Home Networking Question

Post date: 2018-12-14 04:37:05

How do I figure out what is the best wifi solution for my home? I needed to upgrade my internet service, so the cable company just installed a combo cable modem/router. I already have a router. So now I have two wifi signals. I am trying to figure out how to determine which one has better speed and coverage in my home so that I can know if it makes sense to disconnect my old router. I am also willing to upgrade to a mesh network if necessary.

A little more detail. I use Suddenlink and was on 100MB service. That service had a data usage cap. I needed to upgrade to 400MB service to get rid of the data cap. However, that meant I needed a new modem. I decided to use one of their modems b/c it is included with a bundle and I needed one that supports my home phone service (I have my parents living with me and they want a wired home phone).

The new Suddenlink modem is a combo unit that has a router. So after installation, the guy told me that I now have two wifi networks. My house is a good size so sometimes wifi has been spotty in some parts of the house (especially my parents side). We also have one of these which I think is supposed to boost the signal.

So I guess what I am asking are a series of related questions.
1) How do I determine the wifi speed of the different networks?
2) How do I determine the coverage of the different networks?
3) Does it make sense to have two wifi networks in the house? (For instance, should I have some family members on one, and other on the other).
4) Would the answers to the above questions help me know if I should upgrade to some kind of mesh network system?

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