Recommendation for a privacy respecting Wifi mesh system?

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I'm also looking for a good WiFi mesh, preferably one that can be used with IoT devices (aka. Even without an internet connection).

I tried TP-Link Deca, but the mesh refuses LAN communication if the router doesn't have a constant and stable connection to the internet - A feature I previously believed to be given - making it unusable for IoT and for providing WiFi at remote locations.

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If you are willing to do your homework:
https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/start

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This is what I did. Flashed OpenWRT on all devices and enabled the 802.11r stuff. My "mesh" is just multiple APs connected by ethernet and fast BSSID handover.

802.11s is a mesh where it's all done over Wifi. 802.11r uses ethernet for comms between APs.

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I considered OpenWRT at first, but right now I do not have the time, or the will, to start learning about the project. It sure looks like something I will probably do in the future, but as of now I just need a commercially available solution.

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GL. Inet is a commercial product running OpenWRT in the background

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Do you have requirements for the WiFi Standard?

Do you want to build up a new system or adding to your current setup?

For the price point you could look into the AVM Fritz Ecosystem. Their Mesh solution is quite hassle free and for 200€ you could get WiFi 5 capable devices on the used market.

Not sure how well they work with other brands, so you might want to invest in a FritzBox and FritzRepeater (should be in the budget used).

Anything above WiFi 5 could be out of your price range, especially new.

Ubiquity APs with WiFi 5 could be in your budget, even new. Look into the AP HD. You will need a controller installation though, weither on your desktop or on a NAS, Server. You do NOT need to buy an appliance from them for management. They do not make it clear on their website.

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Maybe https://www.gl-inet.com/

As I understand their stuff runs a custom OpenWRT, so you can use them as-is, or if you want vanilla OpenWRT it's very easy to flash them.

As far as Mesh goes I'm not sure how they would do, for mesh to perform well you need a system that has dedicated mesh radios in the 5/6ghz bands, and only the more expensive mesh systems typically have that.

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If you can handle steep learning curve with less proven stability, Mikrotik.

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I ditched Netgear due to poor performance and went with Ubiquiti. I'm fortunate that I could afford to buy a console for management but if you're willing to self-host then there is no cost there. You could then get several APs (they have some as low as $99) and you're all set.

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I tried TP-Link Deca, but the mesh refuses LAN communication if the router doesn't have a constant and stable connection to the internet

that's ridiculous

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Yeah, I even wrote TP-Link an E-mail about this, but they wrote back that that was just how the device worked, that they could not recommend any of their mesh solutions which could provide a stable WiFi connection even without internet, and that they obviously couldn't recommend any devices from competitors.

My image of TP-Link might have taken a hit as result as I believed this to be a fundamental and implied feature.

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FYI all ubiquity aps I ever bought broke within 5 years. Ymmv

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You can just setup an extender where you need it. That is what I have. No real need for mesh unless your place is really big.

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It might be helpful to specify your network needs. The system you linked is a WiFi 5 system. That's 10+ year old technology.

What kind of speeds are you looking for? Will your access points be wired or wireless?

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The system you linked is a WiFi 5 system. That’s 10+ year old technology.

I feel old... First adopted in 2013

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considered OpenWRT [...] now I just need a commercially available solution.

FWIW you can buy OpenWRT based hardware, no tinkering, e.g. https://www.turris.com/en/products/omnia/

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My wifi 5 APs from unity get 450-500mbps. The wifi 6 APs get between 300 and 600. Only the expensive 7 pro max get noticeably more, 2.3Gbps, but the wifi 5 is more than enough for 95% of people out there.

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Does it have to be new? I can consistently find used ac lites from unifi on Kleinanzeigen.de for 50€, I got two of those and later a 6 lite for another 50€, that's half my network. They are old and out of warranty, but use very low power and have really decent speeds (~500mbps).

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It is probably Chinese junk, but I'm using a set of cudy m3000 WiFi6 mesh devices that run openwrt. Could be worth looking into. They are about as cheap as I've seen. There should be WiFi7 versions out nowish /soon.

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Interesting. When I upgraded from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6 it was a significant upgrade but there are a ton of other factors that play into what actual speeds a user may get.

I was more just interested in getting more details about OPs needs as OP basically only provided a budget, which makes it a bit difficult to give advice.

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Recommendation for a privacy respecting Wifi mesh system?