Upgrading AIMesh with XT8s and connecting to other building

[Snapper]

I’m a forum newbie, and fairly new to the black arts of Wifi, so I hope this makes sense….

I would appreciate some advice on enhancing my existing AIMesh system of 4 x ZenWiFi XT8s connected with TPLink gigabit powerline ethernet adapters (ethernet cabling is not an option). We have a 300Mb UK fibre internet service into a 5 bed brick-built house.

I need to support 4K streaming, video conferencing via MS Teams, and about 25 client devices, one of which has Wifi 7.

The trigger for the upgrade is the requirement to extend the network to a garden building about 20 metres from the main router, where a trial XT8 mesh node gets a weak signal (yellow LED) and speeds are rubbish. Cable or powerline ethernet are not options.

My initial though was to buy a more powerful router and use the XT8s as mesh nodes. Then, with the replaced XT8 router moved to the garden building, if the new router signal is strong enough then fine, otherwise I’m considering a point-to-point Wifi bridge (overkill?).

The other issue is Wifi 6 or Wifi 7. I'm thinking Wifi 6 is well established and fairly stable, but Wifi 7 is more powerful and is future-proofing. In time the other nodes and more clients will be Wifi 7.

I’m not budget sensitive, but I want to avoid a system which is overkill for my setup. For the new main router I’ve shortlisted RT-BE92U and Zenwifi BT10 for Wifi 7, and RT-AX86U Pro and Zenwifi Pro XT12 for Wifi6. Then I lost the will…

So: Is there any point in changing the main router? Do any have a stronger radio signal than XT8s? If so, would I need one also in the garden building? Which routers will work reliably with the XT8s in AIMesh while not being over-spec’ed? Is a point-to-point Wifi bridge the only way to reach the garden building?

I’d be very grateful for some sage words from you Wifi-hardened people who can list all the ways I’m going wrong, and tell me Wifi is really very simple.

TIA

 

[degrub]

Forget WIFI 7 for now unless you want to be a beta tester for another year or two. It doesn't offer any advantage for point to point . You just need a point to point wireless bridge. Look at offerings from TPLink OMADA or Ubiquity for exterior mounted 5GHz and/or 2.4 GHz band bridges. WIFI 6 should be more than adequate. WIFI 5 would probably be good enough for the point to point. They should be completely transparent to the rest of the network.

If you don't use exterior bridge, you will need to have both devices sitting in a window with direct line of sight. Energy efficient , double or triple layer, coated windows can interfere with some signals.

WIFI is really simple. Marketing and physics make it difficult.

 

[Tech9]

My initial though was to buy a more powerful router

There is no more powerful router. All the routers on the UK market are limited to 100mW on 2.4GHz band and 200mW on 5GHz band non-DFS range. The differences in usable range will be minimal.

but Wifi 7 is more powerful and is future-proofing

It's actually weaker with less range and wall penetration. Outdoor 6GHz band use in the UK is allowed, but limited to Very Low Power of 25mW and practically unusable for any range extension purposes.

 

[Tech9]

I’ve shortlisted RT-BE92U and Zenwifi BT10 for Wifi 7

Save your money. The two models generated long issues threads on SNB Forums. If you want better Wi-Fi system move away from the consumer market and explore SMB options with indoor and outdoor access points options. Your PLA links are weak spot limiting the performance and eventual point of failure. In challenging environments the first thing to is build Ethernet infrastructure. When not possible from inside - explore outside options. If you own the property and can do modifications - paintable cable channels are available.

 

[Snapper]

Save your money. The two models generated long issues threads on SNB Forums. If you want better Wi-Fi system move away from the consumer market and explore SMB options with indoor and outdoor access points options. Your PLA links are weak spot limiting the performance and eventual point of failure. In challenging environments the first thing to is build Ethernet infrastructure. When not possible from inside - explore outside options. If you own the property and can do modifications - paintable cable channels are available

Forget WIFI 7 for now unless you want to be a beta tester for another year or two. It doesn't offer any advantage for point to point . You just need a point to point wireless bridge. Look at offerings from TPLink OMADA or Ubiquity for exterior mounted 5GHz and/or 2.4 GHz band bridges. WIFI 6 should be more than adequate. WIFI 5 would probably be good enough for the point to point. They should be completely transparent to the rest of the network.

If you don't use exterior bridge, you will need to have both devices sitting in a window with direct line of sight. Energy efficient , double or triple layer, coated windows can interfere with some signals.

WIFI is really simple. Marketing and physics make it difficult.

Many thanks for your advice. I've just ordered a Ubiquiti LOCO5AC bridge, and will report back. I'll try the transmitter behind a window with the receiver externally fitted, line of site. If no good, I'll mount the transmitter externally.