Ubiquiti Edge Router Suitability and Network Structure Q

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SBT

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Wannabe Geek

#237477 4-Jun-2018 17:52

Hi All,

Have no idea about any networking, structured cabling, router/modem functions etc. so please bear with me, but have found some good threads with great information (however nothing that has been able to answer my queries unfortunately).

I have a 300sqm house on a 2,000sqm section and looking to get solid Wi-Fi coverage across the entire house, and ideally into outdoor living areas if possible. Currently on Spark broadband/fibre, with fibre patch lead running to a Huawei router/modem in garage distribution board, that then feeds into structured cabling (phone terminal that has been converted to a single RJ45 outlet), that then has the standard Spark supplied Huawei HG659B router/modem inside the house, photo of set up below:

I have purchased 2 x Unifi AP AC Lite's, and may extend this with another 1 or 2 in the future depending on how coverage works out. I am looking at the EdgeRouter ER-X-SFP which would have the capability to run the 2 x AP Lite's and have provision for future expansion.

Now my question is can I do away with the Huawei modem/router that is in the garage, run the fibre patch lead directly into the SFP port on the Edge, with the PoE ports then powering the AP Lite's that then provide Wi-Fi throughout the house? Or do I need to retain either one of the two existing Huawei Modem/Router's? I'm not sure which is which, and what functions they provide?

If I need to retain one of the Huawei products how does the EdgeRouter ER-X-SFP link back to the network? Just through one of the ethernet ports from the WAN on the Huawei?

Sorry if this is a really stupid question, however I've done some research and haven't been able to come up with an answer, just need some help with how the structure actually needs to work.

Thanks in advance.

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2029354 4-Jun-2018 18:01

The ONT has to stay.

Being your with spark, your voice will be over the ONT so there is actually no requirement to use the HG659b; unlike other providers :)

Since you don't have voice, null point though.

i would use the AP Lites to cover the house, with a directional outdoor AP if your looking to get decent coverage out in what i'd assume is likely your back yard.

You would use the Edge router inplace of the HG659b.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

SBT

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Wannabe Geek

#2029362 4-Jun-2018 18:14

hio77:

The ONT has to stay.

Is the ONT the Huawei product shown in the picture above? If so, I take the feed from WAN out (that currently feeds the HG659B) and feed that into the SFP port on the Edge? Or just into one of the standard Ethernet ports on the Edge?

Thanks for the help!

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2029363 4-Jun-2018 18:25

SBT:

hio77:

The ONT has to stay.

Is the ONT the Huawei product shown in the picture above? If so, I take the feed from WAN out (that currently feeds the HG659B) and feed that into the SFP port on the Edge? Or just into one of the standard Ethernet ports on the Edge?

Thanks for the help!

yep, the Huawei shown in the picture, it's owned by the LFC.

That's their termination point.

You would connect into a standard Ethernet port normally. Your welcome to use a RJ45 SPF, but that would just be more complexity.

in terms of setup, you will take that feed from ETH1 on the ONT, and however you wish... Connect it to your edge router, then configure like so:

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/internet/set-up/non-spark-modem/

Operating mode: MDI/MDIX
PPP protocol: PPPoE
PPP username: user@spark.co.nz
PPP password: password
PPP auth type: PAP
PPP mode: Always on (dial on demand disabled)
Encapsulation: 802.1Q
PCP marking: 0
VID (or VLAN): 10
MTU: Auto or 1500

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

michaelmurfy

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#2029375 4-Jun-2018 19:26

Also if you're going towards the UniFi access points I'd recommend looking at a UniFi switch + a UniFi Security Gateway instead as everything ties together nicely.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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toejam316

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#2029392 4-Jun-2018 19:59

Out of curiosity, how keen are you to learn? The Edgerouter is a bit more heavy duty than normal consumer gear, and while it's a great piece of kit, it also has a lot more information, options and dangers than the usual bit of kit.

If you're not feeling up to the challenge of learning way too much about networking, or relying on the information provided by others who have (and blindly trusting it), I'd suggest maybe looking at toning back to a simpler bit of kit.

I've heard tell that the USG is a bit simpler, although if you're using Unifi APs anyway, you could probably get away with just turning the wifi off on the Huawei and using it as purely a router, depending on your needs.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

SBT

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Wannabe Geek

#2029559 5-Jun-2018 07:47

michaelmurfy:

Also if you're going towards the UniFi access points I'd recommend looking at a UniFi switch + a UniFi Security Gateway instead as everything ties together nicely.

Thanks, what advantages will this provide given the additional cost? Total of say $430 vs $159 for just the EdgeRouter ER-X-SFP.

Switch here:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHUBI10081/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-US-8-60W-8-Port-Gigabit-Mana

And Gateway here:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETUBI1156/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Security-Gateway-USG-Enterprise-Gat

Increased security, managed entirely through Unifi equipment?

SBT

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Wannabe Geek

#2029562 5-Jun-2018 07:50

toejam316:

Out of curiosity, how keen are you to learn? The Edgerouter is a bit more heavy duty than normal consumer gear, and while it's a great piece of kit, it also has a lot more information, options and dangers than the usual bit of kit.

If you're not feeling up to the challenge of learning way too much about networking, or relying on the information provided by others who have (and blindly trusting it), I'd suggest maybe looking at toning back to a simpler bit of kit.

I've heard tell that the USG is a bit simpler, although if you're using Unifi APs anyway, you could probably get away with just turning the wifi off on the Huawei and using it as purely a router, depending on your needs.

Keen to learn, and from the research I've done the Unifi appears to be fairly user friendly interface with plenty of support online.

Problem with retaining the Huawei as a router is the lack of PoE to power the Unifi AP's, having two PoE adapaters running from the router will require 2 x power points, and additional kit in the cabinet. Whereas the ER-X-SFP or similar will be a simpler and tider install, and have the PoE capability. the size of the Huawei is also an issue given lack of cabinet space.

Thanks

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

michaelmurfy

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#2029626 5-Jun-2018 09:40

@SBT Basically the idea here is your whole network is managed from a single portal. Many people like this but like you say it can be somewhat expensive to get started.

As others have said you can use your existing router + the UniFi AP's also. The Edgerouter X is a good choice but you're then using 2 different network products. The other option I really recommend is the Grandstream gear (have a look at the router guide in my signature) which is only a little bit more expensive than the Edgerouter + UniFi option but also a very good choice. There are many people here that use them without any issues and the wireless is great.

SBT

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Wannabe Geek

#2029645 5-Jun-2018 09:57

michaelmurfy:

@SBT Basically the idea here is your whole network is managed from a single portal. Many people like this but like you say it can be somewhat expensive to get started.

As others have said you can use your existing router + the UniFi AP's also. The Edgerouter X is a good choice but you're then using 2 different network products. The other option I really recommend is the Grandstream gear (have a look at the router guide in my signature) which is only a little bit more expensive than the Edgerouter + UniFi option but also a very good choice. There are many people here that use them without any issues and the wireless is great.

Thanks Michael, I'm ok to spend more upfront to have a better overall system that also has future expansion potential and given I've already purchased the Unifi AP Lite's this seems like a sensible way to go. Thanks for the assistance.