Get a router and wireless access points for reliable connectivity.
Get a router and wireless access points for reliable connectivity.
You're considering an upgrade from your current setup to a more modern network configuration. With four switches and hard wired access points, you're looking for three additional Wi-Fi access points that can cover your property effectively. Your budget is around $1000 or less, and you have many devices—phones, IoT gadgets, etc.—on the network. A good option would be a solid, affordable router with multiple access points and strong coverage. Look into models offering robust performance, decent range, and support for multiple devices. Options under $1000 often include routers with built-in Wi-Fi 6 or 5GHz support, which can handle your current load while providing better speed and stability.
For gigabit connections, you require a router capable of handling NAT efficiently. A simple “gigabit port” isn’t enough. Typically, an ISP-provided gateway meets this need, but you may also want additional capabilities from your own setup. If you need VPN functionality and advanced security features like IDS/IPS or heavy processing tasks, standard consumer hardware might fall short. Most users opt for a firewall appliance such as pfSense, OPNSense, Untangle or OpenWRT. You can find ready-made solutions from manufacturers like Netgate, Qotom, ProtectLi, etc., matching the right specs. Alternatively, repurposing an old computer with at least two Ethernet ports works well. Consider what matters most: physical design, wireless capacity, speed consistency, network generation, and brand options such as Ubiquiti, Grandstream, EnGenius, TP-Link, Mikrotik, etc. More wired connections generally deliver better performance.
The form factor doesn’t matter; everything will fit neatly or in areas where it’s needed. I’m open to any choices. Expect around 20-30 wireless devices. I prefer Wi-Fi 6 with the corresponding speeds, though I don’t anticipate 1G over Wi-Fi.