this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2024
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[–] [email protected] -2 points 3 months ago (3 children)

Why on earth would you have multiple WiFi networks in your home?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I have a trusted network, an IoT network (where the CC would go), and a guest network.

I know most people aren't going to have the time or knowledge set up network segmentation, but it's still good practice.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

No need for a physically separated network, that's what VLANs are for

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

I mean, yes? I'm obviously using VLANs here. I'm not running a separate switch and AP for each network...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I personally have a Comcast router/modem with its own network. I have a network switch that I plug into the router that I use for hard coded stuff. Mostly my PC and a couple other things that I want to run fast instead of convenient. Then I have a WiFi mesh network that I run for most of my other devices, including my phone.

So for my Chromecast, if I want to stream from my phone on the mesh network, I have it on one network. But if I want to stream from my PC, I have it on another network. While with most devices, changing the network you're connected to is simple, it's a massive pain in the ass with a Chromecast.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

What you need to do is put devices which you want to access from multiple networks in a specific network / VLAN and then bridge it over

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

So as far as I understand, you have

  • Outer router (Comcast), which has WiFi enabled
  • Inner router (your own), which has WiFi enabled, and further meshes with other WiFi mesh devices (or is the mesh separate?)
  • A plain switch, for stuff you want cabled and fast

Is that correct?

Why not get the WiFi in the Comcast router disabled, and use your inner network exclusively, such that both WiFi and ethernet devices are on the same network?

That's what I did with my network, and I even got the ISP to put their modem/router into bridge mode, so it's completely transparent.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I could, but I like having the router network as an option to connect to. I know the point of a mesh network is to improve WiFi connectivity overall, but every once in a while it will get a bit laggy when streaming a video. Probably because I've got like 90 some devices connected to it. I like having the option to switch my phone to the router network and go upstream of all the other stuff.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

That sound like you need a more serious setup, where you can control the network priorities and set a QoS, so the devices that you use interactively get priority over the other devices.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

My mesh network actually allows me to set devices as priority. I guess I've never tried it out and am too lazy to go start pulling cables.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I take my Chromecast on holiday, you basically have to factory reset it every time to change network. But my recollection is that you've always had to do that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

My solution: get a travel router and have it broadcast the same SSID (and use the same password) as you use at home.

All your devices should successfully connect to it and you don't need to factory reset them.

Many of them have the ability to navigate through a captive portal too (since I got mine all the hotels I've gone to have just needed a password, so i haven't needed to test that).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

I have a travel router as well, I just prefer to keep the SSIDs different. It is definitely paranoia, but if someone sees your travel router at a hotel, they know your not home, and your home can be found on wigle.net.

Its not that bad to reset the Chromecast, and I do it infrequently, so I'm happy with that.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

That makes perfect sense, and switching is definitely annoying then... But the person I responded to said they had multiple WiFi networks at home... E.g. Not on holiday