Troubleshooting a complicated home network setup
Troubleshooting a complicated home network setup
Hello, so I need help determining the best approach to a complicated home network. See My Mother, Younger Brother, his wife and 2 children, and myself are all going in together on a home (times are pretty tough). The place we're looking at getting has a main house with two large bedrooms upstairs, then it has a separate garage attached to a full functioning apartment. My brother and his family are taking the apartment, my mother is getting one large room, and I'm getting the other. So I'm trying figure out how we're going to set up the network, as I'm sure the cable company would charge us extra to have a second modem. What we're wanting to do is dig a hole and run a pipe with a cable through it from the main house to the apartment, it's not a particularly long distant so we're not concerned about signal degradation. While I'm no stranger to working on networks, did it for the Navy for 5 years, it's been almost 6 years since I've last considered doing something like this. I'm hoping someone could give me advice on what's the best equipment to use for this project, and maybe a link to a solid tutorial. Needs: Advice on the best Modem for this (the provider says they offer 1gb service, unlimited data) Advice on the best routers to use A good tutorial My brother is a light internet user, but he does need a stable connection for internet calling. His wife, is also a light user The kids are still too young for the internet, the oldest being 5 They do however stream TV shows with multiple devices My mother is also a light user, though she does also stream TV shows I am, what is considered, a hardcore gamer. Known to play my fair share of MMOs A heavy internet user And have, apparently, "Forced" Comcast to put restriction on my account...... multiple times...... They'll generally remove the restriction if I call asking why my internet is slow when I'm paying for the higher end service >.> So yea those are the needs of all parties involved. The idea right now is that we're going to run from the modem to the router (router #1) in the main house, then from there we'll run to the second router (router #2) in the apartment. Though I'm not 100% certain this is the best approach. Current I have: Modem: Motorola SURFboard SB6141 Router: Netgear Nighthawk R7000 Those are both mine, to my knowledge my brother does not own a router or modem.
Top choice modem is the SB8200, usually priced around $150. For a router, the Nighthawk works well but depends on coverage area and nearby Wi-Fi users.
For optimal setup, combine all devices into one router and modem at the main entry point of your home. Use robust cat6 cabling for unmanaged switches in other areas. Since everyone likely shares the same internet connection, privacy concerns may take a back seat to ease of scaling and control. This method also allows you to add extra Wi-Fi access points wherever needed, simply connecting them to the nearest switch. If security is critical, consider a more durable routing solution.
We're considering around 2100 square feet for the primary residence, with an additional 450 square feet for the apartment. Privacy isn’t a major concern at the moment, though I’m not sure what the future holds—especially since the oldest child is five years old. I’m uncertain about the neighbors’ setup; I’ve only visited the house once to take a look. I’ll investigate the Wi-Fi access points and switches, as that might be my best option. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it before.
I agree with @Tabs. How much distance separates your house from the garage? Instead of digging a hole and running Ethernet cables underground, consider placing an access point near the garage and using a WiFi repeater inside it. Another option is building a mesh Wi-Fi network. You can browse Newegg for "mesh WiFi" to explore available products.
Notice the initial idea I had, but my younger sibling isn't interested. He's not particularly tech-savvy, yet once he forms an opinion about how things should work, he won't consider opposing views. The suggestion was that "Wireless Bridges aren't stable; you should set up a mesh network." As the person managing the network, I firmly rejected the mesh option (I doubt he grasps its purpose or mechanics), but I couldn't persuade him to switch from the wireless bridge. Since it's his own space, all I could do was convince him to let me run a Cat6 cable from the house into his apartment. That's what sparked these discussions.
I pass on the repeater option but mesh could work well since it employs a different backhaul radio. A 5 GHz link is strong when the signal quality is sufficient between devices. Connecting Cat6 to the apartment makes sense; a switch there would support wired connections. If Wi-Fi performance is poor, adding an access point nearby could help. Hiding cable and routing it through each unit can be challenging, but it’s worthwhile for future connectivity needs. The SB8200 or MB8600 are solid modem choices—MB8600 is recommended if you have concerns. If he objects, he can always secure his own connection.
The situation involves understanding data limits and costs related to internet usage. In the area, Comcast imposes a 1 TB monthly cap, with additional charges for exceeding it. Payments are structured at $10 per 50 Gbps over the limit, or an extra $50 each month for unlimited service. This suggests heavy data consumption is likely.
Many users report needing multiple terabytes of data each month, which could trigger such billing. The recommendation leans toward aligning with @Lurick’s advice, emphasizing a high-performance modem. It’s important to note that the 1 Gb speed offered by some devices may be costly, especially when considering the ongoing expenses.
From a router perspective, compatibility with Comcast’s 1Gb service is a key factor. While some models claim support, the price tag remains significant—around $200 for top-tier equipment. This indicates that performance might be limited compared to newer standards.
For practical setup, options like Ubiquti products or a PF-Sense box are often suggested. These devices can handle similar requirements and may offer better value. Alternatively, a mesh network system could provide reliable coverage without requiring extensive cabling.
When deciding, consider your budget, data needs, and whether running Ethernet is feasible. Evaluate whether the investment in a new router or additional hardware aligns with your expectations. The choice ultimately hinges on balancing cost, performance, and coverage based on your specific situation.