Hi, and sorry in advance if this is the wrong community to post this. But I seek some advice on how I can upgrade my home networking setup that also connects my selfhosted services.
I have posted a shitty Visio that visualized my current setup, but just to describe it in some words.
I use an aging Amplifi HD router and access point, that is connected through wireless to a mesh point.
It works, but I am aware how much of the throughput disappears when connecting through the meshpoint. And I would also like to utilize newer technologies like Wifi 6 (i already have devices that support this standard) or even 6E.
So I thought about switching the router to a dedicated one without a wireless access point, and then wire an access point to provide wireless access.
While I was at it, it could be interesting going from gigabit to 2.5 for the wired devices. One of the homelabs could be modified to utilize it. Or at least just gain the possibility in a future upgrade, by getting a router that supports it while I am at it.
My question is, what would you suggest I upgraded with? I’m open for OpenWRT or PFsense/OPNsense, and keeping things modular.
Edit: and I am located within the EU, if it has any bearing on what devices are available without crazy import duties.
Budget (about 200 euro):
- Mikrotik hex s router
- TP-Link eap610 access point
- Unmanaged trendnet switch
Better(400-500 euro):
- Fanless minipc running pfsense - like this https://aliexpress.com/item/1005005515731536.html
- TP-Link eap653 access point
- mikrotik CRS310-8G+2S+IN switch
TP-Link omada line is basically a bunch of ubiquity clones at much lower price
I’d suggest looking into the Unifi product line. They have products that meet your needs and then some. I believe the company is based out of the EU so you are likely good in imports.
Very tempting, as I am accustomed to Amplifi, and I like their access points a lot. But if I am to achieve above 1 Gbps wired speeds, it appears that I have to go for the UDM Pro which I think is quite above the mark. It seems like many other options have opened up, like a retrofitted Fujitsu S920 as I commented to another.
I would definitely go Opnsense for the router, it’s much more flexible than other options. You can get various Intel mini-PCs with very low power usage that have 2.5GbE ports.
For the APs I’m pretty happy with my Unifi setup, but I’ve heard decent things about TP-Link Omada hardware too.
I thought about switching the router to a dedicated one without a wireless access point
Is there a reason for this? Unless it has specific issues you’d like to fix, I’d just keep using the current router and simply disable its WiFi.
Would be from the assumptions that typical routers that do everything, tends to be underpowered. One thing I looked at was repurposing a second hand Fujitsu S920 for the task of being a router. But again, I am just spitballing, seeking inspiration.
S920
I’m running this as my router. It handles a 500/500mbit connection over WireGuard for me without a problem. CPU usage can spike up to 80% when I push it as much as I can, so depending on how it scales I’m not 100% sure how it would handle 1gbit routing+vpn for example.
- Raspberry Pi 4 + TP-Link UE300, w/ OpenWrt
- Netgear G308 switch, any GigE switch would do
- Ubiquiti AC access point, second hand from eBay
Supports gigabit speeds with SQM (QoS) over Ethernet and up to 400Mbps over WiFi in its current form.
