Which internet Wi-Fi mesh system?

If you plan with ceiling APs and have a concrete ceiling, be sure to consider the flush-mounted box. If the cable simply comes out of the concrete ceiling, you will have a serious space problem when connecting. Usually, RJ45 connectors do not fit on installation cables, and you would then have to house the jack + short patch cable in an ugly surface-mounted box.

What was the question again? It was about WiFi via mesh, right? The Telekom system together with their router runs perfectly. Stable, simple, fast. One mesh unit on every floor, the router in the basement, that should be enough for normally sized buildings. Otherwise, go to their shop with the building plan and get advice. It’s not about the last 69,- anyway. The devices pair themselves almost automatically, integrating the so-called Speedphones is also a pure joy. Connecting TV and internet radio also works like magic, just press a button, connected. Never any dropouts, very reliable. But….it’s a Telekom system, whether it works as well with a telephone connection from VF or Otwo, I don’t know. With a Telekom connection, it’s like this. No cables, nothing, just internet everywhere.

But it has the mentioned limitations. It also works via Wifi-call or voice over IP. Actually, you don't need any landline phones at all. Everything works on the mobile device as well via the landline connection.

I see it differently with the phone. A completely different comfort of conversation with a real big device.

How about the question of what is actually supposed to be done with the WLAN? So far, it all sounds like the thread creator has no special requirements at all but is satisfied with a standard solution. Even the AccessPoint behind the cupboard per floor might be enough. Not that I recommend it, but there is no need to drive the thread creator crazy.

I would see it pragmatically and place it centrally under the ceiling on each floor. Preferably also in the hallway. If more performance is needed in the future, there are separate cable connections available in the rooms. Using them in the office / home office is anyway the only sensible thing.

When I read the questions and answers from PACC666, I assume that he is a typical internet user without much networking knowledge. In this case, I would keep everything fairly simple.

Basically, all devices that have a LAN port should also be connected via LAN. This primarily relieves the WLAN. With network sockets, it’s better to have one too many than too few.

For the router, I would go with the FritzBox and for WLAN, the AVM repeaters, which should be connected via LAN and thus operate as access points. Yes, these devices cannot do POE, but that is not a disaster. The 3000 or 6000 models have the advantage that they have an external power supply and are therefore not directly tied to a power outlet. It is best to place these devices somewhere high and free on a piece of furniture. Access points should not be under, in, or behind furniture if you expect good WLAN performance.

Personally, I would build the whole setup differently, bigger, and more technically, but this should be quite suitable for a normal user.

Note: These mesh systems like the Orbi have a huge disadvantage. Since the main device operates as a router by default and is connected behind the normal router, you end up with a router cascade. This creates a separate network behind the normal network, where devices from one network cannot access the other. A typical problem is that, for example, a laptop connected via WLAN cannot find the network printer that is connected to the main router. Of course, you can switch these mesh systems to access point mode, but then a whole range of features, such as guest networks, are deactivated.