Linking the access point directly to the modem is feasible. Refer to the diagram for guidance.
Linking the access point directly to the modem is feasible. Refer to the diagram for guidance.
Hi everyone! My partner and I recently purchased a brand new home in the Netherlands. It's a prefab building, so everything is built with concrete and all wiring is hidden. The plan is to move in right away after delivery without any extra renovations. We’re currently using a fiber connection from our provider, which includes a modem/router combo. We intend to install this on the ground floor utility closet and use it solely as a modem. Inside the house, we have smart lighting via Hue, a few smart TVs, some phones, and gaming PCs in the attic for work. The main challenge is setting up a Ubiquiti Dream Machine in the attic (second floor) to connect our computer directly to the LAN. Unfortunately, the signal drops downstairs. I’m trying to cover more area but only have one cable going to the attic, so extending it isn’t straightforward. Could I use another port on the ground-floor modem to expand the network for the Dream Machine? Or should the Access Point be directly linked to the Dream Machine itself? It would help if the Access Point could connect to the modem upstairs while still allowing the Dream Machine to reach all devices in the attic. Any ideas or alternatives would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot. Seeing the diagram in the picture would be useful if possible.
Impressively, the best method to increase pass through LAN cables is via VLANs. This approach might seem challenging for those just starting out.
I've included a diagram to clarify things. It seems vLANS might not be necessary since both the access point and dream machine have their own cables. The main concern is whether the access point can extend the network—it's linked to the modem, not directly to the dreamscape. I was thinking of using two routers to create separate networks with the same data, but that wouldn't form a mesh and would cause signal loss when moving. I wanted a mesh topology even though the access point isn't directly connected to the dream machine.
Mesh network refers to a quick way of describing complex wireless challenges. Using two VLAN-capable switches—one near the modem and another at the device you’re using—you can connect two networks via the cable linking floors 0 and 2. On floor 0, set up two in ports: one from the modem to the AP, with untagged VLANs and excluded traffic. Assign VLAN 100 for internet access and VLAN 105 for LAN. At floor 2, connect through an out port with both vLANs tagged (105 and 100), leaving untagged VLANs off for the cable going to the Dream Machine. On floor 2, use one in port with both tagged VLANs, no untagged VLANs, and have two out ports—one carrying untagged VLAN 100 and another routed to the WAN interface of the Dream Machine, plus one untagged VLAN 105 and another excluded from the LAN side.
Here’s a rephrased version of your text:
This approach keeps things simple. I believe you can skip VLANs and still set up things easily. Here’s how I’d handle it… Link the wireless router straight to the fiber gateway on the ground floor, placing it in the center for best coverage. In the attic, install a PoE switch and an AP so both wired and wireless options are available. On the middle floor, you’ll need to decide later which setup works best based on signal reach. Since you’re using Ubiquiti/UniFi gear, they’ll all connect together under one Controller.
For the wireless router – use UDR*
For the switch – USW-Lite-8-PoE or USW-Lite-16-PoE
For the AP – U6-PLUS, U6-Mesh, U6-IW, or U6-Enterprise-IW
The UDR is the UniFi Dream Router, not the older UDM model. The earlier version had overheating problems, which are resolved in the UDR with WiFi 6 support.
These PoE switches can power any APs listed. While the UDR offers two PoE Ethernet ports, they use 802.3af power, which may not provide enough energy for the APs or IWs. You can proceed, but you’ll need to keep the fiber gateway in its default setting (so it remains your main router). Positioning the UDR behind it could cause double-NAT issues. If possible, try to avoid having two routers on the same LAN to simplify things. You can run many modern APs in AP mode to disable their router functions and maintain control. Configuring each AP with precise WiFi settings is essential to prevent interference and ensure strong signals.
UniFi makes it easy for all connected devices to be recognized by the Controller, allowing centralized management. The WiFi can also stay in automatic mode, letting the software pick optimal channels and power levels to minimize interference and maximize coverage. All UniFi APs linked to the same Controller support seamless roaming between them, so mobile users will always stay connected as long as they’re near an AP.
This setup resembles a mesh system but often performs better. If you need extra range, you can add more U6-Mesh or U6-Extender on the middle floor when coverage is insufficient.
Thanks for your feedback. I've adjusted our plan to incorporate the UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition with the modem. It includes a built-in network POE switch for connecting APs and cameras, acts as a router, and stores camera footage. We'll begin with one AP to test coverage, then expand as needed based on available connectivity points. This approach allows us to optimize placement across multiple locations. What are your thoughts?
Yes, it's possible there could be an alternative path or additional elements like a camera on the exterior wall. We aim to make this structure adaptable for the future. The cost difference is approximately €50 in the Netherlands.
I can agree with the goal, but it's still paying 50 euros in advance. And at least 1 PoE port is wasted (uplink + 4 devices = 5 ports).
Absolutely, that's correct. I put in extra effort to create a more comprehensive design. While it could feel excessive for an ordinary house, my lifestyle supports it. I spend a lot of time editing videos from home, my partner occasionally works remotely but with lighter tasks, we both enjoy gaming and appreciate high-quality 4K content. All these factors combined suggest we’re building something similar.