Hi, I hope its appropriate to ask this here, considering this is the most active community closest to this topic (Networking). I am moving places shortly and will need to start from scratch will all networking equipment. Including router and wifi-extenders. Am wondering what the general consencus is around networking gear, what brands are good and homelab friendly? I’ve heard great things about Ubiquity, but know nothing about their products. I do wish to buy a mesh system, as I do have 2 floors and concrete walls in the new place. I am looking for something easy to maintain, yet customizable for when I get more comfortable with playing around with networking equipment.
I have some experience with TP-link + decos, but really dont like their app and default settings. Blocks mullvad.net by default for instance…
If it matters, there will only be 2 people connected normally ~ approx 8 devices or so in total.
- 2 phones,
- 2 laptops (wired if possible)
- 1 desktop comupter (wired)
- server (wired)
- Nvdia shield (wired)
- RaspberriPi (wired)
Am also aiming to buy a 1000/1000 Mbps connection :)
Lemmy know what you would recommend in this scenario, and please feel free to ask about further details if I have missed anything, Thanks as always!
My budget-friendly solution has been to replace my ISP provided router with a 10 year old Netgear router that handles all the protocols my ISP does off eBay for £25.
I have a 4 storey townhouse so having this on the ground floor is useless when you’re on the top floor.
So I have a power line system installed which I’ve hooked into the modem. I’ve got a wired router in the front room that has all the front room tech worked in.
On the top floor I have an even older Netgear router a friend gave me, with OpenWRT installed plugged into the power line and running as an access point.
In total this whole system has probably cost me £80 to fully install as I was given the older Netgear.
Works beautifully, cost very little, and I’ve got a Guest Mode ap that turns on when I turn guest mode in Home Assistant, a simple “Hey Google turn on Guest mode”
Should probably add that a power line transmits network signal over the power plugs. OP may not be aware this is possible.