Does using SE210 create a mesh WiFi?

[RobStuPot]

I have Sky FTTP with a SR203 WiFi router. If I add a SE210 in another room, does that expand a mesh WiFi, or is it another type of extender?

Ideally I'd want to put in multiple SE210 around my house to ensure that I have a solid 5Ghz connection on the same SSID.

[cookiemonsteruk · Accepted solution]

@RobStuPot 

That will form a mesh with the second node forming part of the mesh network 

[RobStuPot]

The first node being the sky WiFi router, and the second being the se210? Can I add more than one se210?

[cookiemonsteruk]

@RobStuPot 

You can have six nodes

The router

Any sky q main box

Any mini boxes

And any se210 mesh units

[RobStuPot]

Ok, so as I've already got a sky Q box and sky WiFi router, that's 2 out of 6 of my nodes used.

I could add 2 x se210, and 2 x sky Q minis?

If I install a sky Q mini box, does that also do the same job as an se210(obviously providing access to SkyQ at the same time) and extend the mesh WiFi?

[cookiemonsteruk]

@RobStuPot 

In terms of connecting up your smart home tech, the good news is that it isn't just the Sky Q Hub doing all of the Wi-Fi leg work. Every component of the Sky Q system – whether that's one of the main boxes or a Q Mini box – acts as a node within a home Wi-Fi mesh network.

[RobStuPot]

Sounds great, are there any downsides of using the sky kit for the mesh as opposed to a 3rd party system like tplink etc?

[TimmyBGood]

@RobStuPot 

I suspect it's worth remembering that the mesh capability of Q hardware is a free add-on rather than its primary purpose (and that Q boxes are not an ideal shape for good wireless propagation).

[jamesn123]

@RobStuPot 

Need to keep in mind adding more mesh nodes may actually slow your WiFi down. Adding boosters where they are not needed can cause total network stalls & slowdowns

[Chrisee]

@RobStuPot Inwould support what @jamesn123 and @TimmyBGood say. I used the Q mesh for some years and definitely found less is more.

Having fewer nodes with faster backhaul worked well. In my case I used powerline adapters to improve the backhaul of the 2 most distant of my 4 nodes (both Q TV boxes). That setup was much faster than using boosters to get a reliable signal to those units. Each wifi jump halves the overall speed so while the number of nodes you need depends on the layout of your home but try to use the minmum you can..