Question about setting up UniFi APs

[JustInspired]

I've installed a five of the pro units in a large house; same SSIDs, differing channels between adjacent units and they work OK - no complaints from the client.

I now have another job with 3 or 4 needed in another large house (large by UK standards!).
I'm toying with the idea of enabling zero hand-off so I don't get clients clinging onto a far-away AP with low signal before dropping off and connecting to a nearer one.

I've seen conflicting views on forums about ZH; some say it's the best thing since sliced bread in a low density scenario while others say it's the worst thing ever.
I'm aware some of the earlier firmware versions had some issues with ZH but these would have the latest stable version which is supposed to fix this.

So, what do you guys do in situations like this where you're installing just a few units that are reasonably well spread out with not too much overlap?
There are about 3 residents with 10 WiFi devices between them.

Same SSID for all? What about channels? Should I try ZH?

Thanks for any pointers!

*Edit: These will be controlled via our newly set up cloud controller. Thanks to YOSC for the nice tutorial!

 

[Martyn]

I've installed a five of the pro units in a large house; same SSIDs, differing channels between adjacent units and they work OK - no complaints from the client.

I now have another job with 3 or 4 needed in another large house (large by UK standards!).
I'm toying with the idea of enabling zero hand-off so I don't get clients clinging onto a far-away AP with low signal before dropping off and connecting to a nearer one.

I've seen conflicting views on forums about ZH; some say it's the best thing since sliced bread in a low density scenario while others say it's the worst thing ever.
I'm aware some of the earlier firmware versions had some issues with ZH but these would have the latest stable version which is supposed to fix this.

So, what do you guys do in situations like this where you're installing just a few units that are reasonably well spread out with not too much overlap?
There are about 3 residents with 10 WiFi devices between them.

Same SSID for all? What about channels? Should I try ZH?

Thanks for any pointers!

I will find my course notes tomorrow about this. It was discussed but I cannot remember. Did you do a Unifi course Julian?

 

[JustInspired]

I will find my course notes tomorrow about this. It was discussed but I cannot remember. Did you do a Unifi course Julian?

Thanks Martyn!
No I did not do a course with them. Yet

 

[Martyn]

I

Thanks Martyn!
No I did not do a course with them. Yet

I've got a manual if you want it? It's a free download. Pm me your email address.

 

[Martyn]

Try this link

http://dl.ubnt.com/guides/UniFi/UniFi_Controller_UG.pdf

Are you linking the units by cable then putting them on separate channels?

 

[JustInspired]

Thanks Martyn. Already had this since the first install I did last year.

 

[AndyM]

I just finished my first Ubiquiti install on Thursday. Pub/restaurant/hotel with 6 rooms. Olde worlde building, with some walls 70cm (2 feet) thick. Got the whole premesis covered with 3 AP's, all on the same SSID, with guest network enabled. Location of the AP's was made a lot easier by the use of TamoGraph Site Survey. I used the predictive survey to create a heat map, after loading a floor plan into the software, and then inputting the wall thickness's etc..

I have a second install to perform this week for the same client at another pub/restaurant/hotel. Hoping that this will also be covered by just 3 AP's.

Andy

 

[JustInspired]

I just finished my first Ubiquiti install on Thursday. Pub/restaurant/hotel with 6 rooms. Olde worlde building, with some walls 70cm (2 feet) thick. Got the whole premesis covered with 3 AP's, all on the same SSID, with guest network enabled. Location of the AP's was made a lot easier by the use of TamoGraph Site Survey. I used the predictive survey to create a heat map, after loading a floor plan into the software, and then inputting the wall thickness's etc..

I have a second install to perform this week for the same client at another pub/restaurant/hotel. Hoping that this will also be covered by just 3 AP's.

Andy

Thanks Andy.
Did you use Zero Hand-off?
or same SSID with different channels?

 

[Martyn]

Andy did you link all with Ethernet cables?

 

[AndyM]

Did you use Zero Hand-off?
or same SSID with different channels?

Same SSID, different channels. In this case with just 3 AP's, 1, 6 and 13 as they are non overlapping
(Diagram above is just an example from Tamos Website)

Andy did you link all with Ethernet cables?

All connected via Ethernet.

Andy

 

[Martyn]

Same SSID, different channels. In this case with just 3 AP's, 1, 6 and 13 as they are non overlapping
(Diagram above is just an example from Tamos Website)



All connected via Ethernet.

Andy

Do you mean 1,6,11?

 

[AndyM]

Do you mean 1,6,11?

Nope. Definitely 1,6 and 13

Andy

 

[Martyn]

Nope. Definitely 1,6 and 13

Andy

Ok thanks Andy. I found I had a couple of issues with channel 13(from memory) Spo used 11. Not with Unifi by the way. I need to get into using the Unifi series, done nothing since doing the course. I've got 3 x unify units as well!

 

[AndyM]

This is the live data as of 2 minutes ago. No problems on Channel 13

I'll probably need to get another 3 either this week or next. Already got 3 sitting in the office for the next part of this project

Andy

 

[Martyn]

View attachment 4315
This is the live data as of 2 minutes ago. No problems on Channel 13

I'll probably need to get another 3 either this week or next. Already got 3 sitting in the office for the next part of this project

Andy

Yes it's a great system. I got onto them when away in my caravan and it went from there

 

[Moltuae]

View attachment 4315
This is the live data as of 2 minutes ago. No problems on Channel 13

I generally avoid ch13 and use Channels 1, 6 and 11 when I'm installing 3 WAPs.

Ch13 will work for the most part, but some devices, particularly those configured for the US market, won't be able to connect to ch13. The channel separation from 6 to 11 is the same as from 1 to 6 anyway, so there's not much to gain using ch13 (unless you use 1-7-13).

 

[Martyn]

I generally avoid ch13 and use Channels 1, 6 and 11 when I'm installing 3 WAPs.

Ch13 will work for the most part, but some devices, particularly those configured for the US market, won't be able to connect to ch13. The channel separation from 6 to 11 is the same as from 1 to 6 anyway, so there's not much to gain using ch13 (unless you use 1-7-13).

Agreed. I know I read somewhere about it and I had a client with their router set to 13(I think it auto'd) and the computer wouldn't connect.

 

[AndyM]

I generally avoid ch13 and use Channels 1, 6 and 11 when I'm installing 3 WAPs.

Ch13 will work for the most part, but some devices, particularly those configured for the US market, won't be able to connect to ch13. The channel separation from 6 to 11 is the same as from 1 to 6 anyway, so there's not much to gain using ch13 (unless you use 1-7-13).

I hadn't thought of the client device! And as this is a pub/hotel, I think I'll change the AP on 13 to 11. Thanks

Andy