Team-BHP - On Wi-Fi & Routers

Quote:

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki (Post 5116696)

I am planning to buy a router UPS. From whatever listing I see on Amazon, Cuzor, Resonate, Zinq are the most purchased and reviewed brands. Are all of them equally good? Or is there any particular one that is works better overall?

Thanks

Been using Resonate for almost an year now. Works like a charm. Haven’t found the need to even look at it post-installation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki (Post 5116696)

I have been using Resonate for more than 1.5 years and I picked up Zinq for my second bridged router 3 months back. My need was for a back-up for less than a minute till the apartment DG kicked in and so far both of them have been performing for my expectations.

When I bought Resonate, I nearly paid 3000 from a shop as Amazon was not delivering last year due to Covid restrictions. This year I saw Zinq with quite some positive reviews and paid half of what I had picked Resonate for.

Both of them have nearly the same dimensions and LED light indications that unless you really pay attention, you may not be able to distinguish between both.

EDIT: When buying either of them, do check the output rating (9V,12V) based on the output of your AC Power adapter of the router and buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by civic-sense (Post 5117182)

How about Luminous?

https://www.flipkart.com/luminous-lm...m5b20cfee55231

BTW, if the router is backed up by a home UPS, does a router UPS provide any additional advantage?

None. Router UPS is when you need backup only for the router alone. With full home UPS and the power supply to router through the UPS backup, you are pretty much covered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by civic-sense (Post 5117182)

if the router is backed up by a home UPS, does a router UPS provide any additional advantage?

I don't think so. Our inverter will run 5-10 hours supporting my PC, router, etc, plus normal household lighting and fans. If we have a power cut longer than one hour, we are probably starting the generator anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by civic-sense (Post 5117182)

BTW, if the router is backed up by a home UPS, does a router UPS provide any additional advantage?

I have two broadband connections and both terminate behind the TV. Big plus of a UPS is that you can power your TV as well. I use a firestick and it is really annoying and time consuming to get back to your content post a reset. UPS solves that problem. Pardon my strong views but, UPS is way more VFM. Router UPS'es are nothing more than a powerbank with wires.

In final stages of our office renovation and all the wifi router/access point are high up on the wall hence looking for options that look sleek and don't have antennas. Ubiquiti is the only brand I know of that is sleek disc design. What are my other options?

It's an open office format with some glass partitions for conference rooms,etc. I think we will need atleast 5 wifi points but confused if these need a wifi modem or access points?

My knowledge on this is limited so will be great to get some expert help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil (Post 5117502)

Try googling about Mesh routers from tp-link. This is really a good option for your requirement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil (Post 5117502)

How many users are there in office ? More then the router itself, "backend" can be more imp (say if you need to manage WiFi passwords for 50 users). For small teams, you can get away with giving everyone the same password.

In terms of routers, all brands have these options.

https://www.amazon.in/Cisco-Business...dp/B08PDXQVC2/

https://www.amazon.in/TP-LINK-EAP245...dp/B01N0XZ1TU/

https://www.amazon.in/D-LINK-DAP%E2%...dp/B07CBMXLQJ/

These are just examples, use something that your hardware vendor can easily support.

Quote:

Originally Posted by civic-sense (Post 5117182)

BTW, if the router is backed up by a home UPS, does a router UPS provide any additional advantage?

Well, one situation I can think of is when the home UPS overloads and trips. I got into this situation quite a few times recently, usually happens when mom unknowingly plugs in the ironbox or induction cooktop to an outlet powered by the UPS :Frustrati I am not an internet zombie who can't live without it for a moment, but these days with WFH in full swing, it's a matter of concern with online meetings and such. Planning to buy a router UPS to work around this situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by civic-sense (Post 5117182)

...

BTW, if the router is backed up by a home UPS, does a router UPS provide any additional advantage?

Most of us use a router UPS to get around the momentary outage caused by the power supply switching between mains & DG backup. Doesn't apply to seamless UPS backup.

There may be a use case where you want to isolate your router's power supply from the rest of the home/office for some reason, but that's a niche example.

Quote:

Originally Posted by autospeaker (Post 5117530)

Try googling about Mesh routers from tp-link. This is really a good option for your requirement.

What’s the difference between a mesh and putting a few access points like the ones mentioned below by Netfreak?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 5117549)

Thanks! 50 users is about right however we don’t need separate passwords. One password is fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil (Post 5117502)

Ubiquiti is the only brand I know of that is sleek disc design.

For offices, I would recommend Cisco APs probably. You can get the ones with internal antennas as well.

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil (Post 5118424)

Thanks! 50 users ...One password is fine.

In this case, ideal solution would be :

System that can "hide" itself well
Can be powered by Ethernet cables
Easily replaceable in next 4 - 5 years (one of them will fail)
Something that IT vendor / team can easily configure

You would need 3 of these (maybe buy 4 and keep 1 as spare). You can start with 2 and add others later if office will not be staffed fully on day 1.

https://www.amazon.in/TP-Link-Omada-.../dp/B07NMZR3F1

Strongly recommend to discuss this with your IT vendor.

These APs will do the job of mesh as well. You can achieve the same purpose with consumer mesh too (such as TP Link Deco). couple of points :

Ensure that all units are connected via Ethernet
Each unit will require a AC socket.

https://www.amazon.in/TP-Link-Deco-X...dp/B07G38STYN/