Boosting My Jio AirFiber Range: Complete Home Networking Setup
When I first got Jio AirFiber, the speeds were impressive but Wi-Fi coverage was lacking. Dead zones in bedrooms, weak signal upstairs, and IoT devices dropping connections. Here's how I transformed my home network from frustrating to flawless.
Problem 1: Router Positioning
Solution: Used Wi-Fi Analyzer app (Android) to find optimal placement. Moved router from corner to central location. Result: 15-20% signal improvement throughout house.
Problem 2: Extended Coverage
Solution: Repurposed old TP-Link router as secondary access point. Connected via Ethernet backhaul. Result: Eliminated dead zones, seamless roaming between APs.
Wi-Fi Repeater Alternative
Tried TP-Link range extender but found it halved speeds due to bandwidth sharing. Ethernet-connected AP is superior when possible.
Problem 3: Channel Congestion
2.4GHz band: Switched to less congested channel (found via Wi-Fi Analyzer). 5GHz band: Changed to channel 40 for better performance. Result: Reduced interference, faster speeds.
Problem 4: Device Management
Static IPs assigned:
- Raspberry Pi: 192.168.1.100
- TrueNAS server: 192.168.1.101
- ESP32 devices: 192.168.1.110-119
Makes devices reliably accessible and simplifies port forwarding.
Problem 5: Remote Access
Solution: Dynu DDNS for permanent hostname + Cloudflare Tunnel for secure access bypassing ISP restrictions. Result: Access Raspberry Pi server from anywhere with HTTPS encryption.
Problem 6: Security Concerns
Measures implemented:
- Changed default admin password
- Disabled remote admin access from WAN
- Created guest network for visitors
- Isolated IoT devices on separate VLAN
- Regular firmware updates
- Enabled WPA3 encryption
- Regular backups of router configuration
Final Network Topology
Internet → Jio AirFiber Router (192.168.1.1)
├── Main Wi-Fi (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
├── Ethernet → Raspberry Pi (192.168.1.100)
├── Ethernet → Secondary AP (different SSID or same for roaming)
├── Ethernet → Desktop PC
└── IoT VLAN → ESP32 devices, smart home
Performance Results
- Coverage: 100% of house, no dead zones
- Speed: 250+ Mbps at router, 150+ Mbps at far end
- Latency: 5-10ms to gateway
- Uptime: 99.9% with UPS backup
- Connected devices: 25+ simultaneously without issues
Lessons Learned
1. Location matters more than power. Central placement beats stronger signal from corner.
2. Wired backhaul is king. Ethernet connections between APs provide better performance than wireless mesh.
3. Channel selection is crucial. Auto-select often chooses poorly. Manual optimization makes huge difference.
4. Security isn't optional. Default passwords and open admin panels are invitations to attackers.