Adding a Unifi WAP

[#1]

Hi,

I need to improve my wifi throughout my house as it's quite large. I have bought a Unify / Ubiquity WiFi PoE Access Point thinking that I could use it on the same SSID of my Plusnet Hub 2 router?

Firstly, is this correct? 

Secondly, what settings do I need to change on the Hub 2, etc. please? Sorry, I am really not very clued up on networking!

Many thanks to anyone who might be able to steer me in the right direction!

[#2]

I use a number of UniFi APs to cover my house, outbuildings, and a couple of acres of garden - depending on the model you have bought the coverage can be amazing (there is no other WiFi around, but I can connect to my WiFi from a hill half a mile away).

I have all of mine connected to the router (also Ubiquiti) by ethernet.  The Unifi controller software can be run on a PC (I do have a dedicated controller, but it isn't necessary for most cases), and gives you options to set up to 4 SSIDs, each with different characteristics. So there should be no problem setting an SSID to be the same as the Plusnet Hub.

Between UniFi APs the hand-off mechanism is very fluid so you can walk around from one AP to the other on a WhatsApp call without any glitches. Between the Hub and an AP may not be quite so seamless.

You shouldn't need to change any settings on the Hub 2, you should be able to just set the AP to match. If you want to mesh them rather than using ethernet it will be a little more complex. Let me know if you need more help.

[#3]

Thank you! Do I just need to set the SSID on the AP to the same as the Hub 2 and leave it at that then?

[#4]

@benjamino75  I think you will probably need to experiment with 3 options to see which is best scenario :-

1) Turn off wifi completely on Hub 2 and rely on the Unify WAP for wifi

2) Use same SSID on Hub 2 and Unify WAP - and check whether roaming between the Hub 2 and WAP works

3) Use different SSIDs on Hub and WAP and connect to whichever is best

In 2 & 3 you probably need to experiment with channel numbers as well

On another point, you do realise that the UNify is powered from the ethernet cable using PoE (power over ethernet) ?

The Hub 2 does not provide any PoE ports , so unless you already have an ethernet switch with PoE ports , you will need a PoE injector

[#5]

Thank you for your response.

I have an ethernet cable coming from the Hub 2 to a switch which is POE, which then goes to the Unify AP...

I'll have a play after work with what you suggested and report back! 🙂