Nokia’s new Beacon 1 mesh Wi-Fi router learns which wireless channels are the least congested

Nokia is doubling down on dwelling networking. Simply final yr, the previous smartphone titan acquired mesh networking startup Unium and bowed its first wi-fi router, the Beacon 3. Now the corporate is again with a sleeker, cheaper mesh router that may work in tandem with its pricier sibling.

On sale beginning as we speak, the $129 Beacon 1 (or $299 for a bundle of three) makes use of the identical mesh-networking expertise that powers the $199 Beacon 3, together with a brand new clever channel-hopping function and a bridge mode that’s suitable with an current router.

Dubbed “Intelligent Channel Selection” by Nokia, the Beacon 1’s sensible channel-switching function lets the router decide one of the best channels for the two.4- and 5GHz frequency bands by analyzing close by wi-fi utilization patterns over time, fairly than merely selecting the clearest channels in the meanwhile the unit is first configured.

The Beacon 1 additionally boasts a bridge mode, useful for turning the Beacon into an entry level that you should utilize with, say, the combo modem/Wi-Fi router your ISP provided.

Nokia

Nokia’s Beacon 1 mesh Wi-Fi router encompasses a sensible channel-hopping function, a bridge mode, and an app with a warmth map detailing the sign energy for related units.

The brand new bridge mode and clever channel-switching options are coming to each Beacon fashions, Nokia stated.

The twin-band AC1200 Beacon 1 helps the 802.11ac Wi-Fi normal and multi-user MIMO, and it comes outfitted with a gigabit ethernet WAN port and a gigabit ethernet LAN port. The bigger, extra highly effective AC3000 Beacon Three sports activities one WAN port and three LAN ports.

Like many different mesh Wi-Fi units in the marketplace, Nokia’s Beacon routers eschew the clunky black shells and exterior antennas of conventional wi-fi routers for a modern white design, with the Beacon 1 boasting extra of an oval form in comparison with the cylindrical Beacon 3.

Apart from its normal setup and community configuration settings, the cellular app that accompanies the Beacon 1 and three routers encompasses a warmth map detailing the sign energy for any related units, good for pinpointing spotty wi-fi protection areas. The app additionally comes with a sign indicator that helps you place the Beacon items in optimum spots in your house.

Nokia says the three-pack Beacons will come pre-paired, that means that you just’ll want solely to configure the router that’s related to your modem; as soon as that’s performed, the satellites ought to connect with the principle router as quickly as they’re powered on.

 

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3406466/nokia-beacon-1-mesh-wi-fi-router-learns-which-wireless-channels-are-the-least-congested.html#tk.rss_all

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