Network setup basics for homes
Network setup basics for homes
Hey there! I’m glad you reached out. Let’s talk through this together. With a 2500 sq/ft home, split evenly between upstairs and downstairs, you’ve got a solid base. Your current setup uses Telus Pure Fibre with gigabit speeds and a hardwired connection to your networking room—good choice for stability. The Telus WiFi modem works, though it does need regular reboots.
You’re weighing the Google WiFi mesh system against Ubiquiti Unifi 6 Lite or TP-Link Omada 6 AX1800. The Omada looks promising with its performance specs, and since you mentioned Windows setup can be tricky, the unified management apps might simplify things.
For placement, a PoE switch would be ideal, and staggered positioning could help balance coverage. If you’re aiming for top-tier APs, double-check your budget and consider what features matter most to you—whether it’s speed, ease of use, or reliability. What do you think about focusing on one central PoE node versus two per floor?
this setup mainly depends on your budget rather than your specific needs. today a TV in the living room often requires network connectivity too, so combining them might be practical. based on coverage and requirements elsewhere, you might need an additional AP upstairs if your living room is at one end of the house. currently I’m considering moving away from my POE switch since the wiring to the AP is poor and the voltage on the WAP side is low. I’m also exploring running all garage network equipment off a single DC source with battery backup—it’s challenging when everything runs on 12 volts, but then your switch needs much higher voltage. I’m thinking about hardwiring as many devices as possible; if you can do that, skip the mesh. another idea I heard is wiring Wi-Fi discreetly in a historically significant building, keeping the infrastructure hidden. For example, since the upper floor ceiling was wood, the APs could be placed in the attic, and the signal worked better than drilling through walls. I don’t remember what they did for the lower floors—either they concealed WAPs behind fake walls or installed them in the basement.
I have installed a wired setup for my TV and for when I move my computer to play certain games with my wife or while watching me. This winter I've done many cable runs, and the drop ceiling in the basement makes managing and routing easier. The WiFi is mainly for phones, Nintendo consoles, and Chrome casts on various TVs upstairs. Having WiFi downstairs would be much better. Right now the Telus AP is in the basement near the master bedroom, and the signal in the living room is inconsistent. Downstairs works fine enough. I thought placing a single AP in the upstairs center would suffice, but worried about its directionality. My first plan was an AP in the upstairs center, though I'm open to having two APs for around 400 Canadian dollars—just under my budget.
Begin with an AP and one of those five-port gigabit switches sorted by price. Hide the AP behind the living room TV, then test the setup. You can always add more gear or adjust the WAP, but once you buy something, it's hard to take it back.
I wouldn't suggest either TP-Link or Ubiquiti AP without knowing more details. Both have their strengths, but I recommend checking recent reviews and comparing features that matter most to you. If you're just starting out, consider simpler options first before diving into advanced routers.
I purchase TP-link when I'm looking for affordable options. (I actually do it.) Their budget models are quite solid, even though they only offer around 70Mbps. I don’t have much experience with Ubiquiti—they focus more on cloud and apps, which isn’t my style. Right now, my go-to Wi-Fi router is a Draytek VigorAP960C because it’s cheaper than similar products, and the white disc design gets a lot of approval. It’s a Taiwanese brand, so that’s what you expect. On the other hand, if you prefer app-based setups, Ubiquiti seems to be the best fit—they’ve really built their ecosystem well.