Your old router is a better dedicated access point than any mesh extender you can buy
Summary
Mesh extenders promise easy setup and seamless coverage, but reliance on wireless connections can lead to performance issues. The article highlights the importance of a wired backbone for optimal functionality in mesh networking systems.
Key Insights
Why do mesh extenders often underperform compared to a wired access point?
Mesh extenders rely on wireless backhaul connections between nodes, which halves bandwidth as each node must receive and rebroadcast signals, leading to reduced speeds and performance issues. A wired access point, like a repurposed old router, uses a dedicated Ethernet backbone for full-speed data transfer without this bottleneck.
Sources:
[1]
How can an old router be repurposed as a dedicated access point?
An old router can be configured in access point (AP) mode by disabling its DHCP server and connecting it via Ethernet to the main router, allowing it to extend the network with a wired backbone for optimal performance superior to wireless mesh extenders.
Sources:
[1]