Does such a wireless device exist?

Axman

VP of Extreme Liberty
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I'm looking for a wired-to-wifi access point that I can plug into a wired router to give it wifi function in two locations in an office, using the same wifi network.

I think this does that, but I could be wrong: https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/unifi-ac-mesh-ap

Basically I want as simple of a network as possible, with one set of wifi credentials that spans a pretty long office. Right now, it has two different wifi networks, one for one end, and one for the other end. When people go from one end of the office, they have to think to switch networks or they have problems. They are not tech-savvy people (teachers). They don't understand that they have to change networks when they move around the office.

I have access to the plenum so running string up there isn't a problem.

I have a Ubiquiti setup at home and it's been so flawless that I forgot everything about working on it.

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Basic network concept layout.
 
You can get fancy with ubiquiti stuff, but what you want is a 'wireless access point', or well two; most wireless routers have an access point mode, too. Set them to the same SSID and PSK (assuming you're not doing enterprise auth) and make sure the tx strength isn't too high and the clients will roam. If you are using enterprise auth, a fancier setup is better because you're more likely to get fast handoffs.
 
yup but dont forget to get a SFP module.

I don't think that's necessary, the modem is in the center of the office and I can run lines to both ends pretty easily. Unless it uses the SFP module for the modem or something? Says eth5, that would be a first for me, all the others either used eth0 or didn't care.

The office is U-shaped but getting a signal from the middle to the other ends just isn't working.

You can get fancy with ubiquiti stuff, but what you want is a 'wireless access point', or well two; most wireless routers have an access point mode, too.

I talked to the office manager and he told me they already tried that but it wasn't adequate. Everyone in the office has clients that are remote, so they go through gobs of data. He said he was thinking about repeaters, but I'm not sure that's a good idea, either, since they really need all the bandwidth they can get.

My first thought was to make sure they were on a less-used channel and when I scanned the wifi I was like, fuck, there are no lesser-used channels. There must have been 250, 300 different MAC addresses visible, maybe more.

And their network is already a rat's nest of Comcast and Netgear crap. They were even providing an Xfinity hotspot...

They were running five networks, I got them down to two (technically three, one just for the printer, though). If that's not cutting it, I mean, it's $300 for the base mesh hardware. They bill their clients a hundred bucks an hour, going up a notch in network quality and reliability should be a solid priority for them.
 
I don't think that's necessary, the modem is in the center of the office and I can run lines to both ends pretty easily. Unless it uses the SFP module for the modem or something? Says eth5, that would be a first for me, all the others either used eth0 or didn't care.

The office is U-shaped but getting a signal from the middle to the other ends just isn't working.



I talked to the office manager and he told me they already tried that but it wasn't adequate. Everyone in the office has clients that are remote, so they go through gobs of data. He said he was thinking about repeaters, but I'm not sure that's a good idea, either, since they really need all the bandwidth they can get.

My first thought was to make sure they were on a less-used channel and when I scanned the wifi I was like, fuck, there are no lesser-used channels. There must have been 250, 300 different MAC addresses visible, maybe more.

And their network is already a rat's nest of Comcast and Netgear crap. They were even providing an Xfinity hotspot...

They were running five networks, I got them down to two (technically three, one just for the printer, though). If that's not cutting it, I mean, it's $300 for the base mesh hardware. They bill their clients a hundred bucks an hour, going up a notch in network quality and reliability should be a solid priority for them.
if im understanding it right the uplink port is that sfp port and needs a module, listed at the bottom, rj45 is only $20. i could be wrong though, it didnt dig into the manual....
 
Appreciate it nonetheless. I would never have thought about it, now I have more to look into.

Man, I wish this company was around when I was a sysadmin. Even when they're complicated, they're way easier to use than conventional enterprise hardware.

When I set up my Ubiquity here at home, I did all by the sysadmin books, and nothing worked right. I finally gave up and just plugged it all in and turned it on, and it's been on and working ever since. You just...plug it all together.

I feel like learning to CLI into a firewall only caused brain damage.
 
He said he was thinking about repeaters, but I'm not sure that's a good idea, either, since they really need all the bandwidth they can get.

My first thought was to make sure they were on a less-used channel and when I scanned the wifi I was like, fuck, there are no lesser-used channels. There must have been 250, 300 different MAC addresses visible, maybe more.

Yeah, you don't want to add repeaters to that mess. Is this in a building with a lot of other wireless networks or they've got a bunch of wifi clients?

In a crowded wifi environment, you definitely want your access points to have ethernet backhaul. If you can switch anything to wired that will help that device immensely, and everything else a little.
 
Yeah, you don't want to add repeaters to that mess. Is this in a building with a lot of other wireless networks or they've got a bunch of wifi clients?

Both. Six to eight offices per floor, ten floors, two towers, lots of separate guest and employee networks for different offices... It's wifi Mad Max-times over there.

I was working on the ninth floor of a federal building with a VA's office. Two of the networks are named "Stacy's Mom" and "Second Floor Glory Hole."
 
Both. Six to eight offices per floor, ten floors, two towers, lots of separate guest and employee networks for different offices... It's wifi Mad Max-times over there.

I was working on the ninth floor of a federal building with a VA's office. Two of the networks are named "Stacy's Mom" and "Second Floor Glory Hole."

Yeah, that's a challenging environment to work in. Big buildings like that are hard even when it's just one company and one network. Wifi6e might help if you do it before everyone else. Concentrating on 5Ghz (or 6Ghz if you can swing it), especially the channels with lower Tx limits 'indoor only' may give you the best chance of not conflicting with your neighbors and their glory, but you're beyond my help.
 
!JFC! I just learned that every outage costs them $900, and while I was there I earned them $1,800 in less than two hours.

STOP WARCARTING MY HONEYPOT!

Imma fix this network by horses or by courses! IDGAF if I have to pull string to every laptop and put in USB-to-token-ring adapters, they're getting good innarnets.
 
!JFC! I just learned that every outage costs them $900, and while I was there I earned them $1,800 in less than two hours.

STOP WARCARTING MY HONEYPOT!

Imma fix this network by horses or by courses! IDGAF if I have to pull string to every laptop and put in USB-to-token-ring adapters, they're getting good innarnets.
Geezus, how have they managed to stay in business this long? One good downturn should have soaked them with this type of idiotic decision making...
 
!JFC! I just learned that every outage costs them $900, and while I was there I earned them $1,800 in less than two hours.
What kind of "remote clients" and "not tech-savvy people (teachers)" and "Second Floor Glory Holes" are they running up in there?
 
FFS don't use consumer solutions in a commercial environment. Just because it works at your home doesn't make it suitable for commercial use. Forget the kludge that is mesh. Do a proper site survey and install AP accordingly.
 
FFS don't use consumer solutions in a commercial environment. Just because it works at your home doesn't make it suitable for commercial use.

My home has a better network than most commercial environments. They're using home internet hardware as it is, I'm trying to get them off it.

Geezus, how have they managed to stay in business this long? One good downturn should have soaked them with this type of idiotic decision making...

They fix kids who can't read so they're inflation-proof and recession-proof. Mostly. Not as proof as a liquor store, but up there.

What kind of "remote clients" and "not tech-savvy people (teachers)" and "Second Floor Glory Holes" are they running up in there?

Kids mostly, but the military is also involved...
 
My home has a better network than most commercial environments. They're using home internet hardware as it is, I'm trying to get them off it.



They fix kids who can't read so they're inflation-proof and recession-proof. Mostly. Not as proof as a liquor store, but up there.



Kids mostly, but the military is also involved...

Newsflash Ubiquity unifi is home gear possibly better than some but still far removed from enterprise grade.

No offense but in your original post you were basically asking if there is such a thing as AP. Not exactly instilling confidence in your wifi-fu with an opening like that. It would appear to an outsider that you are WAY out your depth and in all likelihood will certainly change things, possibly even for the better but, given what is in this thread, you will, probably, not actually fix it. Some out of their depth amateur is who created the mess to begin with. What you should do is reach out to a vendor such Aruba, Cisco, Fortinet or Ruckus and enlist their expertise. One of the difference between experts and amateurs is that experts know their limits and when to engage help. Internet forums, even good ones like the HardForum, are not help.
 
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Newsflash Ubiquity unifi is home gear possibly better than some but still far removed from enterprise grade.

No offense but in your original post you were basically asking if there is such a thing as AP. Not exactly installing confidence in your wifi-fu with an opening like that. It would appear to an outsider that you are WAY out your depth and in all likelihood will certainly change things, possibly even for the better but, given what is in this thread, you will, probably, not actually fix it. Some out of their depth amateur is who created the mess to begin with. What you should do is reach out to a vendor such Aruba, Cisco, Fortinet or Ruckus and enlist their expertise. One of the difference between experts and amateurs is that experts know their limits and when to engage help. Internet forums, even good ones like the HardForum, are not help.
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Newsflash Ubiquity unifi is home gear possibly better than some but still far removed from enterprise grade.

Balls, they make enterprise hardware, big and little versions of enterprise hardware. What kind of home gamer needs a level 3 rack-mount 48 2.5G PoE switch?
 
FMD that ^^^ is exactly my point. If you are actually charging these people money you seriously need to seek the assistance of a knowledgeable networking and wireless professional. I would also suggest you read up on Dunning-Kruger.
 
FMD that ^^^ is exactly my point. If you are actually charging these people money you seriously need to seek the assistance of a knowledgeable networking and wireless professional. I would also suggest you read up on Dunning-Kruger.

You're really digging your heels in on something without even reading what I wrote. You're condescending, but at least you're tenacious.
 
I read every word of this thread, including yours. The rest I agree with you 100%. That doesn't make me wrong. Customers, paying or not, deserve the absolute best we can give them. That statement concludes my involvement in this thread.
 
That doesn't make me wrong.

It's Friday and I'm into my cups so I don't feel bad about this, but I was wrong about calling you tenacious. And I hesitated to point this out then, but you lied when you said this:

No offense but in your original post you were basically asking if there is such a thing as AP.

Because I said this:

I'm looking for a wired-to-wifi access point

Seriously, first sentence. The device I was asking about looks different from the rest of their catalog, so I wanted to be sure.

Look up the imposter syndrome. Some of this shit is too easy nowadays.

But also, try being humble, and just ask questions and be open to your answers, even if you think you know them. We all have blind spots, even when it comes to the things we know well, or especially then. It's better to ask dumb questions. The alternative is not to question all the time, and fuck that. Question all the time, maybe yourself the most.

I'm over the part of my life when I was the asshole. Friends are hard to come by, so it's worth pursuing them.

This is a networking sub, after all.
 
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