Support your club's network setup.
Support your club's network setup.
Hello, i run a club/lounge and im need of some upgrades with my network. currently we have a modem wifi router combo and a nighthawk router. The same it is set up is all my tvs, pos, sound system and any bossiness related equipment is ran off the modem wifi, then we have the nighthawk router for the guest wifi. As far as speed i believe it is around 200 mb. yes im aware that is terrible for my needs but its what the building came with. My question is what should i be looking to set up. i know il need to upgrade the speed greatly but as far as the network it self. should i be looking into one strong router or should i invest in a mesh network. The size of the building is not that large, the max amount of ppl i can have is only 150. generally on a busy night i have around 50 ppl including staff. on slower days i may not have as much ppl but i generally have heavier bandwitch user. ppl that bring their laptops for work. my current problem is i offten have to turn off the wifi for everyone because it starts making my audio system cut off since they wireless. any tips or advice would be great help! i dont want to set up a whole server room but i also dont want to just get a 100 dollars router and call it a day
In theory, your nighthawk should manage everything fine, but you might opt for a prosumer quality AP from brands like Ubiquiti or Ruckus for extra features. For groups of 50 to 200 people, a gigabit connection is ideal, and skipping the single AP in favor of cheaper routers in AP mode with a solid switch would ensure perfect coverage. For lounges or clubs, I’d recommend the prosumer path using one or two units (you’ll also need PoE injectors) – see the link for details.
For your scenario I recommend high-end equipment. Ubiquiti offers excellent products that are easy to use. For full network management opt for a PFSense router, paired with an Ubiquiti switch and access points connected to it. PFSense provides strong capabilities—set up VLANs to segment your network, control traffic flow, restrict bandwidth per user, block malicious sites, and prevent peer-to-peer sharing. The drawback is it's not as intuitive as a simple Ubiquiti router. You can skip separate guest networks; Ubiquiti access points support up to four SSIDs. To implement VLANs you'll need a Layer 2 switch, while a Layer 3 switch prepares for future network complexity. A PoE switch can power APs and cameras. It seems Linus uses PFSense in his studio or office.
Ubiquiti has been the choice brand you've been considering. Using that API, you can indeed set up a mesh network with them. You likely won't need a central hub if you're using two units—one at the back and one in front of the club. Multiple SSIDs are possible. For the PoE injectors, the Ethernet cables connect directly to the injectors, while the APs use separate connectors.
Fundamentally, yes it functions as a mesh network. Several SSIDs are feasible, allowing distinct networks for various uses; however, this might create some issues for users unfamiliar with technology. Unless you need separate networks, it's likely not necessary to set this up. The POE injectors are integrated inline, so connect the Cat5e/6 at one end using a DC power supply to deliver POE power through the output cable. Ideally, use a short patch cable and position the injector near the source to keep them visible. If you employ a POE-enabled switch, you can omit the injectors as they are already included. Each access point requires an injector—consider this when you don’t have a POE switch.
The Ubiquiti setup requires several components: a router, a switch, access points powered by injectors or a POE switch, and a controller for unified management of all access points. The Dream Machine Pro offers this in one unit except for the access points, and it can accommodate cameras if needed. Adding two Unifi 6 Pro or Lite access points completes the configuration unless you require more than eight network ports. For those unsure, hiring a network consultant is strongly advised. You must manage traffic between network segments to ensure security, prioritize essential devices over guests, and control access effectively. While mesh support exists, a wired connection to each access point provides greater reliability.