Seems like for every explanation I get/read elsewhere (vendor forums, L1T, Smallnetbuilder, even [gasp] Reddit), I get/find another explanation that contradicts the first. In some cases the people posting get really snippy with each other. Some people are just really passionate about their WiFi I guess. Thought I'd ask here, since folks here are generally pretty knowledgeable...and polite. I usually try to figure things out on my own rather than run for help, but my head is spinning.
My Planned Updated Home Network:
My Planned Updated Home Network:
- A pfSense box (firewall/router)
- Two Access Points. Both will have their own individual wired connection back to the router.
- Two managed switches, one behind the pfSense box, and one in the room with the rack.
- Because my backhaul is wired: my setup won't technically be "mesh" even though I'll probably be using mesh capable hardware, since its a pretty common feature these days?
- Because backhaul is wired: if the AP can be set-up without a controller, I should be able to get them both operating by specifying the same SSID, Key type, and key? In some cases, I've read that each AP needs to be on a different channel? Not sure if that's a "sometimes"/only with certain hardware thing, or just isn't always mentioned?
- To have "seamless" handoff between APs though, I'll need to enable "Fast Roaming" (802.11r)? Some brands/models that will do basic operation without a controller could still require a controller to enable Fast Roaming, or other features like VLAN? As an example (if I understand the documentation correctly): Two Engenius APs from the "On Premises" product line (e.g. EWS357AP) can do Fast Roaming together without a controller. But, two TP-Link Omada APs (e.g. EAP620 HD) won't be able to do Fast Roaming (apparently won't work at all) without a controller?
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