Mesh Router with Full Featured Software?

[czrabode]

Hi. I have a house that has an ethernet in most rooms. I have been mostly happy with my Google WiFi. I have 4 connected via a wired backhaul and can get around 400 mbps (or is it Mbps?) on my iPhone X. I have a gigabit connection from ATT.

My issue is that I feel limited by Google WiFi’s software. I have been messing around with Home Assistant and IP Cameras and need to setup VPN and port forwarding. I also need to block some sites.

I am thinking of replacing my Google WiFi with another mesh system like eero or Velop. Do any of these systems have feature parity with non-mesh routers or do all of them have a pared down software?

Am I better off with 2 or 3 non mesh routers in AP mode?

I know I can get something like An EdgeRouter with Unifi access points but I am not in IT and would rather not have something with a steep learning curve.

In summary, here’s my must-haves:
- MU-MIMO
- mesh or wired backhaul
- VPN server capable
- port forwarding
- capable of blocking specific websites

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thiggins]

Depends on what you mean by "full featured". Most consumer mesh systems have simplified features by design. Most allow port forwarding and many provide parental controls that include site blocking. None allow configuring a VPN endpoint.

ASUS' AiMesh is not a mesh system per se, and can be buggy. But it might be what you are looking for.

 

[tannebil]

I’m not sure about Google (https://support.google.com/wifi/answer/6240987?hl=en suggests not really) but I know that both eero and Plume offer the option to run in bridge mode so you can use any router you’d like with them. You lose a few of the mesh features that depend on the router but nothing that’s import to mesh functioning.

Due to a temporary limitation (no due date given), Plume SuperPods cannot use wired backhaul when run in router Mode. Not sure if that limitation applies to the original Pod as I only used bridge mode with mine.