If you want WiFi in a larger apartment that provides adequate signal strength everywhere, the best solution is to install a mesh system. In terms of its function, this set-up is similar to working with one or more signal amplifiers, or possibly setting up an extra router, but it is a very important advantage that in the case of a mesh network, the gadgets that provide the WiFi backbone can also communicate with each other. In practice, this means that the network devices that provide the backbone can easily and optimally distribute the clients connected to them to each other in order to always provide them with good signal strength and adequate speed.
We tested the Cudy M1800, which can be purchased in single, double and triple packages. Of course, no matter which set you choose, it is possible to expand it later, so you can start with the single or double package, for which you can later purchase additional units depending on the needs that arise.
External
The router arrived in the usual, elegant box from the manufacturer, which contains, in addition to the three nodes (the units that make up the mesh system are called nodes), their power supply, as well as an Ethernet cable for each one. Not too surprisingly, all nodes look exactly the same; the M1800 follows a tower-like design, which is typical for mesh systems, but has recently become more and more fashionable for routers as well. The reason for this is extremely simple: there are four antennas under the cover that radiate the signal in 360 degrees, and the four antennas can be placed in a cylinder in the easiest (and most optimal) way. Ventilation grills at the bottom and top ensure the air flow in a completely passive way. The “front” part of the nodes has the word cudy and a V-shaped indicator LED, and the back has the power supply connector, two gigabit Ethernet ports, the Reset button and the WPS button ready for use.
Although the mesh system is basically optimized for wireless communication, the physical connectors are also very useful, since a PC and the NAS or the modem provided by the Internet service provider can be connected to the mesh network conveniently and without configuration. As we have become accustomed to with other Cudy products, the indicator LED not only informs about the switched-on status, but also shows the signal strength with color codes, so it is easier to place the gadgets in strategically important places. What exactly this means always depends on the given location, but in general the starting point is the internet modem, and the additional units should be placed so that they are slightly closer than halfway to the farthest point of the apartment.
During use
Based on its knowledge, the Cudy M1800 is in the middle category, as it supports the WiFi 6 standard and is capable of speeds of 1201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 576 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. Added to this is the fact that a wired gigabit connection can be created for up to six gadgets. The nodes can also use the two frequency bands in parallel, so the approx. Maximum data transfer speed of 1800 Mpbs.
In the case of Cudy, a mesh network can not only be used directly with packages designed for the Whole Home Mesh system, but almost any Cudy product is suitable for expansion – this also means that the communication between nodes takes place on the normal channel in the same way as the node- ok and also data transfer between devices. This may also somewhat limit the number of devices that can be connected.
However, there is an advantage to this design, namely that the M1800 received the menu system of classic routers, that is, it supports all the services that normal routers do – it is common practice for other manufacturers’ products that everything is focused on simplicity and comfort. As a result, the commissioning also takes place in the usual way, at least in the case of the first unit: the gadget can be configured in the simplest way by connecting to the WiFi network created by it. The data required for connection (SSID and password) are printed on a sticker on the bottom of the router. The interface can be accessed at 192.168.10.1 and the default password is “admin” – this must be changed during the initial setup. After the first login, a wizard appears to guide you through the most important steps; for example, the name and password of the 2.4 and 5 GHz network can be set. If you also want to change the encryption, you can do that later. You can use the M1800 WiFi as a mesh router, mesh access point, WISP router and repeater. After closing the wizard, the router can be used immediately, but it also has a lot of extra features that you might want to check out. The DHCP server includes, for example, an address reservation option, and there is MAC filtering, port forwarding, and your own DNS can also be set. If you want, the WiFi encryption can also be changed. The gadget offers a wide variety of VPN services, and with ZeroTier there is even a way to give the remote network its own IP address range and subnet mask. The DDNS service replaces the fixed IP address, with which the device is always accessible via the Internet.
The easiest way to connect the additional units is with the WPS button (if you have one, it is worth turning off WPS), but it is also possible to start the connection process by entering the user interface of the first router. When connecting the second (third, etc.) units, the indicator LED on the node should be monitored, as this gives some indication as to whether the signal strength is adequate. This is especially important if you want to install the system in a multi-story building rather than a single-story one, and there is no cable connection between the floors.
In the optimal case, an area of up to 500 square meters can be covered with three units, but as usual, this is only indicative information, since every apartment is different, and as a result, the coverage and speed available in practice may differ. At a point close to the router, the WiFi speed at 5 GHz is comparable to the wired connection, capable of over 800 Mbps, and in general you can expect 350-400 Mbps – this is the same speed as an average router can provide. The advantage of mesh, on the other hand, lies in the fact that it can provide this speed with much greater coverage.
We borrowed the Cudy M1800 Mesh WiFi system from Hama for the duration of the test, thank you! The price of the package containing three units is approx. HUF 89 thousand.
Source: geeks.hu
