Updated grid structure for bigger residential spaces
Updated grid structure for bigger residential spaces
My family has used an ARRIS modem/router/switch setup for about seven years, and I was considering upgrades for our home network. The software indicates it was last updated in 2016. We currently rely on Spectrum with a 300mbps limit. Our router is located in the living room on the first floor, connected via cable to the basement's electrical room. I’m exploring a new configuration that would better suit our needs, aiming to centralize everything in the basement’s electrical room where the home’s Ethernet breakout board is situated. For the modem upgrade, I was considering a Netgear Gigabit cable model (DOCSIS 3.1) for future compatibility and Spectrum support. I’m planning a 5-port Gigabit unmanaged switch between this device and the router, which will connect to a single room over Ethernet. My main challenge is picking a Wi-Fi router that works well in a large home without negative reviews or complicated installation issues. Are there reliable mesh networks available that offer good performance, are affordable, and include Ethernet backhaul with Wi-Fi 6?
Ubiquiti Amplifi HD and Google’s systems both work well. I’ve installed and tested each. The Amplifi HD fits neatly into wall sockets like air purifiers, while Google’s setup is more straightforward. A solid router easily covers big homes, and their coverage area is quite extensive. I’m not sure what “large” means without specific details like square footage or floor count. Cost matters if you have a huge house.
Choose a modem featuring a 2.5 Gbps connection, as Gigabit models cap performance at 940 Mbps. Both Spectrum and Comcast appear focused on Docsis 4 updates. It's unclear how this affects your setup right now. It seems you may be mixing a modem with a gateway. Gateways combine both functions in one device. A regular cable modem lacks features like NAT or firewall, so adding a switch between them won't help. Spectrum will assign just one IPv4 address unless you upgrade, so you'll need a router linked directly to the modem—unless you opt for a gateway.