A mesh Wi-Fi system is a network that works a bit like a pyramid. Mesh networks rely on a series of nodes rather than a single router (the atlas of IT technology destined to carry the weight of data transmission) to support the internet. These nodes are physical devices, usually shaped like pucks or small speakers, that share the load, allowing for simpler connections, easier scaling, and faster speeds.
While some customers may opt for a less expensive Wi-Fi extender to achieve the goal of increasing coverage in a given space, most products only talk to the router itself. With this constant back and forth comes a plethora of issues, including degraded signal quality and a more difficult user experience.
Whether you need a mesh wireless networking solution is essentially a matter of scale. However, if you can change it, mesh networking will — in general — improve your internet speed and provide a better overall user experience.
While mesh Wi-Fi networking promises to improve coverage, it’s not for everyone and there are some issues to consider
What other benefits do mesh Wi-Fi systems offer?
They’re usually controlled via an app. In some cases this exists mainly just to help you install the system in the first place, but it can also be used to monitor which devices are connected to which hub.
Some apps also let you ‘pause’ the Wi-Fi network but the best let you stop Wi-Fi on certain devices, so you could prevent your kids watching more YouTube videos, for example.
Others include parental controls or scheduling so Wi-Fi is only available at certain times or to certain devices, which is great for preventing kids having too much screen time.
Does mesh Wi-Fi replace my existing router?
No. It’s best to think of mesh system as a replacement for your existing router’s Wi-Fi. You attach one of the devices from a mesh Wi-Fi kit to a spare network port on your router and it creates a new Wi-Fi network to which all your phones, computers, tablets and Wi-Fi smart home gadgets connect.
You then place the second (and third if relevant) mesh device somewhere else in your house, typically on another floor.
The devices all talk to each other and create a single Wi-Fi network that’s both strong and fast across your entire home.
The only reason you may find you still don’t get whole-home coverage is if a) you have an extremely large home or b) your home has very thick stone, brick or concrete walls.
How does mesh Wi-Fi work?
From a technical point of view, these networks use a so-called mesh topology to communicate with each other. Then, an algorithm is used to determine what traffic should pass through which node of the network.
Connect two or more nodes to create a mesh Wi-Fi network, with one node connected to an internet modem and others scattered throughout the space. These nodes are all part of the same network and share the same independent service set identifier (SSID) and password, which makes scaling up or down very simple.
These nodes also handle the backhaul, the task of moving data back to the internet’s original access point (in this case, a mesh router). Large-scale installations, such as universities or open Wi-Fi projects in cities, often rely on mesh networks. Otherwise, traffic flow on this scale is uncontrollable.
