Understanding routers, switches, and access points for home networks
Understanding routers, switches, and access points for home networks
I want to improve my home network. My villa has a large ground floor with thick concrete walls, which makes the Wi-Fi weak when using the ISP router. I plan to upgrade with my own router, a few switches, and multiple access points. Is this layout suitable? Should I connect an access point through a switch instead of directly to the router? Can I use unmanaged switches here? My switches are near fixed devices like PCs and TVs. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! In my old home, power line adapters worked well because they were simple to set up. Now I’m in a different country and they don’t work with my current setup or mains power.
Not too bad. I prefer avoiding access points near the edges because they tend to broadcast WiFi loudly outside. (If that's your goal, an outdoor unit would be better so it doesn't have to shout through walls.) I'd place one in the sitting room where the office and kitchen walls converge; this should cover the whole side of the house. Definitely. You only need managed switches if you're adjusting link speeds intentionally or experimenting with VLANs (which is usually not needed at home). A single flat network works just fine.
Thanks in advance! Your response helps a lot. It’s great you’re saving on the extra AP! Awesome news—just need to get the kit access points soon. Appreciate the tips! (Supply can be tight where I am.)
One tip: Avoid placing mounting hardware in these fixed spots until you activate the WiFi APs and assess the coverage. You might discover that thick concrete walls block the signal entirely when an AP is mounted against them. Usually, central areas like the office, kitchen, and living room will function well on wooden interiors. But if the walls are concrete, shifting the AP closer to the sitting room could improve performance. This works because doors and doorways help carry some signal deeper into the house.
Additionally, you don’t have to install a switch at every access point. You can simply use PoE from your router or connect a PoE switch to it. Having both Wi-Fi and a wired switch in each room might seem unnecessary.