Wifi connection dropping can’t access modem

[Cheryplee]

I live in a complex with shared internet.
I don't think the routers are set up properly at all and I have zero access to anything other then my own suites router.

I have a bunch of iot things (plugs, lights, cameras, etc) and the connection frequently drops at the most inconvenient times. 

If I unplug most of the devices the connection doesn't drop at all. So in order to have a reliable connection when I'm in a video conference I need to manually unplug about 50 devices before and then plug them back in after.

Is there any way to have a central hub for all my iot devices where it 'tells' the router that all of those items are just one item?
The devices are all different brands and it would cost a fortune to replace them with just one brand so I don't want a brand specific solution.

[icecream-guy]

50 devices is probably way to much to connect to a single wifi router, will caused contention, possibly causing devices to drop off he network or very slow response.

[deanwebb]

There may also be issues with exhausting the address space if there are limited addresses in your complex.

So, to make this work, you would need a "central hub" as you say, but it's more complicated than that. It would mean building out a separate network for your IoT devices and being able to set rate limit controls on how much bandwidth they could use. A modern mesh wireless solution should be able to offer that arrangement, but you would need a higher-end model, in the $500-$2000 range.

In this set-up, the devices all connect to the network you build out and then that network acts as a gateway to the complex network, showing only one IP address to the complex (address exhaustion fixed here) and limits traffic rates (bandwidth issue fixed here). Your personal/work gear connects directly to the complex network and works fine.

The next issue is that if you want to access your IoT gear on the separate network, you may have to open up specific communications permissions on the devices handling your home network. I would strongly advise to permit only devices on your home network, no other ones, for permitted inbound connections. If you have manufacturers that require direct access to your gear to make it function properly, it gets more complicated, but it can be done.

[Cheryplee]

Deanwebb is there a mesh wireless solution you would recommend? Hoping to stay around the $1000-$1200 mark

[deanwebb]

https://www.pcmag.com/lists/best-mesh-wifi-systems

Netgear or TP-Link are in your range, those look the best. I was shopping earlier this year, but the money had to go for HVAC repairs instead.