Advice sought on network upgrade

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Rikkitic

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#262024 31-Dec-2019 09:31

I want to upgrade and future-proof my home set-up. Although I am currently on a WISP with a fixed download speed of 30 Mbps, I want to install CAT 6 cabling and gigabit switches to ensure that I no longer have any bottlenecks now or in the future.

My networking know-how is pretty minimal and I am seeking suggestions for LAN switches and wi-fi access points. I need good reliable wi-fi at two different locations in the house and the temporary solutions I am using at the moment are not reliable. Where is the best place to get good gear here in NZ? I have grown tired of waltzing with the Chinese and am prepared to pay for quality and reliability.

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cyril7

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#2383206 31-Dec-2019 09:55

Hi Rikki, without more detail of your house layout and how easy it is to install cabling, either from below or above, I would find it hard not to recommend UniFi wireless, either AC-Lite APs if ceiling mounted or AC-InWalls if having to mount from floor level.

Obviously it is ideal to place APs on the ceiling to maximise their coverage and let them "see" over room furniture and clutter etc, however I recently moved into a 15yr old 3 level home and placed three InWall units in appropriate locations on each floor with great success.

As for switching, I am guessing you have no need for Vlans, so probably an unmannaged switch is sufficient, if you do want the ability for more network partitioning in future then a managed switch need not cost a lot more. For domestic work I have had good success with TP-Link managed switches, such as this. ,

You could ask why not use the UniFi switch range as it includes POE, however I find their feature set lacking, and unless you have lots of POE devices you are paying a lot for power systems that will never be used, hence if its only a couple or APs then just go with a non POE switch and use POE injectors. The AC-Lite APs come with an injector, the InWalls do not but one of these will power them. Note the Inwall units include two LAN ports on their bottom edge.

Cyril

Rikkitic

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#2383236 31-Dec-2019 11:14

Hi Cyril,

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. My needs are pretty simple. I don't have a server, just a couple of LAN cables from the router feeding into local switches and APs. Existing coverage is sufficient for my needs but it is all pretty slap-dash which is why I want to upgrade and finally do it right. In particular, I have started having trouble with the wi-fi. I have a strong signal but it refuses to connect and just gives me useless BS messages. This is Windows, of course. It seems to be happening more and more.

I have someone who is going to help me install new cabling but I thought I might look for the hardware now, since I am also going to need that. I want to replace both the wi-fi and the LAN switches. I discovered that at least one of my previous switches was throttling my streaming speeds but I have also started having occasional problems connecting to different wi-fi devices. The error messages never give any real information. Mostly they either say I am connected with a strong signal but no Internet, or I can't get a connection at all even though the laptop is right next to the AP. It all seems frustratingly random at times. I just want to install the best gear I can and be rid of all the problems.

With the wi-fi, range isn't the issue. It connects fine but then says no Internet. I don't know why. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. One of the APs is a TP-Link and it always worked well until Win 10 updated itself. I have reached an age where I don't want to tinker anymore. I just want to pay whatever it costs for something that just works and doesn't give me any more problems. Wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted are not issues. The TP-Link is on the floor under a table and it works fine except when Win 10 acts weird. I normally only use it for the laptop, and the laptop position is only a couple metres away. Signal strength is always perfect.

I should add that we live in an old farmhouse far beyond wi-fi range of any neighbours. There are minimal devices in the house, so congestion is not an issue and there is no advantage to be had from 5 ghz.

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Rikkitic

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#2383239 31-Dec-2019 11:20

Sorry, I forgot to mention the switch. I don't know the details of the differences between managed and unmanaged switches, but I'm pretty sure that an unmanaged switch would meet all my present and future needs. I want to keep things as simple and idiot-proof as possible. I am inclined to buy the unmanaged one you linked to.

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toejam316

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#2383297 31-Dec-2019 14:01

Ideally, a rough sketch of your current house and what you've got where would be a great start if you want some solid advice.

Otherwise, if you want truly set and forget, Ubiquiti Amplifi HD is a no-brainer, and a couple of cheap TP-Link 8-Port switches where you need 'em.

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.

djtOtago

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#2383307 31-Dec-2019 14:15

Rikkitic:

.....

I should add that we live in an old farmhouse far beyond wi-fi range of any neighbours. There are minimal devices in the house, so congestion is not an issue and there is no advantage to be had from 5 ghz.

5 ghz is generally faster.
And more and more device are coming out with 5 ghz support only.
You were talking about future profing. The future includes 5 ghz wifi.

Rikkitic

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#2383308 31-Dec-2019 14:16

Thanks. It is pretty simple. Old farmhouse with router upstairs, two LAN cables to different parts of the house, computer room downstairs at one end and lounge at other. Intention is to have gigabit switch at end of each cable with wireless access point for wi-fi.

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toejam316

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#2383319 31-Dec-2019 14:41

Rikkitic:

Thanks. It is pretty simple. Old farmhouse with router upstairs, two LAN cables to different parts of the house, computer room downstairs at one end and lounge at other. Intention is to have gigabit switch at end of each cable with wireless access point for wi-fi.

So one or two APs?

Another painless option might just be to go with https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETNGR2203/NETGEAR-Orbi-RBK23-Whole-Home-Mesh-WiFi-System-MU and a switch or two as required.

KISS seems to be the desired result, yeah?

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.

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Rikkitic

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#2383333 31-Dec-2019 14:59

KISS is definitely the desired result, but a mesh system is over the top for us. I only need wi-fi locally in a couple of locations. The router wi-fi actually covers a good part of the house quite well.

I am also boycotting PB Tech so will be making any purchases from another company. I have posted elsewhere about this.

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rb99

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#2383339 31-Dec-2019 15:05

This is no doubt an example of how not to do things, but we just have a wireless router in the corner of the house (where the ONT is), with 4 cables out the back, one to the back of the TV with a gigabit switch there, one to the Xbox/PS4 room with gigabit switch, one to the study, ditto, and I think one with no switch into the back of the main PC. Wifi sucks to the other end of the house but too lazy to do anything about it. Just thought I'd mention it mostly cos I'm bored.

Edit just use these https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1010/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-8-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Switch

...OK maybe not PBTech😀

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99