Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Home networking future proofing 50Jun 21, 2023 4:41 pm ![]() ![]() Just jumping on to this thread as I'm also at a similar point in trying to understand and decide what's the best way to configure my home network. Building a 2 story home, and currently planning on installing the NBN box, modem/router and 8 port network switch under the stairs which is pretty central, with data ports to Living, home office, media room and a study nook. My electrician had asked me about wireless access point in the ceiling as well. I'm not sure whether to go with a mesh network (eero or Google Nest). can someone advise if I should go with installing WAPs or mesh? If it was me, I'd be going all WAP's wired back to the switch using PoE. Mesh makes no sense to me unless you fit a very small use case of not being able to run new cables or not owning the house, if at building stage I have no idea why you would want to go a mesh setup when you could just run a cable. Mesh is a bandaid fix to an issue like a WiFi extender. Now picking a good location for a WAP can be a bit harder. Thanks MrSober - can you recommend a ceiling mounted WAP? basic Google search has led me to TP-Link EAP620 HD AX1800 Wireless Dual Band Ceiling Mount Access Point (EAP620 HD (EU)) V3 or U6-LITE | Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 6. do you have any feedback on these? Re: Home networking future proofing 51Jun 21, 2023 8:37 pm ![]() ![]() ![]() Just jumping on to this thread as I'm also at a similar point in trying to understand and decide what's the best way to configure my home network. Building a 2 story home, and currently planning on installing the NBN box, modem/router and 8 port network switch under the stairs which is pretty central, with data ports to Living, home office, media room and a study nook. My electrician had asked me about wireless access point in the ceiling as well. I'm not sure whether to go with a mesh network (eero or Google Nest). can someone advise if I should go with installing WAPs or mesh? If it was me, I'd be going all WAP's wired back to the switch using PoE. Mesh makes no sense to me unless you fit a very small use case of not being able to run new cables or not owning the house, if at building stage I have no idea why you would want to go a mesh setup when you could just run a cable. Mesh is a bandaid fix to an issue like a WiFi extender. Now picking a good location for a WAP can be a bit harder. Thanks MrSober - can you recommend a ceiling mounted WAP? basic Google search has led me to TP-Link EAP620 HD AX1800 Wireless Dual Band Ceiling Mount Access Point (EAP620 HD (EU)) V3 or U6-LITE | Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 6. do you have any feedback on these? Currently use the Unifi ecosystem, so I have the UDMP, 48 Port PoE switch, 10GbE Aggregation switch, and their WAP's. I like it for the extra features i.e Vlans. without having to go too crazy. TP Link is similar I know you can run the unifi WAP's with just the mobile app but miss out on a few features so the next step up from that is running the Unifi OS on a VM or the like to gain the other features without having to buy all their other devices. TP-Link I don't know for sure if you can do the same. Re: Home networking future proofing 52Jun 22, 2023 8:38 pm ![]() If setup in WiFi Router mode they can't all be connected on the other side of a switch as mentioned, they would need to be setup in WAP mode (Wireless Access Point) then they should work just like any other WAP. I would be running a dedicated cable to each one rather than running each one off a separate switch, it may not be too big a problem for most people but a WAP is something I would prefer to have its own 1GbE link rather than share with other wired devices. Looks like you can also use ports on the back of the Deco to wire up other devices? so may mean you don't need as many switches. If you are only going a consumer switch and router etc usually heat won't be to big of a problem, most little un managed switches even with PoE don't generate alot of heat. You can always add a vent or extraction fan to the cupboard if you do find heat to be an issue to get some air moving. I've got a 37RU rack off my garage that has everything in it but is running much more than most, I have a bunch of NAS' and enterprise servers and UPS' running and a door vent and extraction fan is mostly enough to keep it cool enough. So I think "most" will be find with a little storage cupboard etc. You either get the builders that put it in a bit of a central area which is a bit better or they put it on a wall in the garage as its the shortest conduit run. Could be like my first builder that put a small 8 port patch panel in the linen cupboard but not put any GPO's to plug my router in........ Could always put the NVR somewhere else more hidden if worried, cameras are more of a deterrent than a way to fully stop people. Just like a lock on a door, can always just break a window and get in etc. Average BnE isn't going to be caring too much about camera's if they have seen them on the outside and still decided to break in. I know the Decos can be configured to be WAP, but I must confess I don't know what the difference is between setting them up as WAPs vs as a mesh? I would have thought the mesh allowed for smooth coverage as I move from room to room? Re: Home networking future proofing 53Jun 23, 2023 7:36 am ![]() I know the Decos can be configured to be WAP, but I must confess I don't know what the difference is between setting them up as WAPs vs as a mesh? I would have thought the mesh allowed for smooth coverage as I move from room to room? That was something I found weird in the marketing page of these, they made out like only mesh setup allowed this. If you have 3 AP's you should be able to have all three broadcast the same SSID and you don't have the issues it shows. I can walk from one end of the house to the other and never loose connection as it moves from AP to AP. You should be able to set it up like that through the app, but I don't have hands on experience with TP-Link so I can't say.for sure Re: Home networking future proofing 54Aug 09, 2023 11:39 am My current deco has died on me, and my new house is not ready yet, so I find myself in this weird place where I don't yet have a network built, and I'm not sure exactly what to get for the new house. Are there 'network design' places that can look at my house, my needs, and help me decide what to buy? Re: Home networking future proofing 55Aug 09, 2023 11:47 am ![]() My current deco has died on me, and my new house is not ready yet, so I find myself in this weird place where I don't yet have a network built, and I'm not sure exactly what to get for the new house. Are there 'network design' places that can look at my house, my needs, and help me decide what to buy? its not really rocket science. just buy something that isn't inherantly $hit and it will almost guaranteed (99.9999%) cover your needs in a residential scenario. Re: Home networking future proofing 56Aug 09, 2023 12:10 pm It may not be rocket science, but it's also not easy to figure out. You may know you want decent speed and coverage, but not know how to get there or what to think about along the way. We'll wait for others to chip in, but thanks for your comment. Re: Home networking future proofing 57Aug 09, 2023 12:22 pm It may not be rocket science, but it's also not easy to figure out. You may know you want decent speed and coverage, but not know how to get there or what to think about along the way. We'll wait for others to chip in, but thanks for your comment. Re: Home networking future proofing 58Aug 09, 2023 1:42 pm ![]() It may not be rocket science, but it's also not easy to figure out. You may know you want decent speed and coverage, but not know how to get there or what to think about along the way. We'll wait for others to chip in, but thanks for your comment. I dont think you understand the point Im making. If you dont know about networkign enough, then your needs arent going to be as custom as you think. Most people who have very specific niche use cases know enough about the network aspect of their needs to not need to ask the question, or ask one or two very specific questions. If you dont fall into that boat (which by the looks of it you dont) you could litterally buy a google mesh network for the recommended size for your house and be done with it. You will never likely feel a limitation unless your usecase suddenly becomes niche. They litterally build products to make this as easy as plug and play for 99.9999% of people. on a budget, buy nighthawk stuff. like google/android? but the google mesh, have money to burn and want performance youll never scrape the tip of the iceberg of? get netgear orbi. ask yourself what you want to spend and go from there. You don't need a network designed, just buy the product. Thats why its not rocket science. Re: Home networking future proofing 59Aug 10, 2023 1:07 am ![]() ![]() Most people who have very specific niche use cases know enough about the network aspect of their needs to not need to ask the question, I don’t think it’s a full gatekeeping situation where like “if you need it you don’t need to ask” kind of situation, I would generally agree it’s nothing too custom that they’re after. My build for example has 30 or so ports, but I have multiple roof ports for my Aruba access points and run everything back to a central location for my rack full of gear. Re: Home networking future proofing 60Aug 10, 2023 9:30 am ![]() ![]() ![]() Most people who have very specific niche use cases know enough about the network aspect of their needs to not need to ask the question, I don’t think it’s a full gatekeeping situation where like “if you need it you don’t need to ask” kind of situation, I would generally agree it’s nothing too custom that they’re after. My build for example has 30 or so ports, but I have multiple roof ports for my Aruba access points and run everything back to a central location for my rack full of gear. "rack full of gear" ,"30 ports" " plus multiple roof ports", this is not a standard set up already and you show to have a working knowledge of the network fundamentals, kind of supporting the point I'm making. Brass fly wire, you will need to cut it, shape it and jam it into brick slots 1 8535 ![]() It worked for me in getting all non notified rain days removed from the builders claim, although the LDs was only $50/day 7 6900 Thanks all for your help I had an inspector who looked at over wall fall and full bathroom waterproofing, he said this will not be an issue as there is drain outside of… 4 2087 |