You need a device to connect it online, like a router or modem.
You need a device to connect it online, like a router or modem.
Problem A - Your home setup has been updated with a more central location for the modem and router, providing Ethernet access throughout the house. Keystones now connect to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. For the guest house, consider placing a specific device there to extend Ethernet and Wi-Fi coverage. Think about whether you want guests to join your network or keep it private. You might explore options for network separation if needed. Problem B - You're looking to create a home cloud for storing media and backups across multiple HDDs. The best device would depend on storage capacity, speed, and ease of use—likely a high-capacity external drive or a dedicated NAS unit would suit this purpose well.
I’d estimate the cost could go as high as $400, just in case it needs a longer lifespan or at least gives me a warning before any issues arise. Synology seems like a solid option—I’ll explore more details later. The AP feels more time-sensitive; I looked into Unifi but need guidance on inserting the Guest house keys. To be clear, the three GH keys are located in walls with Cat6 cables, all converging at a single point for connection to the AP. I really like the guest mode—it’s a perfect fit.
Cut the Cat6 cable from the main house and connect it to a managed or unmanaged gigabit switch. Link the keystone devices to the remaining ports on the switch. Attach the AP to another port on the switch.
Consider separating the traffic from this guest house to maintain privacy and security for both sides. If your main router supports isolating LANs or setting up VLANs, you’d just need an unmanaged switch and a wireless AP at the guest house. Without that capability, you’ll need a managed switch positioned between the router and the unmanaged switch. I wouldn’t put a managed switch inside the guest house since it could give guests easy access to its resources or ports. For managed switches, I’d recommend Ubiquiti Switch Lite only because of my experience with the UniFi interface that works well with my existing network management setup. I’m not comfortable with other brands, but others might have better ideas.
I collected a TP-Link AP and an unmanaged Netgear switch. Everything is connected in the Guest House and functioning properly. I need advice on securing the Wi-Fi from the AP. My router is a Netgear R6400v2, and the AP is a TP-Link EAP225. Any suggestions?
On the EAP225... Modify the default admin credentials Activate WPA with a robust password Activate SSID isolation You can restrict the number of connecting devices and/or even establish a captive portal You may also block visitors from reaching the EAP225’s management interface by entering your computer’s MAC address in Management Access On the R6400. Think about configuring OpenDNS with filters or utilizing the integrated Parental Controls (which rely on OpenDNS) if you wish to control network traffic. Keep in mind, although they’re visitors, your ISP will view all this activity as your own You might also consider enabling QoS for the LAN port connected to the switch/EAP225 so guests don’t consume all your bandwidth