Tips for those just starting out.
Tips for those just starting out.
Hi! Please accept my apologies if this isn’t the right place for this update—I’m not entirely sure where to place it. I’m a co-owner of a small startup with a modest office. Our finances are tight, so we’ve had to work with a minimal network setup. As you can imagine, we’re starting to see some problems, but we’ve kept going through the tough times. To give you a sense of our current situation: we use a basic ISP modem, router, switch, and access point—essentially that standard combo. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done. Now that we have a bit more flexibility, we’re thinking about improving our network infrastructure. We aim to gradually upgrade over the next few months and feel confident about having a more reliable setup. However, enterprise-grade solutions remain out of reach due to budget constraints. Hiring a professional to handle planning, configuration, and installation is also beyond our means. So I’m taking the lead. I have some basic networking experience from CISCO courses back in 2004-2005, and I’m comfortable with system building. While my expertise is limited compared to certified professionals, I’m eager to learn and put in the effort. Our interns can assist with wiring tasks, and our office space isn’t huge. Right now, we have one DSL line and some Cat6 or Cat5e cables available. For Phase 1 (2028), we’re planning:
- Six desktops linked via Ethernet
- Around 15–20 devices using Wi-Fi, including a wireless printer and Chromecast
- In Phase 2 (early next year), adding ten more desktops via Ethernet, plus twenty additional Wi-Fi devices
- A NAS that all devices can reach (protected by password)
- Possibly a Load Balancer to connect our current DSL with the upcoming fiber line
We’re aiming for internet access and basic printing. Initially, I considered a single wireless router connected to the modem, but that’s no longer practical. I explored options like a 21-port switch and two WAPs, but after reviewing many options, I’m leaning toward pfSense—a firewall solution that seems well-suited. I’m seeking advice on whether building this from second-hand parts makes sense or if buying a ready-made router/firewall from TP-Link would be more economical. Also, I’m curious about MESH networking and how it could fit into our plan.
Since we’re based in Manila, Philippines, availability of certain components is a factor, which might push us toward a DIY approach. While platforms like eBay and Craigslist can help, we also have access to local online marketplaces for hardware.
Honestly, unless your company relies heavily on technology, I’d prefer someone to build the network for you and handle the setup. This forum is meant for those who like to do things themselves, but for a business this is crucial—make sure everything functions properly and is fully supported. They understand which solutions fit specific needs. During an outage, you shouldn’t be stuck trying to fix whatever temporary setup you’ve made. Security is another key concern; a professional IT team would handle it effectively and provide the right approach. I’m not saying you’re incapable, but if your main income depends on it, you deserve a system that reduces downtime for your team.
If you want to use Fiber and DSL both, you do not need Load Balancer (if we follow terminology here). It's usually named dual WAN, however using multiple internet connections simultaneously is kinda difficult and might not give expected results. I'm pretty sure Fiber speeds might be enough, so DSL could be a backup solution (e.g. in case fiber goes down). Unfortunately these require different devices. For optical connections, you need something that has respective fiber female connector. DSL uses standard RJ45/8P8C connector, however it is different from standard Ethernet, requiring you to have necessary device to do the "translating". pfSense is a good option for router and firewall. As for building a system, you may be better off using server-grade parts (or even an old server), that has better redundancy and reliability than standard PC builds. pfSense also supports dual WAN and high availability setups. I would avoid using consumer-grade (e.g. TP-Link) routers, they tend to lose performance rather quickly. Also you may want to consider securing your internal network, VLANs for example. For wireless, I recommend getting proper wireless access points, for example something from Ubiquiti lineup. Finally - since it is an enterprise environment, make sure you are up for the task (that you absolutely know what you are doing) and/or purchase a support plan or find someone, who knows about networking and can create a great setup for you.
Hi there, thanks for your input. To sum it up, we're a small firm with mostly offline operations. We’re not aiming for a big-scale system since our budget limits us, and we’re not a tech startup handling personal data or interacting with customers. Our server will store PSDs, AI tools, and similar files—no major security risks if they get exposed. For the past three years we’ve used this ISP-provided modem as our router and AP, which has been reliable enough despite occasional slowdowns during gaming sessions or phone drops. We’re thinking about moving to a better setup eventually, mainly for organizing work files and connecting more desktops via Ethernet. That’s why I’m seeking advice so we can grow together and prepare for future expansion. If we ever need enterprise features, I hope I’ll be ready to handle them myself.
This platform no longer exists. Maintaining a digital footprint is essential if you engage with clients or customers online through emails, forums, websites, etc. Are your customer details stored in physical files only, or do you also keep electronic copies? If electronic records are used, where are they kept? Do you utilize a CRM system to manage these data, or are documents like invoices stored locally on hard drives? What payment information is retained for past, scheduled, or return customers? It’s important that your clients wouldn’t feel threatened if such details were exposed due to a security breach. How do you safeguard your storage against hacking or loss? If a malicious link in an email triggers the loss of all consolidated files, it could delay your work and cost you more than the original payment. For employees reliant on your services, protecting your systems is crucial to avoid disruptions. If budget constraints prevent professional setup, sticking with your current ISP might be safer than dealing with improperly configured hardware or network devices until you can afford expert assistance. Learning about networking isn’t relevant here—don’t treat your business as an IT playground. This approach is misguided and could jeopardize your operations. If expansion requires advanced tools, consider hiring a dedicated IT team instead.