I have currently hAP AC 962UiGS-5HacT2HnT router at home. It was always not so good for wifi, and since last mikrotik update I have even more wifi problems than before - range, not stable connection, even close-by devices cannot connect. Thinking to update router. I like mikrotik, so I do not really like to switch to something else. I use it a lot at work, mostly due to its API. At home I am ok with wired network, problem is with wifi only. My home network is, probably, slightly more advanced than average, but nothing too complicated. I have Synology NAS server (running web-site, vpn, photostation, download station, so on), around 8-10 port forwarding rules, three network media players, few minor home-automation self-made devices on esp8266. So, my requirements are gigabit Ethernet and good wifi.
I think you should separate your needs for a router and wifi.
To provide assistance, one needs to know more about your wifi coverage area.
How many rooms, floors, type of walls etc… and where they are in relation to the current wifi router location.
How many wired outlets are in the house?
note; The hapac is apparently a very capable wifi radio.
I have one level 3-bedroom apartment on 6th floor building. Router is located in one corner (cannot easily relocate to the center), distance from that corner to the opposite corner is around 25 meters with multiple walls. Do not know type of walls. network outlets are in all rooms, it is not a problem. All stationary clients are using wired connection. Wifi clients are: windows laptop, 3 cell phones (all android), one android tablets, one old iPad, few esp8266 clients. Plus relatively rare guests with any possible wifi devices.
Is ac hap2 more capable?
What about RB4011iGS+5HacQ2HnD-IN?
Will it give me advantage comparing with my ac hap?
Well I would be tempted to place a wifi unit in the middle or two at opposite ends.
For example you could put an RB4011 with wifi at one end, and if that doesnt solve your wifi issues, add the existing hap ac unit at the far corner as just an Access Point Switch.
However, the hapac should be providing you solid wifi for at least half the apartment so not sure what is going on there.
Perhaps you should post your config and we can find the root of current issues before spending further $$$
/export hide-sensitive file=anynameyouwish
I also like MikroTik a lot as a router, but for WiFi it is not the best choice unfortunately.
It depends on what you want to spend which is the best choice, and also what range you want to cover.
At work I use UBNT UniFi which also has some issues but is certainly a lot better than MikroTik and still not overly expensive.
(and we use a MikroTik CCR as the router, that kind of combination works fine although of course you have no combined management of router and wifi)
This system is of course mainly targeted at setups with more than one AP. But with that kind of area, 2-3 APs would likely be better anyway.
Configuring WiFi is difficult. You might first want to optimize settings before getting new hardware. Can you please share your settings (/export hide-sensitive) so we can advise you?
I used to have UBNT and switched (back) to MikroTik. Though being able to get higher throughput on UBNT, in my opinion MikroTik is a lot more stable than UBNT.
Can you please explain @pe1chl what makes UBNT “better” for you?
MikroTik has no semi-professional ceiling AP with AC Wave2 4x4 MU-MIMO…
Also with MikroTik I keep having issues with AP configured with multiple SSID (e.g. 4), links that drop on a single virtual AP and a scan shows all 3 others but not this one.
With UBNT I don’t have that problem. Of course there are other issues, both of them are not top-of-the-line.
In any case first we should try to sort out the current wifi issues., In terms of a new unit, getting the hapac2 would be one approach and then use the hapac at the far location assuming wired rooms.
My suggestion for you is the RB3011 becasue it has an excellent switch chip and the ability to add external storage and Yes it will do gigabit without much effort.
For wireless i suggest the Unifi nanoHD plus a Unifi Cloud Key Controller … these will provide you with outstanding WiFi and control mechanism.
If you want very good Wifi as opposed to outstanding Wifi the TP Link eap245 AP will serve you well at a reduced cost.
I strongly recommend that you avoid MikroTik home wireless gear because they under-perform.
The hapac2 is future proof for a 1-1.5 gig down ISP connection - $69
The RB4011 is future proof for a 3-4 gig down ISP connection - $249
In terms of WIFI performance it would be
a. hapac2 last 867ac = approx up to 300mpgs 5ghz speed (depending upon devices) 200-300 likely **
b. hapac middle 1300ac = approx up to 450mbps 5ghz speed (depending upon devices) 350-450 likely **
c. 4011 top 1733ac = approx up to 600mbps 5ghz speed (depending upon devices 500-600 likely **
(such speeds are line of sight and diminish rapidly through walls)
The RB3011 has no wifi and the RB4011 comes in two models with or without wifi
The hapac2 has better throughput numbers by a little bit compared to the RB3011
The RB3011 is a rack mount unit, (not a home router type looking unit)
I have reset all wifi settings to the default, delete security profile, and after that recreate security profile with the same passwords, enable wifi interfaces. Now seems like reliability of connection is better. Wifi is still not covering all apartment, but at least half of the aria seems to be covered reliably. Did not test for speed yet.
In additional, I have found in my closet not connected Mikrotik RB951G-2HnD router, so it gives me idea to setup mesh network. I have never set it up what would you recommend to start with?
That is a 2.4ghz Access Point only, whatever you do, ensure you have newer firmware installed and if you can connect it wired do so to make use of its 2.4ghz radio plus switch
Yes, did not see it is 2.4GHz only. May be will play with this anyway. Sure, I do have wired connection. Are there any recommendations about CAPsMAN? Have never play with this. As far as i have understood, it is mesh network allowing me to have my wifi range extended.
Yes, I avoid it like the plague. With one or two devices there is no point IMHO for the overhead on the CPU and the complexity of running an extra service on the MT. My advice avoid the headache.