Internet setup for whole building
Internet setup for whole building
You're considering setting up a building-wide internet by placing an ISP modem on the second floor and using Ethernet cables. This approach can work if you manage signal interference well. You likely won't need more than one switch to complete the network. To secure the connections, isolate them properly—use twisted pairs or shielded cables, and consider physical separation from other devices. A 200–300 Mbps connection should suffice for your needs. For the best performance, opt for high-quality Ethernet cables like Cat6 or higher.
You should set up individual VLANs and subnets for each apartment. Then configure the firewall to isolate those VLANs, preventing communication between units. For Wi-Fi, create a distinct SSID for each apartment and assign it to the relevant VLAN. This ensures all Wi-Fi traffic stays within its designated network. Alternatively, you might skip Wi-Fi entirely, enabling tenants to purchase their own routers and connect via the provided Ethernet ports. The approach depends on the internet access requirements.
It seems like you're planning to set up individual Wi-Fi routers for each device. That approach is generally secure. A 200-300 Mbps connection should suffice for most needs. For the cables, a standard Ethernet cable works best for reliable performance.
As long as each cable is individually subnetted and VLANed for every apartment, it should work fine. I’d still set up a firewall at the connection point (linked to the modem) to maintain proper separation. Whether 200 or 300 Mbps will suffice completely depends entirely on your tenants’ requirements. I can’t give you a definitive answer here. That said, 300 Mbps divided by 6 equals about 50 Mbps per unit, which is reasonable. You should also set QoS to ensure each tenant receives at least 50 Mbps (with the option to boost up to the full 300 Mbps if no one else is using it). For cabling options, you have several choices—Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7, or Cat 7a. All of these support up to 1Gbps. Which one to pick? It depends on whether you want to future-proof your installation. Future proofing is often overused, but in this case it makes sense. Personally, I’d go with Cat 6 as a safe starting point. I might opt for Cat 6a to allow more flexibility for upgrades without hitting speed limits later.
You wouldn't be surprised... at least my ISP (Rogers) provided me with a really basic router offering limited choices. Probably comes down to what your provider sends you.
The ISP modem likely has very simple QoS options, but it’s unlikely you can adjust these through the modem itself. For better performance, use an enterprise-grade router paired with a managed switch. Options are available at reasonable prices, such as the Ubiquiti Edge Router.
I live in Brazil where prices can be high, especially for things like Ubiquiti gear. I discovered this budget-friendly switch here: https://www.tp-link.com/br/products/deta...G108E.html. It claims QoS and VLAN support. Can it handle those features while keeping costs low?