Enhancing your home network setup
Enhancing your home network setup
Currently I’m using a CRAPY internet connection over the phone line, but soon I’ll switch to the ISP’s Wi-Fi router. Once the new fiber arrives in the basement, I want a more stable and faster home network. The new link will be installed there. You mentioned considering a UniFi® Security Gateway as a router, though you’re unsure if it can handle the 1 GB fiber connection. You prefer its compact size and wall-mounting capability. In your plan, you’ll connect an UniFi® Switch Lite 8 PoE to a UniFi® Flex Mini Switch in the basement for office use (gaming, NAS), and a single line to the upstairs where a UniFi® Flex Switch will power two UniFi® 6 Lite Access Points. Does this arrangement make sense or should I explore an alternative? You’re thinking about using an EdgeRouter X in front of your setup to ensure each apartment gets at least half a GB of bandwidth, but it’s currently out of stock. Any suggestions would be appreciated so I can build a better network.
The USG must support a 1Gbps internet connection smoothly with the newest firmware. You’ll have to choose where to place the UniFi controller: either on a networked device or in the cloud. For local setups, the UniFi Cloud Key (version 2) works well if you want everything unified with UniFi, though it’s also possible to run it on a PC or Raspberry Pi. The main drawback of using a PC is that losing the file or data corrupts your setup and requires a fresh start. No need for an ER-X in this case. The ER-X functions as its own firewall/router and could replace the USG, but it’s not essential. For the neighbor above, simply create a distinct VLAN via the UniFi Controller on one of the UniFi Switch Lite PoE ports, then connect an Ethernet cable from that port to theirs. They can terminate traffic in their own switch or AP, while your controller manages DHCP. Check the guide on traffic control for more details.