How mesh networks work and how to find the right system for you

A wireless mesh network (mesh) at home allows you to use Wi-Fi in the best possible conditions, in the four corners of the house. But how does it work?

Mesh networks have been around for several years and can be the solution to your Wi-Fi problems in your home. But how do you choose the right system? In the article below, you will understand all about this network typology.

You may not need to go through this. If you have a reasonably powerful router and a relatively small home, a single WiFi transmitter may be sufficient. However, adding multiple terminals will eliminate dead zones and you will have the same very good speed everywhere.

How mesh networks work

A mesh network adds devices to your network, satellites, that act as routers to carry a wireless signal to the corners of your home. Each point in the system connects wirelessly to the rest of the network, presenting a single Wi-Fi network to your devices. The advantage is obvious: you cover a larger area at a faster rate. Thus, you can connect more devices without any problems.

Mesh networks are also smart enough to route traffic as efficiently as possible, as well as manage autonomously in the event of a satellite failure. Most systems also have Ethernet ports on each device. If you need the best bandwidth, for example on a console or computer, you can connect directly.

You can also add signal repeaters. However, in most cases, the mesh network is the most powerful and flexible, but also the most expensive.

The attractiveness of the specifications

Probably the most important aspect to consider in a mesh network system is the WiFi version – currently WiFi 6E is the best. For truly breakneck speeds. A mesh network won’t improve the speed of the Internet coming into your home, but it will provide maximum speed in all four corners of your home.

Another interesting piece of information to check is the area covered by the system. This, again, is only an estimate, but should not be overlooked. If you need to cover a very large area, you can add satellites, but the cost will increase.

Most packages also specify how many devices can be connected without losing speed. Usually this number is in the hundreds if you have one or two companions. Ideal if you have a lot of connected gadgets at home.

Battle of the Bands

Current mesh kits operate on two bands like a standard router: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Most of them are able to make an intelligent decision about which devices to connect in which frequency band, but some broadcast two different Wi-Fi networks (one 2.4 GHz, the other 5 GHz). Some kits work in three or four bands. Thus, communication is less likely to be interrupted or interfered with. The network also has more options to optimize traffic for faster and more stable performance.

Some mesh network systems also have a SIM card slot, allowing you to work on 4G or 5G networks if your Internet connection fails. An interesting option if you absolutely need to always be in touch.

There are many other options to consider, take the time to read the specs and get educated.

Use a mesh network

Today, mesh networks are most often set up via a smartphone app to guide you step by step. Sometimes you will even get advice on the location of the satellites. The whole operation is very simple.

The main unit of the kit connects to an existing router/modem. Your existing box still manages communication with the outside world, but cellular devices take over the wireless in your home.

Otherwise, the management is no different from a traditional modem / router. You can check the status of various satellites, monitor download and upload speeds, see devices connected via Wi-Fi and wired, set any restrictions, etc.

Blackhaul vs Fronthaul

Tri-band systems have an additional 5 GHz or 6 GHz band dedicated to site-to-site communication. This is a transit connection. Less expensive dual-band systems share a common transport channel, the network components communicate with each other over the same channels they use to communicate with your devices.

The normal data that your devices send to your network is Fronthaul data. They are forwarded in the opposite direction to reach the main router, with a little bit of optimization and intelligence along the way. Mesh networks, where transmitting and backhaul data are placed on the same bands, work very well, but having separate spaces reduces the risk of congestion and interference.

A dedicated transport channel can also be created over Ethernet if you can connect all your satellites, of course. This is ideal because it means that all wireless bands and channels are free for the most important data. Some systems offer this feature, others do not.

Some systems, such as the Amazon Eero Pro 6, use tri-band mode but do not have a defined hop range. Instead, the algorithms optimize the use of data to separate the transit and forward information as best as possible.

The best sets right now

This article is not a complete buying guide, but we can provide a number of interesting links such as Amazon Eero kits. There are also Google Nest Wifi kits – Google Wifi, Nest Wifi and Nest Wifi Pro.

Systems such as the Netgear Orbi are more advanced and more expensive. Linksys also offers more or less complete systems. With a little research, you can easily find a solution within your budget that meets your specific needs.