A solid non-WiFi router option is the TP-Link Archer C7. It offers strong performance and good coverage for home use.
A solid non-WiFi router option is the TP-Link Archer C7. It offers strong performance and good coverage for home use.
Do you require a switch? For example, when buying a router, you might choose one with more Ethernet ports or opt for a router combined with a switch to focus solely on Ethernet connectivity.
An Edgerouter Lite manages a lot well. Affordable and durable. I usually keep Wi-Fi and routing distinct. Just so the router stays in its optimal spot, not in the middle of where I need it.
Ensure you install the latest firmware first. The wizards have improved significantly compared to a year ago, making setup much simpler and allowing quicker adjustments.
Please share your budget range and your current level of networking experience.
I intend to follow the same path next year when I have my own space. Maintaining a router as the primary device, with a PoE switch in between and an Ubiquiti AP at the end. The setup at work works well, and I support using dedicated hardware—routers should handle routing alone.
Using an Unifi switch with Unifi AP simplifies the control software and ensures no missing links in the setup. Several restaurants have implemented this for guest Wi-Fi and VLANs. Although the USG offers fewer options, I found that my personal experience exceeded what the Edgerouter provides, especially with command-line setup and expanding features.
When using a USG or many EdgeRouters, a switch might be necessary. They can handle the task, but performance drops significantly because these devices aren’t built for it. The ER-X includes additional switch hardware that lets it function more like a regular WiFi router. If you’re considering a switch, a USG product would be ideal since UniFi is still in its early stages compared to UNMS. They also offer an Edge access point which works well if you prefer staying within the same line of products. The Cube models, N series, and AC are available for switches. Regarding UniFi, IT staff have mentioned that the controller software performs poorly on Windows versus Linux or the underlying controller, often requiring frequent restarts until they switched to controller sticks.
I possess a device, just need something to regulate network and internet traffic. Set IP addresses, oversee the connection setup—essentially mimicking a Wi-Fi router without the wireless or switch components.