Tired of consumer grade networking hardware, need suggestions…

[trparky]

So, I need some suggestions on how to build out a good network for the home. I have Gigabit symmetrical FTTH Internet. Ethernet is run to most places in the home but there are a lot of smartphones and two notebooks that need wireless.

I’ve been using consumer grade hardware and I’m running into issues where because of the way the house was constructed, getting WiFi to all three floors (basement and attic) is a real pain. Roaming between the two access points isn’t working properly.

I hear that a lot of people are using Ubiquity hardware in home setups and it works great. I know my way around networking so that’s not going to be a problem.

The only question that I have is what hardware to choose. I need a router, a 2.5 or 5 Gb switch, and an access point. The router will be in the basement where the Internet connection comes into the home while the access point will be in the attic.

 

[remixedcat]

Ubiquiti cloud gateway ultra is only 129 and the max is 200 usd without nvme storage and that'll run yah another 50 or so. very solid and powerful routers and if you get their other networking gear you can manage it all with one ui.

The UCG-Ultra is what I have and it's very nice

The UGC-Max adds things like Protect NVR built in for their cameras but it's about 100 dollars more.

I have the following:

UCG-Ultra
USW-Ultra-60W PoE switch
US-8-60W PoE switch
UAP-AC-LR
UAP-AC-LITE

and it all works very well.


Their cloud gateways have the unifi controller built in so you don't have to get a cloud key or run an application on your PC or server.
Ther UXG line requires a dedicated unifi controller the same as their other lines.

 

[trparky]

I got myself a Dream Router 7 and a WiFi 6 Plus AP for the attic.

 

[remixedcat]

I got myself a Dream Router 7 and a WiFi 6 Plus AP for the attic.

Nice. Hope it works out for yah

 

[trparky]

Nice. Hope it works out for yah

It's working wonderfully, it just needed a lot of tweaks to get things working properly.

It makes separate WiFi network names so stupidly easy. One network for the Apple iOS devices, one network for the computers, and another network for a really old Nintendo device that doesn't support WPA3.

 

[r00tcz]

Ubiquity is great for wireless. The price/performance used to be even better, but it's still good and far more stable compared to usual consumer wireless routers etc.
But for routing and switching, Mikrotik have best price/performance and it have so many features you can use from the GUI. The Winbox is such a nice tool for management, compared to all of the web interfaces I have used. All changes are applied immediately, no saving, rebooting, waiting.

 

[remixedcat]

It's working wonderfully, it just needed a lot of tweaks to get things working properly.

It makes separate WiFi network names so stupidly easy. One network for the Apple iOS devices, one network for the computers, and another network for a really old Nintendo device that doesn't support WPA3.

the zone based firewall is so nice as well! even has an iot zone too that makes managing those devices more easy and secure. also you have remote management without cloud license too

 

[trparky]

I'm really tempted to go all out and replace all of my Ethernet switches with Ubiquity gear.

even has an iot zone

Where? I feel like I've just scratched the surface of what this hardware can do.

 

[remixedcat]

I'm really tempted to go all out and replace all of my Ethernet switches with Ubiquity gear.


Where? I feel like I've just scratched the surface of what this hardware can do.

not by default but it's super easy to make here's my zones I currently have


but I'll have to show you how to do it later or you can find tutorials on it too so you can harden the iot network.

I don't use them cuz I only have 2 iot devices.