Daisy chain vs. Mesh-How to boost your wifi signal
Do you have poor wifi connectivity at your home and are looking to enhance it? You can either choose to daisy chain routers or buy a mesh network system. Find out how the two techniques differ.
My family prefers living far away from all the noise and chaos found in big cities. Living in our ranch is quite peaceful for everybody since we get to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. This does not, however, mean that we are cut out from technology. Everybody at home uses wifi in one way or the other. We, however, have been experiencing poor internet since we rely on a traditional router. When we started looking for ways to change this, we came across different techniques such as daisy chaining routers and buying a mesh. We had to compare both techniques to find out what would work the best for us. Here is what we discovered.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the daisy chain and mesh?
Name |
Daisy chain |
Mesh (Winner) |
Connection |
Linking two routers together |
Extending wifi with different nodes |
Speed |
Download speed-75 Mbps
Upload speed-25 Mbps |
Download speed-300Mbps
Upload speed-150 Mbps |
Set up |
Complicated |
Easy |
Call to action |
Daisy chain vs. Mesh- How do they compare?
Operation
Traditional routers are known to broadcast wifi from one point. When you choose to daisy chain such routers, you may not get the best internet connection compared to replacing them with a mesh network system. This is known to broadcast wifi through different access points. Traditional routers still have a small network range, and therefore daisy-chaining them may not completely solve your wifi problems.
Connection
If you choose the daisy chain option, you have to connect different routers via an Ethernet cable. This is an option that people on a budget choose when they have cheap routers and need fast internet connections.
A mesh system, on the other hand, comes with different nodes. While one of the nodes is connected to the modem, the rest are placed around the house to create a superior wireless network. Unlike trying to link two traditional routers, the different nodes of a mesh are all part of a similar network. They even share the same password and SSID.
Set up
If you don’t have a lot of experience with solving network problems, you should choose a simple solution such as mesh. The setup of a mesh network system is quite easy compared to daisy-chaining routers. When you choose a mesh, you can even extend your wifi coverage even further by adding an extra node to your connection.
Performance
Most of the routers in a daisy chain connection deliver a maximum speed rate of up to 450 Mbps on the network. Mesh network systems, on the other hand, can deliver maximum speeds of up to 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.
Daisy chain vs. Mesh-A comparison overview
Daisy chain
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Most of the traditional routers do not stretch the wifi coverage throughout a big house. If you have such a router, you may even notice a weakening of the internet connection when you are far away from it. This makes it hard to browse the internet or use so many devices simultaneously. Some people try to solve such issues by connecting two routers using a wired connection. This is what is known as a daisy chain.
It is a practical solution when you have two old routers lying around your home. Choosing the daily chain topology can help you save on costs since you don’t have to spend buying more devices. All you need is an extra Ethernet cable to complete the connection. Though daisy-chaining two wireless routers can boost your wifi signal, it is not the easiest process for a beginner.
While the first router acts as the main source of your network, the second router helps you extend the network coverage throughout the house. For you to daisy chain them, you should have an existing wireless network setup. Connect the second router to your computer, then log in and configure the settings of the second router. For you to avoid any problems configuring it, you need to follow the guidelines that come with the router step by step.
Once this is done, you should then disable the DHCP on the second router. This refers to the protocol which is responsible for assigning an IP address to multiple devices on the network. You have to disable this protocol on the second router so that you allow only the first router to assign IP addresses to the different devices on the network. Skipping this step can cause a lot of issues on your local network.
You should then confirm the subnet that your first router uses as well as the IP addresses. You then have to assign the second router an IP address through the LAN settings tab. Connect the second router to the LAN port of your first router. The network should recognize the second router as an extension of your initial router.
You can then plug in the second router to the first one using an Ethernet cable. You should also lock down the second router to enhance the safety of your network connection. Assign a password for your router and enjoy your connection. You also get the liberty of adjusting some of the settings according to your internet needs.
Pros
- It can help you extend your network
- You don’t need to but expensive systems when you have two old routers
Cons
- Some people find the process complicated
Mesh
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Mesh refers to the home wifi system that is used to eliminate any dead zones. It can give you uninterrupted wifi coverage across the entire house. If you have a big house that features separate regions such as the basement or garage, you can extend your wifi coverage by choosing a mesh network.
When you have a lot of devices at the house, you need to invest in a mesh since it can give you great internet speed and a reliable connection. A mesh comes with different units that are often referred to as nodes. The first unit is connected to your internet modem and serves as the main hub. The other units that form part of this system can capture and even rebroadcast the wifi signal. You can place the rest of the nodes at different spots around the house. The nodes have to communicate with one another so that they can reroute traffic if one of them fails.
Choosing a mesh can, therefore, help you enjoy a strong signal regardless of your location around the house. Investing in a mesh enables you to enjoy a single sturdy network throughout. You don’t have to keep on signing in to a different network when you move from one floor to the next. The mesh technology is known to be intuitive and smart. Even if one of the mesh nodes fails, you can continue using the internet without any limitations.
The simple management and set up of mesh also attract lots of customers to this wifi solution. Most of the mesh routers that are available in the market also contain different network settings to put you in control of your internet. You not only get the chance to check the speed of your internet but also regulate the sites that your children can access online through features such as parental controls and web filtering.
Some of the advanced mesh systems not only work as a router but also a smart hub. You can, therefore, integrate the mesh with other smart devices through a mobile app. The nodes of a mesh network system facilitate seamless roaming. Since mesh routers make use of adaptive routing, they ensure that you always receive the fastest internet speeds.
Pros
- Mesh nodes are self-healing
- They provide reliable and fast internet speeds
- Eliminate dead zones
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- They are expensive
Conclusion
There are different methods that people use to boost the wifi signal in homes. While some buy mesh network systems, others try to connect two routers with an Ethernet cable. This process is what is called, creating a daisy chain. Though both options can help you get more network coverage, one is better than the other.
Verdict:So, which is better? Daisy chain or Mesh
One of the things that we were prioritizing when comparing different techniques to enhance wifi in our home was an uncomplicated setup. We settled for mesh since it came with simple installation guidelines. For one to daisy chain two routers, you have to understand how to adjust a router’s DHCP and change the IP addresses. This seemed to be a complicated process for us. We also liked all the new features that came with a mesh network system such as parental controls, seamless roaming, and self-healing. We concluded that a mesh network system is better than the daisy chain option.
FAQs
Can mesh systems work in a brick house?
Yes. These systems are designed to boost the wifi signal in houses with various conditions. You should, however, compare the different models available and a powerful one.
Is daisy chain the best wifi signal solution for my home?
No. Though connecting two old routers using an Ethernet cable can extend wifi coverage, it may not be as reliable as a mesh network system.
