- Feb 7, 2007
- 35
- 4
- 71
(Original post seems to be missing which is funny because I successfully edited it– it’s not listed in my profile)
**** Updated with results in post #14 ****
Looking for equipment opinions for home networking from you knowledgeable and experienced people. I’ve worked with home networking and network cabling for many years, but have not dabbled in it for the last 15+ years (used ISP cable modems and simple Linksys/Netgear wifi routers).
Current
=======
My current provider is Comcast – 150 Mbps with phone (phone line required for work – I work from home).
My current situation: I’ve recently moved into the house and am using the Comcast-supplied cable modem (it’s listed as an XFinity XB3 for what it’s worth) with both 2.5ghz and 5ghz networks (ac). I have enough wifi coverage where I need it but not where I want it. I have almost no coverage around my outside deck and around my garage, and it becomes non-existent near the extreme edges of my house. As wifi devices, I have 3 phones, 4 Roku’s, 4 Chromecast Audios, 3 reader tablets (2 Kindle 1 Nook), and 2 laptops. I plan on adding up to 3 more Chromecast devices for audio, but two of those will be in areas not reachable via my current wifi. I have one desktop connected to Ethernet directly to the cable modem that is also my Plex server. I do not anticipate outside Plex users other than my wife and I travelling occasionally and accessing it.
I am renting the cable modem from Comcast, and I will continue to do that until I finalize my networking and have it all working as I desire. My current networking seems to be adequate for my existing devices where I have coverage now. My house is in the shape of an “L”, with the long arm having a full basement and first floor, and the short arm having a full basement, first and second floors. Current wifi coverage is concentrated at the inside corner of the “L”.
Desired
=======
My goal is seamless wifi stability wherever I have coverage. I don’t plan on having super high speed internet – my current download/upload speed (150/10 or 15) is more than adequate for my needs.
I’m going to relocate my cable modem and run some Ethernet wiring for an additional 5 drops (2 for the laptops/desktop in the dual office, 1 drop for a centralized cell signal booster, and 2 drops for access points using POE). My plan is to locate a wifi router near the end of the long arm of the “L” on the basement ceiling. That’s where the utilities and cable come into the house and that’s the part of the house with full basement and first floor. The wifi router will allow more than adequate coverage there. I’d like to place an access point via a POE drop near the outside corner of the “L” where the two legs meet. That will cover the common areas of the house (basement and first floor) along with the outside deck. I’d like to place a second access point via a POE drop near the outside end of the short side of the “L”. This will be either in the basement ceiling or the first floor wall near the ceiling. This will cover the basement, first and second floors, and the garage along with part of the driveway. Additionally, I plan to have a Hauppage TV tuner for OTA TV via Plex located near the router and probably a Pi-Hole. I will probably have an old Core2Duo system running headless and containing the TV tuner and providing NAS storage (either it’s current Win7 installation or a new Win10 installation – I hate that Win10 did reboot by itself). The Plex server will continue to be on my desktop, but I may opt to relocate that to the tuner/NAS box.
I anticipate I will need a router and two access points using POE. I assume that means I will need a POE switch, unless injectors are adequate for the APs (I’ve never worked with injectors and POE). Each AP will have less than 100’ of Ethernet (cat 6e) so I think POE will work. I want to locate the APs where I don’t currently have outlets and I’d prefer not to install outlets since I need to run the a/c 120v wiring in conduit to meet code. I understand that low voltage doesn’t need to be in conduit in my area.
What equipment is suggested? I’ve been looking at the Ubiquiti equipment (suddenly no longer in my Amazon list – now referencing these components and adding another LR or PRO). I’m not sure if I need the pro access points or if I can use the non-pro ones (Lite? LR? still need POE). Pro seems the way to go. Great thread here (thanks @IndColtsFan). What router…go with the USG? Do I need the associated POE switch? Do I need the CloudKey? I’m still researching replacement devices for my rented Xfinity cable modem, but I don’t know how likely that will be for a supported device that also continues my phone line. I don’t have to use the wireless on the cable modem and I’d prefer not to longterm.
Any comments/suggestions on Ubiquiti or other equipment? My goal is to set it up and basically forget it. I don’t anticipate needing a guest network, and I don’t allow IOT devices (other than the Rokus and Chromecasts if they’re considered IOT devices) to connect – no TVs or anything.
I don’t want to go crazy spending money, but stability and set and forget operation are my two main goals.
I’m looking for comments and suggestions…and whether or not I’m even on the correct path.
Thanks in advance!!!!
**** Updated with results in post #14 ****
Looking for equipment opinions for home networking from you knowledgeable and experienced people. I’ve worked with home networking and network cabling for many years, but have not dabbled in it for the last 15+ years (used ISP cable modems and simple Linksys/Netgear wifi routers).
Current
=======
My current provider is Comcast – 150 Mbps with phone (phone line required for work – I work from home).
My current situation: I’ve recently moved into the house and am using the Comcast-supplied cable modem (it’s listed as an XFinity XB3 for what it’s worth) with both 2.5ghz and 5ghz networks (ac). I have enough wifi coverage where I need it but not where I want it. I have almost no coverage around my outside deck and around my garage, and it becomes non-existent near the extreme edges of my house. As wifi devices, I have 3 phones, 4 Roku’s, 4 Chromecast Audios, 3 reader tablets (2 Kindle 1 Nook), and 2 laptops. I plan on adding up to 3 more Chromecast devices for audio, but two of those will be in areas not reachable via my current wifi. I have one desktop connected to Ethernet directly to the cable modem that is also my Plex server. I do not anticipate outside Plex users other than my wife and I travelling occasionally and accessing it.
I am renting the cable modem from Comcast, and I will continue to do that until I finalize my networking and have it all working as I desire. My current networking seems to be adequate for my existing devices where I have coverage now. My house is in the shape of an “L”, with the long arm having a full basement and first floor, and the short arm having a full basement, first and second floors. Current wifi coverage is concentrated at the inside corner of the “L”.
Desired
=======
My goal is seamless wifi stability wherever I have coverage. I don’t plan on having super high speed internet – my current download/upload speed (150/10 or 15) is more than adequate for my needs.
I’m going to relocate my cable modem and run some Ethernet wiring for an additional 5 drops (2 for the laptops/desktop in the dual office, 1 drop for a centralized cell signal booster, and 2 drops for access points using POE). My plan is to locate a wifi router near the end of the long arm of the “L” on the basement ceiling. That’s where the utilities and cable come into the house and that’s the part of the house with full basement and first floor. The wifi router will allow more than adequate coverage there. I’d like to place an access point via a POE drop near the outside corner of the “L” where the two legs meet. That will cover the common areas of the house (basement and first floor) along with the outside deck. I’d like to place a second access point via a POE drop near the outside end of the short side of the “L”. This will be either in the basement ceiling or the first floor wall near the ceiling. This will cover the basement, first and second floors, and the garage along with part of the driveway. Additionally, I plan to have a Hauppage TV tuner for OTA TV via Plex located near the router and probably a Pi-Hole. I will probably have an old Core2Duo system running headless and containing the TV tuner and providing NAS storage (either it’s current Win7 installation or a new Win10 installation – I hate that Win10 did reboot by itself). The Plex server will continue to be on my desktop, but I may opt to relocate that to the tuner/NAS box.
I anticipate I will need a router and two access points using POE. I assume that means I will need a POE switch, unless injectors are adequate for the APs (I’ve never worked with injectors and POE). Each AP will have less than 100’ of Ethernet (cat 6e) so I think POE will work. I want to locate the APs where I don’t currently have outlets and I’d prefer not to install outlets since I need to run the a/c 120v wiring in conduit to meet code. I understand that low voltage doesn’t need to be in conduit in my area.
What equipment is suggested? I’ve been looking at the Ubiquiti equipment (suddenly no longer in my Amazon list – now referencing these components and adding another LR or PRO). I’m not sure if I need the pro access points or if I can use the non-pro ones (Lite? LR? still need POE). Pro seems the way to go. Great thread here (thanks @IndColtsFan). What router…go with the USG? Do I need the associated POE switch? Do I need the CloudKey? I’m still researching replacement devices for my rented Xfinity cable modem, but I don’t know how likely that will be for a supported device that also continues my phone line. I don’t have to use the wireless on the cable modem and I’d prefer not to longterm.
Any comments/suggestions on Ubiquiti or other equipment? My goal is to set it up and basically forget it. I don’t anticipate needing a guest network, and I don’t allow IOT devices (other than the Rokus and Chromecasts if they’re considered IOT devices) to connect – no TVs or anything.
I don’t want to go crazy spending money, but stability and set and forget operation are my two main goals.
I’m looking for comments and suggestions…and whether or not I’m even on the correct path.
Thanks in advance!!!!
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