- Sep 22, 2007
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So, I've been redoing much of my home network recently and have obtained a Motorola SB6121 cable modem to replace the cable modem/wireless router Bright House supplied me. I didn't use their wireless functionality; I only used the firewall functionality. However, I think this would be a good time to retire my current wireless gear (mainly my DIR-655) and use it as my external firewall while a Sophos UTM unit serves as the internal firewall. A DMZ will exist between them.
Anyway, I've got a hodgepodge of devices right now and I am wondering if a single AC access point, placed either at or southwest of the yellow point on the map below (about the same distance from yellow that yellow is from green) would cover the entire house and patio. I'm not concerned about covering the garage, as if I ever need to do that, I'll just throw an old AP out there. The majority of my clients are N clients operating on 2.4 Ghz, but most also support the 5 Ghz band as well.
Also, I should mention that the outside walls of the house are all brick, with the exception of the bar area on the first floor -- I'd consider placing the AC AP in our bar area, which has two sliding glass doors framed with cedar which open out to the patio.
EDIT: DAP-1522 is in an upstairs window overlooking the patio.
I guess I don't really have a budget in mind at this point, but I'd like to hear some recommendations. Since this will likely only be used as a main access point, I suppose I really don't want to pay extra for a lot of bells and whistles on the firewall side. I know the Netgear R7000 and the Asus AC68U are considered the top AC routers, but they're expensive and I think most of their cost probably comes from features I probably won't need/use. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't care if it has things like included OpenVPN servers and stuff like that, as my Sophos UTM box does all that.
I've heard (correct me if I am wrong) that most AC routers will increase the range of N clients due to the increased signal strength.
Anyway, I've got a hodgepodge of devices right now and I am wondering if a single AC access point, placed either at or southwest of the yellow point on the map below (about the same distance from yellow that yellow is from green) would cover the entire house and patio. I'm not concerned about covering the garage, as if I ever need to do that, I'll just throw an old AP out there. The majority of my clients are N clients operating on 2.4 Ghz, but most also support the 5 Ghz band as well.
Also, I should mention that the outside walls of the house are all brick, with the exception of the bar area on the first floor -- I'd consider placing the AC AP in our bar area, which has two sliding glass doors framed with cedar which open out to the patio.
EDIT: DAP-1522 is in an upstairs window overlooking the patio.
I guess I don't really have a budget in mind at this point, but I'd like to hear some recommendations. Since this will likely only be used as a main access point, I suppose I really don't want to pay extra for a lot of bells and whistles on the firewall side. I know the Netgear R7000 and the Asus AC68U are considered the top AC routers, but they're expensive and I think most of their cost probably comes from features I probably won't need/use. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't care if it has things like included OpenVPN servers and stuff like that, as my Sophos UTM box does all that.
I've heard (correct me if I am wrong) that most AC routers will increase the range of N clients due to the increased signal strength.
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