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<div name="messageBodySection" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;">Sorry, I mis-spoke. I actually am just looking for an AP.
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<div>I have a (Debian) gateway machine that is connected to the wireless, the Internet, and the file server via 3 separate wired ethernets. I don’t like the idea of commercial software connected to the Internet.</div>
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<div>I was looking at TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Dual Band Wireless AC Gigabit Router <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BUSDVBQ?ref_=ams_ad_dp_ttl">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BUSDVBQ?ref_=ams_ad_dp_ttl</a> for $80 (I have Prime).</div>
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<div>Are there just APs that are better price/performance?</div>
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<div>Thanks again</div>
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<div class="matchFont">../Dave</div>
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<div name="messageReplySection" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;">On Mar 31, 2019, 8:56 AM -0400, James Knott via talk <talk@gtalug.org>, wrote:<br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="margin: 5px 5px; padding-left: 10px; border-left: thin solid #1abc9c;">On 03/30/2019 11:10 PM, D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk wrote:<br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="margin: 5px 5px; padding-left: 10px; border-left: thin solid #e67e22;">| From: David Mason via talk <talk@gtalug.org><br />
<br />
| We’ve had a DLINK DIR-628 for quite a while.<br />
<br />
There's a new standard since then: 802.11ac. Confusing, because there<br />
already were 802.11a and 802.11c.<br /></blockquote>
<br />
That's why 802.11ax is called WiFi 6. They've assigned other numbers,<br />
such as 5 to 802.11ac.<br />
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11ax<br />
<br />
However, it's getting to the point where the improvements don't benefit<br />
individual users much. For example, MIMO improves performance for<br />
multiple users more than individuals. The main benefit for individuals<br />
would be somewhat greater distance, due to beam forming or focusing the<br />
signal in one direction.<br />
<br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="margin: 5px 5px; padding-left: 10px; border-left: thin solid #e67e22;"><br />
There's been a race to be able to claim speed in wireless routers.<br />
They use multiple antennae to allow multiple devices to be supported<br />
at one time (beamforming?).<br />
<br />
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11ac><br />
<br />
These advantages depend on the clients supporting 802.11ac.<br /></blockquote>
<br />
802.11ac is becoming common these days. My Pixel 2 phone, which I<br />
bought over a year ago supports it.<br />
802,11ax supports MIMO in both directions, whereas 802.11ac only on<br />
transmit.<br />
<br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="margin: 5px 5px; padding-left: 10px; border-left: thin solid #e67e22;"><br />
Enthusiast routers have gotten more expensive and look more like<br />
aggressive alien space ships. Just look at this one:<br />
<br />
<https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADGE5R87033><br /></blockquote>
<br />
They are also capable of much more. Some support mesh, where multiple<br />
APs can work together to provide seamless coverage over a large area.<br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="margin: 5px 5px; padding-left: 10px; border-left: thin solid #e67e22;"><br />
I like the idea of OpenWRT but don't actually use it. Even though<br />
I have two wireless routers, I only use them as APs -- the routing<br />
functions are not used. So my advice about consumer wireless routers<br />
is pretty theoretical. For gateways (including the routing function),<br />
I use little PCs running CentOS or Fedora.<br /></blockquote>
<br />
I prefer separate APs and routers. Many APs support power over Ethernet<br />
(PoE), so you don't have to worry about having power near where the AP<br />
works best. Mine's at the top of the wall in my laundry room, which<br />
puts it roughly in the middle of my condo.<br />
<br />
<br />
O'Reilly has some good WiFi books, by Michael Gast. Recommended reading<br />
if you really want to learn about WiFi.<br />
<br />
---<br />
Talk Mailing List<br />
talk@gtalug.org<br />
https://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk<br /></blockquote>
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