Wifi, Gig Switch Questions.

[WillysWagon]

Hello All,

I have some questions on home Wifi and switch info.
I have the need to update my wireless router (dead spots) and 16 port switch (I like to hardwire-all-the-things, currently at 11 items).
I currently have 250MB download capability and am using a Surfboard SB6141 cable modem, I think this is 1 gig rated.

First:
I have been using a Netgear 16 port 10/100 switch and will upgarde it to a gig switch, either of these 2 preferable, orrr ?
Netgear GS116NA or Linksys SE3016 are close in price and seem to do the same job.

Second:
I've heard it's better to have a separate wireless router for Wifi.
Current wireless router is in the basement under the stairs on a 2 story house.
Is something like a single unit a good idea or would a mesh unit like the Netgear Orbi AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System work better ?

Looking for affordable options for good & fast Wifi coverage.
We do have several tablets, laptops, etc.. we use throughout the house.

Thanks for any input !!

Kyle

[USMC88-93]

Will come back to this later, but for wifi "coverage" issues invest in the modern mesh system of your choice do not go with a single secondary wireless range extender of access point. Though I am saying that without knowing size and layout of your home. In my case a single router is sufficient for whole home coverage. I stress the word coverage when suggesting that however as it is not a band-aid for speed issues but for range and connectivity. Be aware and read the specs of what you end up with as some of the mesh systems will not provide you with the speeds you pay for off your modem though no wireless system will give you hardwired Ethernet speeds.

[thedave1164]

I am running the same cable modem, and I have a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 AC1900 with DD-WRT firmware

[20X11]

Love the Orbi...I have close to the same setup house wise. Orbi solved ALL of my deadspot issues...throughput is great.

[Delfuego]

Only use only router. Gigabyte switch for sure. We usually run POE (power over ethernet) switches. This allows us to power the wireless access points (WAP) from the switch and you don't need any external power cables plugged in for the WAPs. This is what I would recommend for sure. Another advantage of a POE switch is if you want security cameras in the future, they plug in and get power and network access just like the WAPs.

I will agree with USMC88-93 about the "Mesh" wireless. This is teh only way to go. It has gotten a lot cheaper to do these in the last few years.

Non of this gear is really "cheap" but if you do it the right way now, it will work well and you won't have issues later. Feel free to reach out to me if you need help or want hardware recommendations.

[WillysWagon]

Great input guys, thanks !!

[Grant H.]

I would also suggest only one router.

For a 16 port gigabit switch, I would suggest this: https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-Forwarding-Protection-TEG-S16DG/dp/B0044GJ516/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542737181&sr=8-3&keywords=trendnet+16+port+gigabit+switch

Cheaper than the two you posted, and just as capable. If you decide to go POE, that's a different story, but as Delfuego alluded to, it's better if you want to add cameras and such.

As for WiFi, I personally don't like the mesh systems, as they require wireless uplinking, which bottlenecks throughput behind subsequent uplinks.

Personally, for what you are asking for, I would suggest the following:

Router:
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-EdgeRouter-Advanced-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B00YFJT29C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542737899&sr=1-2&keywords=Edgerouter+x

Switch:
https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-Forwarding-Protection-TEG-S16DG/dp/B0044GJ516/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542737181&sr=8-3&keywords=trendnet+16+port+gigabit+switch

WAP(s) - Maybe more than one depending on coverage:
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542738002&sr=1-5&keywords=UAP-AC



This router will out perform all the home routers from bestbuy or similar, hands down, and the WAP will provide good coverage and high speed being 802.11AC.

[Grant H.]

For a relatively inexpensive gigabit POE switch, I would use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Business-LGS116P-Unmanaged-Enclosure/dp/B00GECC11O/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1542738519&sr=1-8&keywords=POE+switch

I'll also through out there, that if you want help configuring any of this, let me know. I'm happy to help.

[Erni]

+1 for Ubiquity Unify. If you are your own IT support department then their software makes managing things a snap. One interface for all their devices, easy updates, etc. The POE on their little router does not work with their AP, but the bigger routers have the right power. The AP came with a POE injector too, so it just needed an extra plug at the switch.

[Delfuego]

I have deployed some low-end HP access points for mesh wifi in a buddy's house, 3 years and no issues
I deployed the new Asus mesh WAPs in a CEO's house and they have been good so far.
I want to try out the Cisco Meraki GO AP's. I have their enterprise stuff and it works flawlessly.
I prefer wireless mess because it does a "hand-off" as you move from device to device throughout an office or home. Wireless gear is improving all the time and a much faster rate than other hardware currently. I wouldn't read too much into the spec and "new" features. Wireless AC is good enough. Dont bother with "N", that's old news.

For routers, we have deployed the Cisco RV series for small businesses. They are a good buy and they have a lot of different models to choose from.

[theGinsue]

I'm loving this thread and learning a great deal.

One would think that as a Network Engineer I would have a lot more knowledge about all of this stuff, but wireless and home networking is an area that I've not needed for my professional development.

Thanks to all of the input from you folks who do have experience in this area as it may help me later at home and adds to my overall knowledge base.

[WillysWagon]

What Ginsue said, you guys have an amazing amount of knowledge !

Update:
Got a Netgear gig switch, works great.
Went with a new Xfinity package to reduce my current bill.
Have the Xfinity cable modem (Cisco DPC3914T) and am working on modem placement in the house for decent Wifi everywhere.
I'm using a Wifi Analyzer on my phone to track the signal, so far so good.

[brutal]

I would also suggest only one router.

For a 16 port gigabit switch, I would suggest this: https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-Forwarding-Protection-TEG-S16DG/dp/B0044GJ516/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542737181&sr=8-3&keywords=trendnet+16+port+gigabit+switch

Cheaper than the two you posted, and just as capable. If you decide to go POE, that's a different story, but as Delfuego alluded to, it's better if you want to add cameras and such.

As for WiFi, I personally don't like the mesh systems, as they require wireless uplinking, which bottlenecks throughput behind subsequent uplinks.

Personally, for what you are asking for, I would suggest the following:

Router:
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-EdgeRouter-Advanced-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B00YFJT29C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542737899&sr=1-2&keywords=Edgerouter+x

Switch:
https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unmanaged-Forwarding-Protection-TEG-S16DG/dp/B0044GJ516/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542737181&sr=8-3&keywords=trendnet+16+port+gigabit+switch

WAP(s) - Maybe more than one depending on coverage:
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542738002&sr=1-5&keywords=UAP-AC



This router will out perform all the home routers from bestbuy or similar, hands down, and the WAP will provide good coverage and high speed being 802.11AC.

Why the edgerouter and not USG 3P for a small home user?

Also, why not a Ubiquiti PoE switch when all the rest integrates into UniFi?

I love me Ubiquiti stuff, I don't understand why you would mix in a different switch?

[brutal]

What Ginsue said, you guys have an amazing amount of knowledge !

Update:
Got a Netgear gig switch, works great.
Went with a new Xfinity package to reduce my current bill.
Have the Xfinity cable modem (Cisco DPC3914T) and am working on modem placement in the house for decent Wifi everywhere.
I'm using a Wifi Analyzer on my phone to track the signal, so far so good.

You might want to turn off the "guest" open "xfinity" hotspot.

[WillysWagon]

Thanks Brutal, already shut off the hotspot.

What your guys opinion to broadcast or non broadcast SSID ?

Since I was out of promotion pricing, I went with a new package and am limited to what they offer for modems.
I have their 'voice' package, so the modem was one with an Emta port, even though I won't use it.
Crazy, but the package with all 3 was cheaper than just Internet & TV.

[Delfuego]

Leave the broadcast on. Easier for you and anyone that needs wifi at your place. It is not really a security thing. A real hacker or bad guy can find it a with a sniffer program.

[Grant H.]

Why the edgerouter and not USG 3P for a small home user?

Also, why not a Ubiquiti PoE switch when all the rest integrates into UniFi?

I love me Ubiquiti stuff, I don't understand why you would mix in a different switch?

USG is 2-3X the price of the ER-X. I don't find the Unifi Controller Software compelling, so I use the ER/ES lines. As part of not going full unifi, I have a few of the UAP's, but for the most part I prefer other WAP's that have better radios in them. The UAP's work well enough for the price and for a home system, but they have issues in the industrial world where I work.

Price and need of the network. A 16 port Unifi POE+ switch is $300, vs the linksys I linked to (16 port POE+) at $122. As for need of the network, the Unifi POE+ switches are fully managed. For what Willys is looking for, that's a huge over shoot for no reason.

I also like the UBNT line of products, and I use them rather extensively for my house and business stuff, but I don't rely on them exclusively when they aren't the right fit (cost vs features vs need).