F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Networks Connect to a Wi-Fi network without a pre-installed router.

Connect to a Wi-Fi network without a pre-installed router.

Connect to a Wi-Fi network without a pre-installed router.

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Girgatina
Junior Member
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06-11-2023, 07:39 AM
#1
Hi everyone, I’m working on upgrading my home network and office setup. I’ve been using the AmpliFi HD mesh system for some time now, but I’m feeling a bit stuck. The router lacks certain features, and the boxes feel bulky. I’m planning to switch to PFSense on a dedicated device—probably a protectli box—to handle all my router and firewall tasks. This will power a small managed switch for my network.

The wireless part is giving me trouble too. Besides the annoyance, the mesh has a high WIFI handoff capability, which is great. But I need the switch to be easy to set up. I’ve checked other mesh systems, but they all come with a router, which I don’t want to pay for if I end up using it.

I live in a rental property. The landlord allows Ethernet cabling in existing conduits, but there’s no space on the upper floor or in the home office. While he’s happy to cover my future needs, he doesn’t want to drill into walls now. My home office has its own power supply and meter, so I can’t rely on Powerline for signal.

Mesh seems like the best path, but I’m unsure which gear works best for a stable, fast, all-over signal without breaking the bank. I was thinking of using a TP-Link Omada controller (OC300) with APs (EAP653) and connecting one AP to my managed switch via a DC power adapter. This would let me run DC wall plugs to power the remaining APs, forming a mesh network. Based on product info, this could work, but I’m not confident enough about the setup.

I’d really appreciate some guidance here—just want to stick with PFSense on protectli and avoid a dead router in bridge mode. Any tips would be great!
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G
Girgatina
06-11-2023, 07:39 AM #1

Hi everyone, I’m working on upgrading my home network and office setup. I’ve been using the AmpliFi HD mesh system for some time now, but I’m feeling a bit stuck. The router lacks certain features, and the boxes feel bulky. I’m planning to switch to PFSense on a dedicated device—probably a protectli box—to handle all my router and firewall tasks. This will power a small managed switch for my network.

The wireless part is giving me trouble too. Besides the annoyance, the mesh has a high WIFI handoff capability, which is great. But I need the switch to be easy to set up. I’ve checked other mesh systems, but they all come with a router, which I don’t want to pay for if I end up using it.

I live in a rental property. The landlord allows Ethernet cabling in existing conduits, but there’s no space on the upper floor or in the home office. While he’s happy to cover my future needs, he doesn’t want to drill into walls now. My home office has its own power supply and meter, so I can’t rely on Powerline for signal.

Mesh seems like the best path, but I’m unsure which gear works best for a stable, fast, all-over signal without breaking the bank. I was thinking of using a TP-Link Omada controller (OC300) with APs (EAP653) and connecting one AP to my managed switch via a DC power adapter. This would let me run DC wall plugs to power the remaining APs, forming a mesh network. Based on product info, this could work, but I’m not confident enough about the setup.

I’d really appreciate some guidance here—just want to stick with PFSense on protectli and avoid a dead router in bridge mode. Any tips would be great!

Reply
Reply