How do I deploy a mesh Wi-Fi system?
How do I deploy a mesh Wi-Fi system?
Purpose
Mesh Wi-Fi systems allow users to connect to multiple routers within the same network using a single set of Wi-Fi SSID and password.
This article explains how to deploy a Synology mesh Wi-Fi system. The following terms will be used in this article:
- Wi-Fi point: Refers to a router.
- Primary Wi-Fi point: A router that will connect to a modem to get Internet access (also known as the primary router).
- Additional Wi-Fi points: Routers that will act as satellites, receiving their Internet access from the primary Wi-Fi point and then rebroadcasting it to nearby client devices (also known as additional routers).
Environment
- Supported versions of Synology Router Manager (SRM):
- Only SRM 1.2 or above versions support the deployment of mesh Wi-Fi systems. Ensure that the primary Wi-Fi point's SRM has been updated to the latest version.
- Recommended maximum number of Wi-Fi points:
- In a completely wireless uplink network: 1 primary Wi-Fi point + 6 supplemental Wi-Fi points.
- In a completely wired uplink network: 1 primary Wi-Fi point + 12 supplemental Wi-Fi points.
- In a network with both wireless and wired uplinks: we suggest not exceeding 12 supplemental Wi-Fi points.
- Supported topology of mesh Wi-Fi system:
- On SRM 1.3.1 and above
Primary Wi-Fi Point
Additional Wi-Fi Point
RT6600ax
RT6600ax, WRX560, RT2600ac, MR2200ac
WRX560
WRX560, RT2600ac, MR2200ac
RT2600ac
RT2600ac, MR2200ac
MR2200ac
MR2200ac
- On SRM 1.3.0
Primary Wi-Fi Point Additional Wi-Fi Point RT6600ax
RT6600ax
- On SRM 1.2.5
Primary Wi-Fi Point Additional Wi-Fi Point RT2600ac
MR2200ac
MR2200ac
MR2200ac
- On SRM 1.3.1 and above
- Wi-Fi points should be deployed in the following manner:
- A mesh Wi-Fi system can be deployed through wired uplinks, wireless uplinks, or a combination of these two types.
- For Wi-Fi points deployed via a wireless uplink: Keep Wi-Fi points at least one meter away from other points, but do not make the distance too far.
- For Wi-Fi points deployed via a wired uplink: Currently, SRM only supports first-layer detection of wired unlinks to the primary Wi-Fi point during deployment. Make sure that all additional Wi-Fi points are connected to the primary router via the trunk port. Alternatively, you can also connect your primary and supplemental Wi-Fi points serially through a switch.
Resolution
Prepare your Wi-Fi points
- Connect all power cords between the Wi-Fi points and outlets.
- Power on all your Wi-Fi points.
- Wait until the LED indicators indicate that your Wi-Fi points are ready for setup. The startup process may take up to 10 minutes for each Wi-Fi point. If the LED indicators do not show the correct colors, please refer to the hard reset section in this article to reset your Wi-Fi points and try again.
Add Wi-Fi points
- Launch the SRM of the primary Wi-Fi point via your computer's web browser or the mobile application DS router (watch this video tutorial). Complete the first-time installation if necessary.
- Add the Wi-Fi points to your mesh Wi-Fi system:
- For a new mesh Wi-Fi system: After completing the primary Wi-Fi point's first-time installation, click on Add Wi-Fi Point. SRM will guide you through the process of adding additional Wi-Fi points.
- For an existing system:
- Update SRM on your primary Wi-Fi point to the latest version.
- Do a hard reset of the Synology devices you want to configure as additional Wi-Fi points.1
- Go to Wi-Fi Connect > Wi-Fi Point and run the Add Wi-Fi Point wizard.2 SRM will guide you through the process of adding additional Wi-Fi points.
- For a new mesh Wi-Fi system: After completing the primary Wi-Fi point's first-time installation, click on Add Wi-Fi Point. SRM will guide you through the process of adding additional Wi-Fi points.
Optimize placement and connections
- Place your Wi-Fi points at the locations where you wish to extend the Wi-Fi signal. To learn how to deploy a Wi-Fi system to achieve the best connection, please refer to this article.
- Set up the uplink network:
- Wireless uplink: Adjust the location of the Wi-Fi points to maximize signal strength. You can check the signal strength through the LED indicators of the Wi-Fi points3 or at SRM > Wi-Fi Connect.
- Ethernet uplink: Connect the WAN ports of supplemental Wi-Fi points to the LAN ports of the primary Wi-Fi point using Ethernet cables.4
- Wireless uplink: Adjust the location of the Wi-Fi points to maximize signal strength. You can check the signal strength through the LED indicators of the Wi-Fi points3 or at SRM > Wi-Fi Connect.
Change the uplinks of Wi-Fi points on SRM
Once the mesh Wi-Fi system is created, if you wish to adjust the uplinks of certain Wi-Fi points, you can go to Wi-Fi Connect > Wi-Fi Point > Manage > Select the uplink type to change the uplinks of the Wi-Fi points.5
Notes:
- To use the RT2600ac as an additional Wi-Fi point your device must have SRM 1.3.1 or a later version installed before doing a hard reset.
- SRM only supports adding six Wi-Fi points through the Add Wi-Fi Point wizard at a time. You will need to run the wizard again if you wish to add more than six Wi-Fi points.
- Wi-Fi points have to be placed within the coverage of their parent Wi-Fi points. If a Wi-Fi point has poor or no signals, please move the point closer to other points. You can check the LED indicators of the point to know its signal strength.
- If you have more than two Wi-Fi points, we recommend deploying the Wi-Fi points in parallel (i.e., a star network) rather than in serial (i.e., a daisy chain) to optimize network throughput.
- If an uplink loses connection, please connect the current Wi-Fi point to any single working Wi-Fi point by an Ethernet cable. After you complete the adjustment, SRM will automatically restore the Wi-Fi point's connection.
Further reading
- How do I deploy an RT2600ac as an additional Wi-Fi point?
- Can I create a Wi-Fi mesh network using Synology Router from different countries?
- Can I add a Synology Router to a third-party mesh Wi-Fi system?
- My guest network is not functioning properly when the mesh Wi-Fi system has been set up. What can I do?
- Frequently asked questions about mesh Wi-Fi system
- How do I deploy my Synology Wi-Fi system to achieve the best connection?