inside the cabinet and to which the Internet will be connected?
And so, if finances allow, then you can purchase a Wi-Fi Mesh system (just take a set of two modules, you will hardly need it anymore), or a router with Mesh technology support. So that in the future, if necessary, connect a Wi-Fi signal amplifier and create a seamless Wi-Fi network. Just recently I talked about OneMesh from TP-Link. You can also read my current recommendations for choosing a router or Mesh system.
25.03.20
2
Asked by Arthur
