Advice on home network: AirPort Extreme or something else?

[whyrichard]

Hello,

I have a home network which is flaking out on me and it drives me a little nuts when it happens.... wondering what you all have as a suggestion.

CONTEXT:
-Internet Provider: I have been using Verizon Fios in Queens New York for the past few years. I recently also installed Spectrum, as the Fios seems to conk out every time it rains... TBD if Spectrum is more reliable... (Verizon was not helpful to fix the rain issue)

-Network structure: I have the internet hooked up to an old AirPort Extreme Base Station, the tall columns one... And from there I have ethernet going to my Roon Server, my Desktop Mini, and my Roon Streamer attached to my stereo.

-Wifi Accessories: I also have a few at times 3 iPads running off wifi, my GF's laptop, an ecobee thermostat with 2 remote sensors, and about 14 smart plugs, two sensible split mini controllers, two humidifiers... two raspberry pi's running roopiee an Apple TV 4K for my HomeKit hub, I think thats about it. !

PROBLEMS:
-Once or twice a day, all or most of my HomeKit devices looses connection for a while. I restart my Apple TV, no or little effect. Restarting my AirPort Express seems to work and all devices connect.
-Roon seems to be so slow that it is unusable a few times a day. Given the internet speed tests report back "very fast", it seems it is something else... Roon doesn't report any slowdowns... what about my network is slowing it down?

QUESTIONS:
-Can I get more reliable internet / wifi / roon somehow with my existing equipment?
-Do I need to upgrade my WIFI router? (It is an AirPort Extreme, the last version, about 12 years old....!)
--if I need a new WIFI router, what do you all recommend? Most a Mac environment, except the Raspberry Pi's and the Streamer for my stereo... I would need it to have at least 3 ethernet ports going out...

ANY SUGGESTIONS MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!
Thank you,
Richard

 

[Bigwaff]

What is square footage you trying to cover? What are your walls made of, wood? Brick? Plaster? How many walls between AE and farthest device?

 

[whyrichard]

It’s a small 3 story with plaster walls. Each floor about 500sqft

 

[Bigwaff]

Is AE located on 2nd floor? Have you ever cleaned or blew out dust from inside the AE? Is the AE located where air can flow and heat can dissipate?

 

[whyrichard]

Hi,

So I just tried to setup a

NETGEAR Nighthawk Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router (RS280S) - Router Only​

And man, what a debacle. It took forever, and when finally setup, I used the same Network name and password as before, and I was really hoping that my HomeKit devices would connect again automatically... BUT IT SEEMS NOT THE CASE???!!!

Is there a way to not have to reset literally the two dozen smart devices I have around my home manually to the new network, even if the network name and password are identical to before?

Thanks,
R

 

[whyrichard]

I would even return this Netgear thing and get a different wifi router if it meant I didn't have to completely reset all of my HomeKit devices, Roon devices, etc,....

 

[whyrichard]

never mind a typo on the network name! fixed it! sheesh....

 

[MarineBand5524]

I've absolutely loved Ubiquiti and Unifi. Especially for a 3 story house. You can go wireless or wired.

 

[Howard2k]

never mind a typo on the network name! fixed it! sheesh....

Been there!

 

[hobowankenobi]

Hi,

So I just tried to setup a

NETGEAR Nighthawk Tri-Band WiFi 7 Router (RS280S) - Router Only​

And man, what a debacle. It took forever, and when finally setup, I used the same Network name and password as before, and I was really hoping that my HomeKit devices would connect again automatically... BUT IT SEEMS NOT THE CASE???!!!

Is there a way to not have to reset literally the two dozen smart devices I have around my home manually to the new network, even if the network name and password are identical to before?

Thanks,
R

My experience is...no, there is not.

My hunch is that there is some unique network ID info that gets validated, to prevent hoping between same-named networks, which could enable all sorts of shenanigans. One could effectively spoof an entire network, just by cloning a name.

 

[hobowankenobi]

As for routers, a decent wifi 6 or better model should be an upgrade. If wanted full featured with parental controls or better security controls and options, take a look at Synology. Their firmware/OS runs circles around most consumer grade routers.

Yep, 12 years is very long in the tooth for consumer electronics.


If you want the best in class, a decent router plus 2 or 3 Unifi APs is the ticket. I have 3, with one dedicated for outside with a directional antenna, and I can stream airplay through the yard and beyond with zero issues.

 

[Howard2k]

My experience is...no, there is not.

My hunch is that there is some unique network ID info that gets validated, to prevent hoping between same-named networks, which could enable all sorts of shenanigans. One could effectively spoof an entire network, just by cloning a name.

Believe it or not, you can routinely do this (new router, same SSID and security as old). But adding security to your Wifi prevents the spoofing issue in most cases.