The title sounds like bitching but this post is more a request for advice. I’ve wanted to pull the trigger for six months now on buying my own router/modem and WAPs. I have a google mesh and it sucks, and I want to build a nas w/ plex and add a firewalla (or similar) to remove ads and manage my network. I’ve learned a lot already, but lately am hung up on the specifics. I honestly have no idea what equipment to buy to accomplish my goals. I don’t know the pitfalls of x vs y router, or when I’m spending $300 and only needed to buy an $120 part because I don’t need certain features, etc. I was looking around for something like the PCMR logical increments guide, but that doesn’t seem to be a thing in this world. My hope is to spend maybe 1k or so and get started. Can I get some direction from you kind folk?
Addendum info: My home isn’t wired for the WAPs, but I have a few hundred feet of cat6a cable at my disposal. Internet only comes in at one port upstairs in a corner over the garage. I do happen to own a 24 port switch and an old PC I plan to use to run the NAS. It’s about a 2k sq. foot home, but fairly spread out.
just remember, you can always spend more money. see if you can make do with what you have, and upgrade when you understand where your bottleneck is
