Mesh Wi-Fi and multiple level homes

[MG181]

I have read that the points/nodes require line of sight to operate properly and the pictures on google page seem to suggest that the signal will work through walls.

I have a split level house - the main area of the house on the middle level will have the router and one point, a roof space above this level will have another point and the lower level below the middle level will have another point . 

Will the signal travel/meet between the middle level and the lower level through a traditional timber floor sturcture.

I am reluctant to invest all the  money if it wont work and what return options do i have?

Also does the router replace the Optus Router I have and connect direct to the NBN box?

Thanks for any help - or is there a contact at Google to talk to?

[MichaelP · Accepted solution]

Hello @MG181 

The placement advice for optimal Google/Nest WiFi operation recommends having the primary unit (the one connected via Ethernet to your internet service and acting as your new router & firewall) placed as close to the center of the home as possible, with secondary / mesh units (points) placed no more than one or two rooms away in any direction. It sounds like you plan to place the primary in a good location to follow that advice.

They do not need to be line-of-sight, but the more obstructions, the closer they will need to be. With a timber framed floor, one room above or below should work fine.

If you are concerned about whether it will end up performing as you require, I would keep the original packaging and receipt so you can return it. I don't know how long you have to do that, but you should have enough time to get it installed, tested, and experiment a bit with placement before making your decision.

As for the Optus router, I can't say for sure that it can replace that device, but it may be possible. The Google/Nest WiFi router is a fairly standard device (other than the mesh feature), so you may find better guidance on a forum more focused on your internet service provider.

Just to be clear, this is a community forum – there are a few Google people who hang out around here, but it is not a support desk (that is available, too, of course).

[Jeff]

Hi, MG181.
I just wanted to jump in real fast to see if you saw MichaelP's reply and to see if you still needed some help on this or if you were able to get it sorted out. If you are still needing some help, just let us know and we'll be happy to continue helping.
Thanks.

[MG181]

Hi... yes enough info to move ahead and get one.  

I may still have some distance issues given size of house.  Can you run 2 separate setups ( ie using 2 routers) off the one internet service? 

[MichaelP]

Hello @MG181 

You may be able to run two separate networks from one internet service, but it will depend on how the internet service is provided (if you have a combination modem+router bringing internet service in, then connecting multiple "inner" router+firewalls to it can work; but, if you have a simple modem, it probably won't). However, this has some down sides that are important to understand. Two networks will be separated by firewalls. So, devices on one won't be able to see or connect to any devices on the other network. In addition, even if you give both networks the same WiFi name and password, client devices will be more likely to get "stuck" to one network as long as they can still manage to hold a connection to it, even if that connection is weak and they are closer to access points from the other network. So, in general, I don't recommend doing this.

[Jeff]

Hi, MG181.

I just wanted to check in again and see how things were going here and if you were able to get this worked out.

Thanks!

[Jeff]

Hi, all.
Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.
Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, everyone.
As we haven't had any activity here recently I'm going to go ahead and close the thread. If you have more to add, feel free to start a new discussion.
Thanks