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linux_router:wifi [2025-08-24 Sun wk34 11:49] – [References] baumkplinux_router:wifi [2025-10-18 Sat wk42 11:25] (current) – [Wifi Router / Access Points] baumkp
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 I prefer to run higher quality wifi access points (AP) than the all in one type routers.   My current router is X86 based running Linux Nftables on bare metal and Bind9 and Kea as well as some other services in Docker on a VM. I prefer to run higher quality wifi access points (AP) than the all in one type routers.   My current router is X86 based running Linux Nftables on bare metal and Bind9 and Kea as well as some other services in Docker on a VM.
  
-My house is reasonably large,single level, so I run 2 wifi APs connected via Ethernet for better overall coverage.  The AP Ethernet connection is a technically better simpler solution that so call Mesh wifi, which effectively are wifi repeater solution.  The modern mesh solutions tend to use a separate mesh radio band for the interconnection which is more performance than the old fashion in band AP range extenders that were in band.  The AP Ethernet solution generally has the best performance in terms of latency and reliability compared to any wifi solution. Ethernet speed is also usually much more reliable and ultimately faster, although this depends upon the equipment. Also this solution was available many years before the "Mesh router solutions" were popularized.  The biggest reason the Mesh Wifi routers are popular is they to not need ethernet cables to be run.  They can simply be placed and powered from local power connectors.+My house is reasonably large,single level, so I run 2 wifi APs connected via Ethernet for better overall coverage.  The AP Ethernet connection is a technically better simpler solution that so call Mesh wifi, which effectively are wifi repeater solution.  The modern mesh solutions tend to use a separate mesh radio band for the interconnection which is more performant than the old fashion AP range extenders that were in band.  The AP Ethernet solution generally has the best performance in terms of latency and reliability compared to any wifi solution. Ethernet speed is also usually much more reliable and ultimately faster, although this depends upon the equipment. Also this solution was available many years before the "Mesh router solutions" were popularized.  The biggest reason the Mesh Wifi routers are popular is they to not need ethernet cables to be run.  They can simply be placed and powered from local power connectors.
  
 Wifi performance is generally oversold.  For example, a 3200Mb/s connection 5GHz ac connection is the best theoretical band width real life speeds are normally much lower.  Also wifi bandwidth is shared between clients, so if you have 2 clients using the 5GHz ac the theoretical 3200Mb/s is more likely to be maximum 1600Mb/s.  The wifi speed is also very sensitive to distance between the wifi router and the client and any walls in between. The wifi speed is also very sensitive to radio interference, in particular from other neighboring wifi routers in dense urban areas.  I use to turn on my microwave oven and my wifi 2.4GHz connection would drop out!  The actual achievable speeds are more complex than this, however the key point is that the advertised speeds are very-very optimistic.  Wifi performance is generally oversold.  For example, a 3200Mb/s connection 5GHz ac connection is the best theoretical band width real life speeds are normally much lower.  Also wifi bandwidth is shared between clients, so if you have 2 clients using the 5GHz ac the theoretical 3200Mb/s is more likely to be maximum 1600Mb/s.  The wifi speed is also very sensitive to distance between the wifi router and the client and any walls in between. The wifi speed is also very sensitive to radio interference, in particular from other neighboring wifi routers in dense urban areas.  I use to turn on my microwave oven and my wifi 2.4GHz connection would drop out!  The actual achievable speeds are more complex than this, however the key point is that the advertised speeds are very-very optimistic.