Exploring Basic Home Networking Discovering essential concepts behind home networking systems.
Exploring Basic Home Networking Discovering essential concepts behind home networking systems.
Well, I tend to skip drawing the diagrams because I thought it’d be straightforward enough. Internet → GPON Router in Bridge Mode → A better wireless router than what the ISP offers, or definitely a pfSense running on an old Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 PC if it makes sense → … And here’s where things start to get intriguing (for me). I’m considering a few networks. One for a private network for my family—PCs, laptops, tablets, TV, HTPC, smart TV, and a media NAS full of movies. Everyone in this group can see each other. A guest Wi-Fi is also planned, still secured with a password (though ISPs in my country enforce FUP, which is frustrating). It has limited bandwidth, and since many routers can handle it without separate devices, a commercial router would be nice. This seems like the main idea. Another network would cover IoT devices—another 2.4GHz router/AP if needed—for smart home gadgets, sensors, and especially cameras (not necessarily IP-based). I don’t need microSD cameras; I can buy a 1 TB CCTV-optimized drive to store everything, and high-end microSDs are too costly in my region. To keep control, I’d prefer any setup that blocks other devices from communicating except those I own. Or… someone with real experience setting up simple networks could walk me through it. This has been puzzling my mind for a while, honestly. Why?
When your ISP offers a standalone wireless router, avoid using it. Opt for one you can manage independently. Alternatively, if they provide an internet gateway—combined unit including modem and router—switch to bridged configuration and add your own device. If funds permit, split responsibilities by using dedicated wired routers/firewalls linked to specific switches and wireless access points. Connect as many devices as feasible; this boosts wired reliability and eases the load on AP radios for wireless-only connections. For surveillance setups, prefer wired solutions. Most wireless options rely on 2.4GHz, which becomes crowded quickly. Synology NAS units support recording IP camera footage and storing various media types. You won’t need separate APs for guest networks or IoT gadgets. To create distinct networks, premium equipment lets you generate multiple SSIDs and VLANs on a single device. My suggestions for gear: Router/firewall—Ubiquiti EdgeRouter or pfSense/Untangle; managed switches from Ubiquiti for finer VLAN control via UniFi Controller APs; consider UAP-AC access points or wave-2 models with extra radios. For learning, check channels by Lawrence Systems and Crosstalk Solutions, plus Willie Howe’s content.
Well, most ISPs provide a gateway, but some actually rent it for profit—which is frustrating. Four months paying them feels like buying them outright. I’m considering a router with a GPON input to cut down on usage, though finding one locally is tough. Even if available, it’s a prosumer product.
Since my home space is already limited, a standard AC router-switch (like the TP-Link Archer) should suffice. But I can’t be sure until I actually have the right gear.
I was hoping to wire the cameras instead of using Wi-Fi. That would be safer and avoids interference from too many devices blocking internet access. So far I’ve just connected them via a wired link to my laptop.
This is interesting—I noticed UniFi AP AC Lite, one of the cheaper options I found online. Can it perform well? Likely not to require Ubiquity’s own hardware. Maybe an old PC running pfSense would work better, though that might strain the 65W power supply for constant router use.
2.5 GHz for most devices, 2.4 GHz mainly for IoT gadgets, perhaps. Thanks for the helpful YouTube channels—great references! It’s funny to imagine how far we’ve come thinking about the future, yet it still feels uncertain.
When dealing with fiber links, you typically need to connect to their ONT. You can always install your own router after converting the ONT to bridge mode. This isn't about house size. Wireless routers claim coverage for specific areas, but those measurements are idealized; real homes—especially those with multiple floors or complex layouts—present different challenges. For under five wireless devices in a rural setting, a basic consumer router might work. However, today’s environment is far more demanding: 2020 brings intense competition for WiFi bandwidth, and most homes host ten or more devices simultaneously. That’s not a simple situation.
The UAP-AC-Lite functions as a wireless access point, not a router. It still needs another device to manage routing. If you require VLAN support or similar features, you’ll need a router capable of handling those tasks. You’re moving into the realm of premium consumer equipment at this stage. While a Ubiquiti router or firewall isn’t mandatory, sticking with the same brand simplifies integration. VLAN data can be shared across UniFi devices using the controller, USG, or even the UAP-AC-Lite itself.
The UDM was built as a complete, self-contained unit for straightforward UniFi setups without complex configurations. It’s ideal for beginners but can be expanded later. You’ve seen more advanced networks shift to non-Ubiquiti solutions like pfSense or Untangle, even though they use Ubiquiti hardware. These alternatives offer greater power and flexibility but demand more technical know-how.
In terms of hardware, you can buy low-power devices tailored for pfSense (such as Netgate or Protectli) or build your own from an old PC. This doesn’t mean EdgeRouter or USG are useless for simple setups. When you’re ready to begin, we can assist in planning a tailored solution. I also recommend consulting a local expert for a thorough assessment—on-site analysis often uncovers savings through bulk purchasing and optimized designs.
Yeah, and since most homes at my country's using 20 cm wide concrete for the walls either (that's why I prefer more on wired connection for everything if possible) so I figure probably I'd go for the Ubiquity's one, perhaps. Well, I've been into a lot of wi-fis (I actually looking into detail on where the placement of the signal source lol) with mostly of them just using the ISP provided gateways on homes (and sadly it sometimes sucks if I have to play online games, but better than using my own data to stream lol), and few public ones that actually utilizing Cisco's AP, even a really old G LinkSys AP. On my campus that actually phasing those old UniFi AP (not even the AC, only 2.4GHz at 300 Mbps) for the better Cisco box-shaped ones, which (they said) priced a lot more times per device, like, well, you can't really expect too much from a congested public wi-fi, anyway. At least they're using 5 GHz right now. And actually researching's of this actually kinda fun lol Welp, probably 3-5 phones, a laptop or two on 5GHz (and 2.4GHz for legacy devices and guest network), and a bunch of IoT devices on 2.4GHz with separate SSID and VLAN. UAP-AC Lite still in consideration because I need VLAN, anyway. Can't really find any consumer-grade (than old TP-Link's) that can actually ca use VLAN cheaply enough. Welp, I watched more of YouTube channels you gave me before, and actually think Mikrotik router's looks good enough. And fortunately a lot of user of that router either, even on a small-scale ISP reselling scenario. Yes, I know it's easier to use probably USG/EdgeRouter, but those are way overpriced because people here barely using Ubiquity's firewall/router. Mikrotik's everywhere here. My campus actually using this one brand (saw it from the captive portal obviously). Fun fact, barely any people actually using pfSense here of so far what I saw, despite it's open-source nature. Just a little question of routers, somehow. For example, if I stream a movie from my local NAS to a TV, or just simply transfer files at least on 1 gigabit speed locally, I won't need a gigabit router, right? In this case, NAS, and computers were connected on the same switch. Just the switches and the devices that needs to at least support gigabit to reach the speed, right? Correct me if I wrong somehow. Welp, I appreciate for such thing and the suggestion. Thanks!