Extending, or WAP options for outdoor area

[SamS]

Hello again friends,

I have a modest sized house that has been perfectly served by a centrally-located Cisco WAP-4410N (PoE).

I have just begun a backyard remodel project, which will include an expanded backyard patio/pergola/seating area that is about 75 feet from where the WAP is located inside. Wi-Fi does reach out to this location, at decent speeds. However, I can tell I'm on the fringe of coverage due some outdoor experiments I conducted yesterday trying to AirPlay some Apple Music via iPhone to a receiver indoors. The audio would drop off when I got more than ~50ft away from my WAP.

I plan on running Ethernet and 120V out to the new patio area as part of the remodel. Should I consider adding an outdoor WAP like the D-Link AC1200? That looks like a good option, but at $300, it's a bit pricey. There used to be an article on this site about using multiple WAPs in your home, can someone point me towards the link?

Any other tips or suggestions for improving an outdoor/patio Wi-Fi situation are appreciated!

 

[pete y testing]

I plan on running Ethernet and 120V out to the new patio area as part of the remodel. Should I consider adding an outdoor WAP

yes

like the D-Link AC1200? That looks like a good option, but at $300, it's a bit pricey.

if its just browsing on phones and laptops you prob dont need wireless AC , look at the tp link range of outdoor ap's if you want it a bit cheaper

Any other tips or suggestions for improving an outdoor/patio Wi-Fi situation are appreciated!

forget repeaters and the like , just run that ethernet and use what ever outdoor AP you want that has power over ethernet

 

[SamS]

yes..
if its just browsing on phones and laptops you prob dont need wireless AC , look at the tp link range of outdoor ap's if you want it a bit cheaper

Thanks, I'll check those out now.

forget repeaters and the like , just run that ethernet and use what ever outdoor AP you want that has power over ethernet

Great. I have a TRENDnet TPE-TG44g PoE+ and a spare port, it has served me well.

My only concern about running two WAPs is the SSID conflict, i.e. handoff from one, to another. Can someone point me to an article/link where it describes how to best manage this?

 

[pete y testing]

My only concern about running two WAPs is the SSID conflict, i.e. handoff from one, to another. Can someone point me to an article/link where it describes how to best manage this?

there is no real issue just name the ssid's differently and connect manually depending on where you are and which has the better signal , it will swap its self if the signal degrades to much but it can be a pain getting some clients to roam and is why i prefer to have separate ssid names and different channels for each transmission

 

[SamS]

there is no real issue just name the ssid's differently and connect manually depending on where you are and which has the better signal , it will swap its self if the signal degrades to much but it can be a pain getting some clients to roam and is why i prefer to have separate ssid names and different channels for each transmission

Yes, that is my concern. No problem on different SSID names, rather getting my devices (mostly iPhones, iPads, occasional laptops) to swap might be an issue. The main WAP signal is strong enough out there (backyard) where I don't think the devices will switch automatically.

My current (indoor) WAP is 2.4Ghz only. I'm thinking of a 5Ghz only TP-Link CPE510. I can pick a different channel of course. I wonder if the 5Ghz only will help devices to flip over when the encounter the outdoor WAP?

 

[pete y testing]

I wonder if the 5Ghz only will help devices to flip over when the encounter the outdoor WAP?

well the issue is the clients and not so much the transmission

mac stuff generally moves ok some windows stuff can be a problem

again just use separate ssid names and manually select which one you connect to and where

 

[System Error Message]

with stock firmware you shouldnt consider dlink. Theres a recent thread similar to this where i linked a wifi based solution. Wiring an AP via ethernet however is the best option.

For outdoor APs stick to brands that have experience with it such as engenius, ubiquiti, cisco.

 

[SamS]

with stock firmware you shouldnt consider dlink. Theres a recent thread similar to this where i linked a wifi based solution. Wiring an AP via ethernet however is the best option.

For outdoor APs stick to brands that have experience with it such as engenius, ubiquiti, cisco.

Some of those brands you mentioned are quite pricey!

Late last night, I had another thought on how to approach my issue. I've been meaning to buy an Apple Airport Express to get a nice Ethernet audio-only AirPlay receiver for my (indoor) Denon receiver that feeds outdoor audio.

The cool thing is where I would put this Airport Express, it's only ~50ft away from the furthest point I'd need Wi-Fi access outdoors. Meaning it's right on the other side of the wall nearest the gazebo. I'm thinking about using the Airport Express in "roaming mode" (not Wi-Fi repeating) my wireless network to the backyard. It would be pulling double-duty as an AirPlay receiver, assuming iPads/iPhones can reliably connect. I would think they will, because it will be a full 25ft closer to my gazebo than my standard indoor WAP.

I have a strong suspicion this will work from a physical/Wi-Fi standpoint, which means my main question boils down to separate SSID for the AirPort Express, vs. same SSID/pw as my main WAP. Keep in mind I'll be going in and out of the house, so I'm looking for the most seamless experience for me and my guests/wife. Current indoor WAP is 2.4Ghz-only and on Wi-Fi channel 1. The AirPort Express is simultaneously 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, and I could put it on Channel 6 with no conflict from neighbors.

The AirPort Express was only $49, refurbished from Apple. So a cheap experiment.

 

[SamS]

After thinking about this whole 'same vs. separate' SSID concept for a while, I'm left with this conclusion:

One should always use separate/distinct SSIDs with this type of consumer-grade equipment. The clients will hand off appropriate (if they can), and you still get the option to force-choose the SSID you really want. If I named the SSIDs the same, it would be impossible for me to pick the WAP I feel suits my location the best. And there is no benefit to me/my device using the same SSID for two different WAPs. May make things a bit trickier for first-time guests, but that is a rare thing.

 

[pete y testing]

The clients will hand off appropriate (if they can), and you still get the option to force-choose the SSID you really want. If I named the SSIDs the same, it would be impossible for me to pick the WAP I feel suits my location the best. And there is no benefit to me/my device using the same SSID for two different

thats it in a nut shell

 

[System Error Message]

outdoor AP and cheap dont go together. The only cheap solution for outdoor is complicated but it involves getting mikrotik and an outdoor case. Perhaps placing the AP indoors on the outer wall. Wireless AC has good range.

 

[pete y testing]

outdoor AP and cheap dont go together. The only cheap solution for outdoor is complicated but it involves getting mikrotik and an outdoor case. Perhaps placing the AP indoors on the outer wall. Wireless AC has good range.

the OP just wants a bit of coverage out on his back patio and gazebo , not covering half the neighborhood , any outdoor POE access point will be fine for this

 

[SamS]

the OP just wants a bit of coverage out on his back patio and gazebo , not covering half the neighborhood , any outdoor POE access point will be fine for this

Yeah, just a coverage area 50'x50' in the back yard. And the Apple AirPort Express can be right up against the wall to the backyard. So as long as it can get through one wall, it should be able to provide the coverage I need. I'll know in a couple of days if this will work, else I'll go back to my original plan of the dedicated outdoor WAP.

Another reason that an outdoor WAP is not necessarily the best option: squirrels! I've had pesky squirrels literally chew through outdoor lights wiring, metal gutters, etc.