I am currently running stock firmware and having wifi issues as I am not running a mesh network
I have a RE450 and RE305, the RE450 is the main access point and the RE305 is used as an extender
If I ran openwrt on the RE305 would I be able to setup a mesh network or would I need to install it on both or is this not possible at all
with stock firmware we are having no internet connectivity on the RE305 for at least 20 seconds to a minute
everyone is getting inpatient and annoyed with it, when connecting from the RE450 to the RE305 with the same SSID, the device loses internet connectivity but has an IP address
Since you are not running OpenWrt, the correct place to ask questions would be the vendor's support chanels.
If you want to run OpenWrt, both of those devices are theoretically supported (depending on the specific version of hardware).
If you're going to attempt mesh, you should have both of your devices on OpenWrt (or both on stock if stock supports mesh). However, if you have the option to use ethernet to connect the 305 to the 450, that will always be better than mesh.
This statement indicates that quite possibly you do not understand what a mesh network is, having been misled by marketing hype. These devices are range extenders that can either use an ethernet feed or a proprietary wireless technology to set up the link. Using the word "mesh" here is very confusing due to the fact there is an internationally recognised standard for mesh networks ie 802.11s.
Such devices as this also have a proprietary wireless roaming functionality allowing compatible devices to "roam" seamlessly between access points with the same ssid. (there is also an international standard for roaming but that is an other issue)
The key word here is "compatible". Such roaming may work just fine with some devices and not at all with others. The net result can be total unreliability.
This is typical of incompatible devices.
Not withstanding the comments of @psherman about contacting the vendor, you could try setting a different ssid on the second device to see if this helps in making things more reliable.
It does not support "real" mesh only a proprietary point to point wireless connection.
A real mesh is a multi-point to multi-point layer 2 backhaul.
By this I assume you mean wireless roaming. I already explained why this does not work reliably for many user devices.
If your iphones do not roam then apparently not...
No, not at all. A mesh forms a backhaul, ie an autonomous, self managing, multi-point to multi-point network that meshnodes can connect to. Normal user devices cannot connect to a mesh network, instead they have to connect to an access point that is in turn connected to a mesh (both mesh and ap interfaces can be in the same device).
I think so depending on the version of your RE305.
They are totally different and completely unrelated. An access point has an ssid. A mesh node has a mesh ID.
That is not a mesh.
For roaming, the international standard is 802.11r and is supported by OpenWrt - BUT, not all user devices support it.
You might use a mesh to connect your two access points together, but this has nothing to do with roaming.
is everything wrong online then or are you wrong
the marketing can't be wrong everywhere, with the exact same details
give me some sources and I will believe you
my ISP claims its mesh between 2 or more nodes
bing chatgpt thing has said the same
tp-link also say the same
Mesh WiFi works by using two or more mesh WiFi devices or “nodes” to create a mesh WiFi network.
One node is connected to an internet modem, while the rest can be placed throughout your home to create a powerful wireless network. Unlike traditional routers, these nodes are all part of the same network and share the same SSID and password. This makes setting and scaling up your mesh network as easy as adding another node.
These nodes are important in efficiently delivering WiFi, as each node serves as a “daisy chain” for other nodes in the system. Even nodes that are furthest from the router can still deliver a strong signal. Nodes communicate with one another in order to determine the fastest band for your devices, and to reroute traffic in the event that one node fails
Perhaps you should take it up with IEEE Standards if you think they are wrong.
If the vendor of your devices claims to provide a solution to your problem but it does not work, then you most definitely should take it up with them.
If you want to install OpenWrt on your devices, you should open a new thread on this forum, asking for help with it.
If you succeed in getting OpenWrt flashed, then you can move on to:
Creating a link between the two (either WDS or mesh)
Configuring 802.11r for enabling roaming for user devices compatible with it.
Sorry, ok
I have to trust IEEE
they is a lot of mis-information only then
I am sure I was even taught that in computer science
or was that a wired mesh topology network
so it does look like I need 802.11r for everything to work properly
I do believe most of my devices are compatible with it
or is this what I am already using without knowing it
802.11r
When your device roams from one AP to another on the same network, 802.11r uses a feature called Fast Basic Service Set Transition (FT) to authenticate more quickly. FT works with both preshared key (PSK) and 802.1X authentication methods.
iOS 10 and later, iPadOS, and macOS 12 include support for adaptive 802.11r on Cisco wireless networks. Adaptive 802.11r offers FT without the need to enable 802.11r on the configured Cisco wireless network. To support adaptive 802.11r, the Cisco network must be using controller code version 8.3 or later.
so does it only work with Cisco networks
I have bought a TTL adapter, so I will flash openwrt when that arrives
again sorry for I did not believe you
I will create a new post about installing it on the RE305, because I have no experience with TTL, but I should learn it fast
Unfortunately company's marketing teams don't have diplomas in computer science, let alone read up on the product they are adversiting...
So you should know better than to blindly trust what some company says about their product...
Go to your wifi network settings in luci, and search in the menus for a setting called 802.11r Fast Transition and enable it. There will be some fields you need to configure and you are set. There are a few topics on the forum I'm sure
Of course they can, marketing departments everywhere are staffed by professional liars. What makes you think this isn't a plausible outcome?
Mesh isn't magic, the nodes still need to have decent wireless reception to the other nodes to get decent performance. If there's a particular location where your clients struggle to get a signal, putting a mesh or repeater at that location won't solve your problem. So think carefully about where you put the nodes so you can achieve the desired result.
To be clear, the OP was misled by the marketing hype as are most people without in depth technical knowledge and has apologised for the outburst that was I am sure born of total frustration.
You probably don't want to hear this, but these devices are just not up to the job as, pretty much they are EOL as far as the hardware is concerned.
I would recommend replacing them with a pair of fully OpenWrt/802.11s-mesh compatible devices (there are many low cost choices).
I am sure everyone will jump in with their own personal recommendations, but look for at least 16/128 flash/ram and stay away from anything Broadcom as mesh is not supported by those chipsets.