STACK #231 January 2024

TECH FEATURE

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So much schoolwork nowadays requires an internet connection. If your Wi-Fi network is a bit spotty, back-to-school time is the perfect opportunity to tune it up, so the kids can’t claim dropouts as an excuse not to do homework. A home mesh network might be just what you need. HOME MESH NETWORK

Words Michael Irving

extend your coverage. The base kit comes with one Point, or to cover bigger houses you can grab a three-pack. The Nest Wi-Fi Pro is built on the latest wireless technology, called Wi-Fi 6E, which adds a new radio frequency band that older systems don’t use. That provides speeds of up to 4.2 Gbps – twice as fast as the previous generation – so whether it’s browser-based study or remote learning video calls, every student in the house can jump online at the same time. Not only does the Nest Wi-Fi Pro come with built-in security and safety features, but parental controls let you set schedules and time-outs, so there’ll be no Fortnite till the fractions test is done. Link to the stars Another intriguing new networking option is Starlink – SpaceX’s innovative, satellite

it will orient itself to connect with the satellites in minutes. Once it’s set up, you can get speeds of up to 100 Mbps in Australia. While a single router might be enough to cover many homes, Starlink can be expanded by adding up to 12 nodes on one network. But the best feature is that you can pack it up and use it anywhere. Whether you’re moving house, visiting the holiday home, or even camping, if the Starlink array can see the sky, you can get online. It adds new meaning to the term “remote learning.” Starlink does require a monthly subscription, but there are no contracts and you can cancel the service at any time.

Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro

What is a mesh network? Most people connect to the

sure everyone and everything can stay online. If you need to cover a bigger area, you can easily just add more nodes.

internet with just one router, placed right next to their modem, but the problem is that’s not always the best spot in the house for it. You might find it slows down or drops out in certain rooms, especially as you get farther away from the router. A mesh network is a system of nodes spread around your home to help you boost speeds, patch up dead zones and provide a stable internet connection in every room. Extra nodes can be placed wherever they’re needed, to make

Home mesh Nest-work

One of the most promising home mesh systems is the Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro. Tapping into Google’s extensive expertise, this home Wi-Fi system is fast, flexible, secure and stable for multiple devices at once. It comes with a dedicated router that plugs into your existing modem, and smaller devices called Wi-Fi Points which can be placed around the home to

based internet connection. The

first commercially available phased array antenna, you just plonk it outside where it has a clear view of the sky, and

Starlink

28 JANUARY 2024

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