A new type of Wi-Fi router system is gaining popularity \u2013 The MESH network.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although MESH networks are not a new invention, the technology has\nevolved apace recently and prices have fallen so as to make them an affordable\noption for home owners and small firms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A MESH system is a series of interlinking mini hubs. The main hub connects\ndirectly to your existing router or modem, with a series of satellite nodes\nplaced around your property. They are all part of a single network and share\nthe same SSID \/ password, so there\u2019s no need to change your login credentials as\nyou move around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically, they come as a twin or triple-pack to place around your\nproperty. The nodes continuously \u2018talk\u2019 to each other acting as \u2018hop-points\u2019.\nThis activity allows points farthest from the main router to deliver a strong and\nconsistent Wi-Fi signal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They are better than traditional range extenders (repeaters) and Power\nLine Access Points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Range extenders can<\/em> do a\ngood job of filling in dead zones. But they typically provide only half the\nbandwidth you get from your main router. Range extenders just \u2018repeat\u2019 a signal\nand this re-broadcasting process degrades the more times its repeated. Plus,\nthe re-broadcast generates a new network and SSID so you will have to log in\nagain as you move around. What\u2019s more, your device will often stay latched onto\nthe first network until it’s completely out of range. That means you\u2019ll drag around\na weaker connection until you manually switch to the stronger one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Powerline Access points offer more bandwidth than range extenders, however their success will depend on the state of the electrical wiring in the property. There is no easy way to check this other than buying a system and trying it. And remember, your wiring will be impacted by electrical interference from other nearby equipment – especially microwaves, power tools, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By contrast, MESH systems are more powerful and less hassle than\nthese alternatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MESH systems are comparatively easy to set up. Most offer simple network management\nvia a user-friendly mobile app. The app\ntells you where to place each node for maximum coverage and chooses the best\nWi-Fi channel and radio band for optimal performance. They are also\nsurprisingly good looking and stylishly designed. No horrible antennas or\nflashing lights so you don\u2019t have to hide them away. Being out in the open will\nalso improve performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MESH prices have come down considerably in the last 12 months. Systems can\nnow be purchased sub \u00a3100 but you can still pay north of \u00a3400. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The IDNet support team will continue to test MESH products, but so far, we\u2019ve found two clear favourites from units tested \u2013 both come from the same manufacturer – Tenda<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nova MW3 provides up to 300 square metres of Wi-Fi coverage, and the Nova MW6 up to an impressive 600 square metres of coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both systems use the latest Smart Auto-path Selection\ntechnology to create a blanket network around your property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both were painless to set up. We plugged one device into our\nbroadband router. Plugged the others into power points around the property. Then\nwe simply used the mobile app to manage the individual units, meshing them into\none Wi-Fi network, and importantly, observing their connection quality. We were\nthen able to move them around to optimise the signal. It was all quite\nstraightforward and quick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At a price point of around \u00a385 + vat the MW3 is easily the best\nvalue product on the market! It has no competition at this price especially when\nyou consider the BT Whole Home Wi-Fi kit is twice the cost at \u00a3200. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The MW3 system brought to life Wi-Fi dead zones in the\nproperties we tested. With practically zero configuration we were able to\nstream 4K video and perform bandwidth hungry tasks over the entire footprint of\nthe spaces we tested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The app also allows you to implement parental controls, to\ndisable or enable groups of devices, to create a guest Wi-Fi network separate\nfrom your main one, to set up QoS for traffic prioritisation, and to block\nunauthorised users. Amazing features for this price! <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nMW3 units are unobtrusive white cubes measuring just 90mm x 90mm. They will complement\nthe d\u00e9cor of any modern home or office. They worked perfectly out of the box\nand are highly recommended for most regular sized homes and small offices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a larger home, an unusual shaped property or split-level office configuration, then the MW6 is a suitable upgrade. Like it\u2019s little brother, it performed well across the properties we tested, but additionally it reached more comfortably into attics, gardens, out-buildings, nooks and crannies around a much wider footprint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In\nour tests it also demonstrated impressive solid wall penetration and seamless\nWi-Fi roaming. We were able to walk from room to room without losing connection\nwhile making a lag-free video call!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nova\u2019s Automatic network optimization is designed to keep you online. It automatically maintains your network status as you move about. So, if one Nova is disconnected it will reconnect to an available Nova to keep you online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Set\nup was a doddle using the app. The Tenda Wifi app is available for iOS and\nAndroid devices. You scan the QR code on the base of the first mesh point and\nthe app will automatically switch your device over to the new Nova network, and\nconnect the Nova to IDNet Internet for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone interested in the detailed technical\nspecification should know that each mesh unit supports Wi-Fi protocols IEEE\n802.11ac\/a\/n at 5GHz and up to 867Mbps, and IEEE 802.11b\/g\/n at 2.4GHz and up\nto 300Mbps. They support MU-MIMO, WPA2-PSK security, wireless roaming, DHCP,\nUPnP, IPsec, PPTP and L2TP. The MW6 units also support beamforming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The MW6 is on the market for around \u00a3150 + vat and is still excellent value compared to other products on the market aimed at larger properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAre MESH systems a better alternative to existing wi-fi boosting solutions? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In a word, YES! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Introducing the Tenda Nova MW3 and\nMW6 MESH systems <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/everythingconnected.idnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/MW31.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTenda Nova MW3<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/everythingconnected.idnet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/nova6.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTenda Nova MW6<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n