Which models are suitable for the Mesh Wi-Fi System?
Netcraze Mesh Wi-Fi System works with all current models. Any model can serve as the main router or an extender, except for the Buddy models, which function solely as extenders.
Always try to designate a more advanced multi-gigabit or gigabit model with a multi-purpose USB port as the main router. If your Internet speed is higher than 100 Mbps, models such as Ultra, Giga, Hero 5G, Hopper, or Viva can serve as the main router. For extenders, choose models such as Challenger, Sprinter, Speedster, or Air, which are equipped with an operating mode switch on the body for quick addition to the Wi-Fi System without any pre-configuration. It makes sense to use the Challenger, Speedster and Sprinter extenders when connected via a wired connection to the main gigabit router, and the Air when connected via Mesh Wi-Fi. You can also use compact Wi-Fi range extenders — the Buddy series — to extend the coverage area of your Mesh Wi-Fi System; these plug directly into a power socket. To extend Wi-Fi coverage in an office network, you can use the Orbiter 6 ceiling-mounted access point (this model supports Power over Ethernet (PoE)).
It is highly recommended to connect gigabit extender models acquired in the Wi-Fi System via a cable. It is not even necessary to follow a star topology (with branches radiating from the main device) — a daisy-chain connection can be used instead.
If your Internet plan is up to 100 Mbps, we recommend using a Viva or Hopper gigabit model as your main router, which will allow you to upgrade to faster plans if necessary, and adding one or more Air or Buddy models as extenders.
Wireless connectivity for creating a Mesh network is most effective with dual-band models of the same or similar Wi-Fi class , particularly 100 Mbps models, because the 5 GHz connection is likely to be even faster than a wired connection.
If you rely entirely on Mesh Wi-Fi rather than a wired connection, it is advisable to limit the maximum number of nodes on the network to five, including the main router. In most cases, it is sufficient to use models with matching ports and Wi-Fi speeds. But when it’s not gigabit speeds or Wi-Fi performance that matter, but budget and coverage area, not only the affordable dual-band Air and Buddy 5 models will do, but even the single-band Start, Starter and Buddy 4. Even two entry-level routers can easily be turned into a Mesh Wi-Fi System with seamless roaming, WPA3 security, network segmentation and centralized management.
To set up a Wi-Fi System supporting the Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard, use models with the AX3000 Wi-Fi class. For example, the Ultra, Giga, Hero 5G, and Hopper models are suitable for use as a main router, whilst the Sprinter, Buddy 6 and Orbiter 6 models are suitable for use as extenders.
Our product range also includes the Ultra model of the Wi-Fi BE7200 class, which supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) standard. This model can be used as the main router when setting up a Wi-Fi System, and for connecting clients that support Wi-Fi 7.