{"id":621,"date":"2019-02-20T13:13:07","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T13:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senetic.co.uk\/blog\/wp\/?p=621"},"modified":"2025-09-24T10:28:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T09:28:54","slug":"how-to-choose-a-home-use-access-point-top-tips-from-senetic-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senetic.co.uk\/blog\/621,how-to-choose-a-home-use-access-point-top-tips-from-senetic-experts\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose a home-use access point: top tips from Senetic experts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Our<\/a>There is hardly a day without questions from our clients regarding network solutions, and r<\/span><\/span>ecently, access points.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>This guide series addresses at least some of the doubts and questions, and introduces more details.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Find out why it is a smart thing to consider equipment dedicated to a specific environment, what to focus on, and see our bestsellers.<\/span><\/span>
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Let\u2019s start with home-use solutions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In the next part, we will present our suggestions for small and medium enterprises, as well as larger spaces.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The selection is based on our experience and your needs.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>If you have any suggestions, additions to our list, or simply can\u2019t decide and want to talk to our expert, feel free to drop us a comment!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ensuring a stable signal in an entire house or flat might be a challenge.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Wireless connection is affected even by the type of building material.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The signal is quite often attenuated by walls.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Also, more and more devices use\u00a0<\/span>WiFi<\/span>, which adds an increasing load to networks and channels.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Expanding the home network using access points\u00a0<\/span>definitely involves<\/span>\u00a0less problems and proves much more appealing than using cables.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>When choosing a specific solution, it is worth taking into consideration e.g. the strength and coverage of the signal, configuration and management methods, available frequencies and the guest network option.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Among the most popular manufacturers of home-use access points are<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Ubiquiti<\/a>, MikroTik<\/a>, Ruckus<\/a> and\u00a0Zyxel<\/a>.\u00a0We will demonstrate a collection of models, starting with the most common challenges.<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

[emaillocker id=”673″]<\/p>\n

Range<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Network’s range, or propagation, is the most important factor affecting its stable operation.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In apartments, it’s simple – devices usually work on a single level, and proper placement of access points, as well as selecting their number, is\u00a0<\/span>definitely easier<\/span>\u00a0than in the case of homes.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>However, air installations and chimneys, as well as fire doors must be considered.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The signal strength is quite a challenge.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The stronger the output signal, the larger the area that is covered, but as its strength decreases, so does the speed at which the data is transferred between the access point and the host.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>A much bigger challenge arises in the case of a multi-<\/span>storey<\/span>\u00a0house, in which ceilings are most often reinforced or have underfloor heating, which presents a significant signal blocker.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In addition, most of the access points and routers broadcast the signal horizontally.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The common misconception is that devices with external antennas offer a broader range.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>However, there are many solutions available that confirm that models with built-in antennas work equally well, or even better.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Two factors determine the range of each device in the open space – amplification of the antenna, expressed in\u00a0<\/span>dBi<\/span>, informing how much the signal was amplified, and the direction of the antenna.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are several ways to solve the issue of with range.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The least recommended idea is to use of a high-power device, which in most cases is unable to provide a sufficient connection, especially when they are located at a greater distance from the access\u00a0<\/span>point, or<\/span>\u00a0are separated by a barrier blocking the signal.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Since the devices are also equipped with a radio module with its own range, the network propagated by the access point will be\u00a0<\/span>visible, but<\/span>\u00a0establishing a connection will be impossible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are simpler and more effective methods; one of them is distributing the network cabling in the apartment or house in order to connect access points in such places as to cover the selected area with\u00a0<\/span>WiFi<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>However, this is an ideal situation in which you can take full advantage of the network’s capabilities when it is not possible to use mesh devices. Their operation is based on the use of many devices connected with each other wirelessly. Such architecture is a great solution, but it has several limitations, above all bandwidth, unfortunately bringing a bit slower connection than using classic structures.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>What is important, mesh technology is not the same as repeaters. The former allows to dynamically change connection, and the latter only expands the network and are rigidly assigned to duplicate the signal from a specific access point.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Noise<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

In this case, the situation is reversed. In homes noise usually is absent, or is almost imperceptible, but in apartments it can be a serious problem, with many\u00a0<\/span>WiFis<\/span>\u00a0and many users.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Noise occurs in two situations:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>active noise appears when our device detects the range of more than one network almost anywhere, due to your\u00a0<\/span>neighbours\u2019<\/span>\u00a0equipment.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Passive noise is created when devices working in a standard other than\u00a0<\/span>WiFi<\/span>\u00a0emit a signal in the band used by our network.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>While it is difficult to deal with the latter without specialized spectrum-analyzing devices, solving the problem with the former is possible: just tweak the channel on which your device operates.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In theory, each producer implements algorithms that allow choosing a channel, but they are not always efficient enough to select the optimal one.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>As a result of overlapping networks, the connection quality drops significantly, which may result in a higher ping and slower communication between devices using\u00a0<\/span>WiFi<\/span>, and in extreme cases, breaking the connection.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>To easily figure out how to find the right\u00a0<\/span>WiFi<\/span>\u00a0network channel, we recommend using applications dedicated to this purpose, e.g.\u00a0<\/span>WiFi<\/span>\u00a0Analyzer (iOS, Android).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>“Here’s some basic theory, useful in fully understanding how networks operate.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>WiFi<\/span>\u00a0channels and frequencies as wireless communication methods operate in the 2412 – 2472 (2.4 GHz) frequency range, divided into 13 20-Mhz channels and in the 5180 – 5700 (5 GHz) range, divided into 19 similar channels.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In 2.4 GHz frequency, only 3 channels are available that do not interfere.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>At 5 GHz this problem disappears, which is why this technology is increasing in popularity.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The signal strength indicator is RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), which also receives noise.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Higher data transfer activity is reported in negative values – the closer to zero, the better the signal,\u201d points out Mateusz Grela, our technical support expert and\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0network solutions engineer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Understanding the principles of wireless networks makes knowing the main standards in wireless networks easier.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The list below shows how the choice of the right standard affects the signal strength.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n