So I currently have T-Mobile 5G cellular for an ISP.
Existing hardware:
Netgear GS108
D-Link AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit
D-Link AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender
I ordered some new cables to future proof from monoprice, Cat6A for long runs, Cat8 for short runs on office desk between devices
(Synology 918+, i75820K PC, 2011 Macmini and network hardware above)
Cat8 for small runs (not that much more than Cat6A) 2ft/3ft/10ft.
Cat6A for long runs (mesh router/TV), wife PC, wife TV)
I have ordered 2 TP-Link Deco systems, when the second arrives, I'll return that.
I was thinking of getting a Asus Zen. But now I am thinking lets go all Mikrotik.
I would like to put a pihole in a Docker container.
What I want to do, is make sure I don't have to buy/replace too much if I get fiber in the future.
I live in Houston, so it is a possibility.
I am assuming a budget ~$500.
Domicile is late 60's 2 story house about 2300 sf.
So for the mesh I would get 1 Audience and see if that works. I can in theory backhaul it with wire to the second floor.
I don't know, or maybe it won't need the wire. I have seen a few people complaining about getting an Audience to work, but I don't know if that is skill level related or not. (I am a Programmer Analyst now mostly DBA and shell script programming)
OK, but the real question is the router.
I was looking around and saw plenty of HAP ax3 recommendations.
But that would leave me buying something else if I get fiber.
Even without fiber it would be nice if my PC and NAS could transfer files quicker when upgraded or replaced.
So I think that leaves me looking at the RB5009UG+S+IN or if I want PoE, the RB5009UPr+S+IN
PoE isn't really something I see a need for now.
The 2.5G port could connect to a faster switch in the future.
But that leaves me needing the wireless component, since they don't seem to offer it on a router with the faster ports I want.
So with one of the RB5009s, I would probably get a hAP ax3 for $30 more than a HaP ac2 for the WiFi.
Thoughts?
Edit: Going through the entire Hacker Free For All comments for research.
I think for a bunch of reasons it needs to be 3 piece: router, AP, mesh units.
Edit2: More research, with lots of 1 year opinions is Mikrotik is great for routers and switches, but look elsewhere for seamless AP and mesh.
oops, Audience is WiFi 4/5. Nevermind that.
Like Eero/TP/Asus/Ruckus/Ubiquity, etc.
Existing hardware:
Netgear GS108
D-Link AC1900 Dual Band Gigabit
D-Link AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Range Extender
I ordered some new cables to future proof from monoprice, Cat6A for long runs, Cat8 for short runs on office desk between devices
(Synology 918+, i75820K PC, 2011 Macmini and network hardware above)
Cat8 for small runs (not that much more than Cat6A) 2ft/3ft/10ft.
Cat6A for long runs (mesh router/TV), wife PC, wife TV)
I have ordered 2 TP-Link Deco systems, when the second arrives, I'll return that.
I was thinking of getting a Asus Zen. But now I am thinking lets go all Mikrotik.
I would like to put a pihole in a Docker container.
What I want to do, is make sure I don't have to buy/replace too much if I get fiber in the future.
I live in Houston, so it is a possibility.
I am assuming a budget ~$500.
Domicile is late 60's 2 story house about 2300 sf.
So for the mesh I would get 1 Audience and see if that works. I can in theory backhaul it with wire to the second floor.
I don't know, or maybe it won't need the wire. I have seen a few people complaining about getting an Audience to work, but I don't know if that is skill level related or not. (I am a Programmer Analyst now mostly DBA and shell script programming)
OK, but the real question is the router.
I was looking around and saw plenty of HAP ax3 recommendations.
But that would leave me buying something else if I get fiber.
Even without fiber it would be nice if my PC and NAS could transfer files quicker when upgraded or replaced.
So I think that leaves me looking at the RB5009UG+S+IN or if I want PoE, the RB5009UPr+S+IN
PoE isn't really something I see a need for now.
The 2.5G port could connect to a faster switch in the future.
But that leaves me needing the wireless component, since they don't seem to offer it on a router with the faster ports I want.
So with one of the RB5009s, I would probably get a hAP ax3 for $30 more than a HaP ac2 for the WiFi.
Thoughts?
Edit: Going through the entire Hacker Free For All comments for research.
I think for a bunch of reasons it needs to be 3 piece: router, AP, mesh units.
Edit2: More research, with lots of 1 year opinions is Mikrotik is great for routers and switches, but look elsewhere for seamless AP and mesh.
oops, Audience is WiFi 4/5. Nevermind that.
Like Eero/TP/Asus/Ruckus/Ubiquity, etc.
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