A distributed Wi-Fi system includes a first Wi-Fi access point communicatively coupled to a modem/router for connectivity to the Internet and to a cloud controller via the Internet; and at least one additional Wi-Fi access point with wireless backhaul connections to the modem/router via the first Wi-Fi access point, wherein the first Wi-Fi access point and the at least one additional access point cooperatively form a single Wi-Fi network; wherein the cloud controller is configured to receive inputs related to operation of the single Wi-Fi network, perform an optimization based on the inputs with an objective function, and provide operational parameters for the single Wi-Fi network based on the optimization.