I currently run my network off my Virgin Media DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem which also acts as a WiFi router and has a built in 4 port GigE switch.
The network consists of;
Several PCs / Laptops
NAS / Plex Media Server
2 Chromecasts
5 LG Music Flow wireless speakers (with Chromecast Audio)
PS4
Multiple Android devices
Sky Q TV service (2 set-top boxes)
WiFi Printer
I use Devolo homeplug to currently link one of my Chromecasts and PS4 to the network and get approx 300M/bits
My main issues are;
Therefore I want to upgrade the network to ensure that I a) have proper wifi coverage and b) if I lose the internet connection the network doesn't go down with it.
My three options are:
Option 1
Turn an old PC into a PFSense router. I can then use my modem as a stand alone modem.
The PFSense router can then handle DHCP.
In to this I'll plug a standard switch and 2 access points (probably Unifi lite) one upstairs by the current router and one downstairs in the kitchen.
Option 2
Use a UniFi Security Gateway as my router
The router will feed into a UniFi managed switch and off that my two UniFi AP's.
Option 3
Ubiquiti's Amplifi wireless set-up
This is a wireless AC router which can be set-up as a mesh network. I can add another Mesh point to cover the whole house. https://store.amplifi.com/
Option 3 seems the easiest, however I'm unsure on the results I'd get.
Option 1 and 2 would require ethernet to be ran from the front upstairs office to the kitchen at the rear, so would need to be externally wired.
All 3 options would cost about the same. Which would give the best results?
Thanks
Scott
The network consists of;
Several PCs / Laptops
NAS / Plex Media Server
2 Chromecasts
5 LG Music Flow wireless speakers (with Chromecast Audio)
PS4
Multiple Android devices
Sky Q TV service (2 set-top boxes)
WiFi Printer
I use Devolo homeplug to currently link one of my Chromecasts and PS4 to the network and get approx 300M/bits
My main issues are;
■ As the modem is also the router, when the the internet goes down the whole network also does - I can't stream from Plex and start having other funny issues
■ As my modem is located in one of the front upstairs rooms (office) we have very bad reception downstairs, especially in the kitchen and outside.
■Our Sky Q TV service which relies on wifi to stream on-demand and transmit recordings to the other set-top box also often loses network connection.
Therefore I want to upgrade the network to ensure that I a) have proper wifi coverage and b) if I lose the internet connection the network doesn't go down with it.
My three options are:
Option 1
Turn an old PC into a PFSense router. I can then use my modem as a stand alone modem.
The PFSense router can then handle DHCP.
In to this I'll plug a standard switch and 2 access points (probably Unifi lite) one upstairs by the current router and one downstairs in the kitchen.
Option 2
Use a UniFi Security Gateway as my router
The router will feed into a UniFi managed switch and off that my two UniFi AP's.
Option 3
Ubiquiti's Amplifi wireless set-up
This is a wireless AC router which can be set-up as a mesh network. I can add another Mesh point to cover the whole house. https://store.amplifi.com/
Option 3 seems the easiest, however I'm unsure on the results I'd get.
Option 1 and 2 would require ethernet to be ran from the front upstairs office to the kitchen at the rear, so would need to be externally wired.
All 3 options would cost about the same. Which would give the best results?
Thanks
Scott
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