Searching for an affordable 8 LAN port router.
Searching for an affordable 8 LAN port router.
I rarely encounter routers with more than four LAN connections. The ones I've seen usually cost hundreds of dollars, which might exceed your budget. Regarding 5GHz, it mainly depends on the surrounding conditions. If you reside in a dense urban area, Wifi performance will suffer significantly. Higher frequencies reduce both range and signal strength. Can you modify your DHCP server configurations on your router? Based on my experience with various models, I can change the starting and ending IP addresses for the DHCP pool. By narrowing the DHCP range using a different initial IP, any address between the router's assigned range and the DHCP server's start can be assigned as a static IP. For instance, if your router's IP is 192.168.1.1 and the DHCP server begins at 192.168.1.100 through 192.168.1.99, these could serve as static addresses. The advantage of this approach is that you only need to enter the static address on each device, rather than managing it within the router's DHCP settings. I own a Synology RT2600AC that effectively monitors bandwidth usage—this is my annual report. However, it breaks down into weekly and monthly summaries, tracking data per device and service. I suspect Synology has a newer WiFi 6 model, possibly using comparable technology. BUT I doubt it includes eight Ethernet ports, and I recall this router being around $200 when purchased, so the new one likely offers more features.
I can modify the pool range and input manual IPs based on MAC addresses, but that's all. It usually works fine, though I end up using a lot of my own bandwidth—often taking up half the router’s limits. If we had unlimited capacity, I wouldn’t hesitate, but I need to stay precise now. This interface is far better than what I’m used to, and I’m feeling pretty frustrated. When I run those weekly usage checks, I have to tally each device’s consumption manually, hoping the power stays on (like it did today). Otherwise, the data before that point disappears.
You've got a clear idea of what you're aiming for. The goal seems to be expanding coverage without relying on a single router. It makes sense to use two connected switches to handle all ports, with one switch managing seven Ethernet ports and another handling the final port. This setup avoids cluttering the space and keeps things organized. You mentioned flexibility in placement—moving the router or switches around would be ideal. A budget-friendly mesh system could also help improve signal quality throughout the house. The TP-Link app offers control features like tracking devices and data limits, which adds convenience. Overall, your approach seems practical and tailored to your needs.
For configurations exceeding 64, consider moving to PFSense or OPNsense for routing, then add separate APs. My current arrangement uses eight unmanaged switches behind an OPNsense router/firewall, with a TP link deco mesh system for Wi-Fi since it operates in AP-only mode and performs well. For your budget, I believe the setup I have will be most effective, relying on standard components that need minimal configuration—especially since you’d likely spend around $300 on a PFSense/OPNsense box, whereas I purchased it at a discounted price of $200 for the Barbone kit.
Choose an unmanaged switch for a simple setup. Use an 8 or 16-port model and secure it on the wall, connecting all your Ethernet cables to it. Send one cable from there to the router. The only router that fits your hardware needs is the Unifi Dream Wall from Ubiquiti, but it’s not in stock yet and exceeds your budget.