What to do if your garden isn’t covered by your WLAN?
Many modern smart home devices such as robotic lawnmowers, smart plugs, lighting and irrigation control systems and security cameras require a stable internet connection.
While many homeowners invest significantly in the convenience of home automation, they may overlook the typical hurdles that WLAN signals face when trying to reach the outside area.
These obstacles include thermally insulated multi-pane windows, thick insulation and solid, reinforced walls. Even if you can see the garden through a window, the glass coating can significantly block the WiFi signal across all frequencies. As a rule, smart devices only require the 2.4GHz WLAN signal, but even this band has a limited range outdoors. So, what can you do to extend the coverage to your garden?
This makes Smart Sync even more useful from an MSP or administrator’s perspective. You can apply new functions that are not yet available in Nebula itself, and see those changes replicated in the cloud platform when the new capabilities are eventually migrated to Nebula.
Budget-friendly solution: WLAN repeater
One of the simplest and most cost-effective solutions is a simple repeater. It picks up the signal from the WLAN router and then amplifies it. However, this creates a second WiFi network with only 50% of the original throughput. Additionally, the product is only suitable for indoor use and the simple, omni-directional antennas distribute the signal equally in all directions. As a result, coverage might not reach the furthest corners of your property.
Smarter outdoor solution: outdoor access point
A more robust and elegant solution is an outdoor access point such as the NWA55AXE. This must be connected with a LAN cable in order to function and powered through Power over Ethernet (PoE). When combined with an indoor WLAN access point, it allows you to create a seamless WiFi network that covers both indoor and outdoor areas. The access point achieves its full performance when it is connected via a multi-gigabit switch, such as the XMG-105HP, which also delivers a considerable data throughput rate throughout the network.
If you’re planning your home network or a smart home setup, consider including the following components:
Recommended setup components:
- Nebula cloud management system for hassle-free setup in minutes and monitoring from anywhere with internet access. All products can be set up quickly and securely without any network knowledge.
- Internet access device – whether you’re using your own router or one provided by your internet provider, this forms the basis on which your home network is built.
- Firewall – basic firewalls are included in most routers, but for serious protection, we recommend a standalone device like the USG LITE 60AX, which offers advanced security features and better performance.
- Switch – the backbone of your network. Choose one with enough ports and the correct port speeds based on your devices. For example, if your AP supports 2.5Gbps, your switch should too.
- Access points – the number and type of APs to be used depend on your layout and installation points. There are models with special antennas for wall or ceiling mounting or for outdoor use. Good planning is required here. For smaller spaces, APs like the NWA50AX can cover areas up to 15-20 metres indoors. For larger coverage, consider smart antenna models, such as the WAX630S or a tri-band AP such as the NWA130BE. If you’re on a budget, starting with 2-3 basic APs, such as the NWA50AX or the NWA90AX, is often enough – even to support a guest network.
Example configuration (approx. €500 excluding installation):
- USG LITE 60AX
- XMG-105HP
- NWA50AX x2
- NWA55AXE x1
This setup can be installed in just a few minutes and covers approx. 460m2 indoors and outdoors, while also delivering strong cybersecurity protection.
If you want to take your home network to the next level, contact us or your local Zyxel Networks provider.
