So Long, Thanks For All The Help

[Jbennett360]

It's why I went with the U7s instead. Working a treat for me by the way.

Aren't they buggy though?

 

[GHammer]

Aren't they buggy though?

Hmmm, we have different opinions of "Works a treat"

 

[tgl]

Aren't they buggy though?

There's certainly a lot of complaints about the U7 APs on Ubiquiti's forums. The impression I have is that much of that is about not playing nice with wonky IoT clients. So you might be just fine depending on what you have.

That said, wifi 7 is still in the wild-west phase, where interoperability issues are to be expected. So I'm not sure that anybody else's APs will be much better. Personally, I just got done upgrading everything I care about to wifi 6E, and I plan to sit on what I've got for a couple of years.

 

[Tech9]

A new setting showed up with one of the updates:

Perhaps result of complaints about IoT connectivity.

Learn more shows this information:

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/27053048844055-Ensure-Your-IoT-Devices-Work-with-WiFi-7-on-U7-Access-Points

 

[GHammer]

Perhaps result of complaints about IoT connectivity.

Surprisingly, I have had zero (!) problems with my motley mix of plugs, switches, doorbells, streaming devices, leak detectors, thermostats, TVs, weather station loggers. I don't run any cameras except doorbells.

 

[Tech9]

Not surprised. One of the first comments under YouTube video about U7 series issues:

Perhaps first series of U7 were bad, I don't know. Since then software was updated and perhaps even hardware inside.

 

[jsbeddow]

Out of curiosity, I seem to recall @Tech9 being quite satisfied with TP-Link/Omada controllers and APs: what changed recently that brought you (back?) to Ubiquity?

 

[Tech9]

I never had Omada in production, only tests of the system and it was quite some time ago. I actually sort of downgraded my NA home system from x86 Netgate appliance running pfSense, Netgear PoE switches and Ruckus access points. There is no significant change in performance, but UniFi is more integrated, more power efficient and APs look much better. Replacing my home system in NA was a result of upgrading my home system in EU from Cisco router with Cisco APs to UniFi (UCG-Ultra, 2x U6-Mesh). It worked extremely well in EU and I just replicated and expanded the setup in NA (UCG-Ultra, 2x USW-Ultra, 4x U6 Mesh). Now I have both on one account and with central management.

 

[GHammer]

Perhaps first series of U7 were bad, I don't know. Since then software was updated and perhaps even hardware inside.

That's my thought. I had ~20 minutes of new software/firmware for the console and the APs when they first powered up.
All I can report is what I have here and they are cool, quiet, and troublefree. I don't have a real complex configuration but it was extremely easy to do the things I need to do. Taking the old "Set this and that option for 2.4 and 5 bands in general and professional tabs" away made this a breeze.

I'll just say to those who wish to manufacture problems that don't exist for my install, buy it, don't buy it. Without your own experience, what you read on the ultra reliable internet doesn't mean squat.

 

[Tech9]

Going from home router to multi-AP system can be eye-opening event to many folks around looking for "router with best range and speed". Many don't realize the fact the clients define the range with their 12-14dBm radios. Highly unbalanced links with 30dBm AP to 12dBm client behind 3 walls produce only the illusion of "strong Wi-Fi" to the client, but in fact this same client has bad connection back to the AP. Good speed is not happening in this situation - it needs -52dBm signal level or better from the client to the AP. Good roaming with no AP control is impossible to get right. The client has to reach -72dBm or lower signal level before reaching the next AP area. Home routers and "mesh" systems are in "pay, place, hope for the best" category.

My current AP settings:

The signal quality to clients:

This is 25mW on 2.4GHz band and 100mW on 5GHz band. I can probably lower 5GHz further.

Next question about home router with up to 1000mW radios will be answered with a link to this post.

A tip for folks with AP control and Band Steering active - set 2.4GHz band power 6-7dBm lower and your range for both bands will be about the same. This will make the Roaming work better and 5GHz capable devices will stay on 5GHz band. If the goal is range outdoors - offer 2.4GHz band only.