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Message
Rebuilding my home network from "the bottom up"
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:51 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:51 pm
Well, long story short. For whatever reason my home network has decided to give me fits all week. "Slow" internet speeds (when I run speed test(s) it test fine, but real world performance says otherwise) and dropouts, 1/2 my 2.4 ghz smart devices going on and off line, and any and all sorts of other network issues you can think of. My best guess is I have a piece of equipment (router or modem) going bad somewhere in the system.
So, hypothetically, if you were designing a network for a smart home with a good number of 2.4 ghz smart devices (every room has some combination of smart light switches/bulbs, a few smart appliances and alexa devices), how would you do it. My thought right now is to have two separate networks, one for computers, phones and streaming that works on 2.4ghz and 5ghz wifi and another 2.4 ghz only network for my smart home devices.
I have attached a very basic schematic of my current network layout.
One of my concerns with setting up two networks is having fireTV devices on one network and my other alexa devices (echo dots) on another. I'm not sure how that will work.
So if you were doing it, how would you proceed?
Edited to add: I'm starting with a new cable modem. We're only on a 100 mpbs plan (good enough for us), but our modem is several years old and currently not supported by our ISP (Comcast/xfinity)
Thanks in Advance.
So, hypothetically, if you were designing a network for a smart home with a good number of 2.4 ghz smart devices (every room has some combination of smart light switches/bulbs, a few smart appliances and alexa devices), how would you do it. My thought right now is to have two separate networks, one for computers, phones and streaming that works on 2.4ghz and 5ghz wifi and another 2.4 ghz only network for my smart home devices.
I have attached a very basic schematic of my current network layout.
One of my concerns with setting up two networks is having fireTV devices on one network and my other alexa devices (echo dots) on another. I'm not sure how that will work.
So if you were doing it, how would you proceed?
Edited to add: I'm starting with a new cable modem. We're only on a 100 mpbs plan (good enough for us), but our modem is several years old and currently not supported by our ISP (Comcast/xfinity)
Thanks in Advance.
This post was edited on 8/5/22 at 5:56 pm
4
Posted on 8/5/22 at 6:22 pm to Lonnie Utah
Ezpz.
Cable modem>opnsense router>brocade icx 6610 switch (I like these bc they come with 1gb and 10gb ports with POE)> ubiquiti AP (I prefer rukus, but ubiquiti is easier)
Create separate VLANs for all the different networks you want (and I think ubiquiti APs will map separate VLANs too) and you're good to go. From there, you can create QoS to each VLAN to your pleasing
Cable modem>opnsense router>brocade icx 6610 switch (I like these bc they come with 1gb and 10gb ports with POE)> ubiquiti AP (I prefer rukus, but ubiquiti is easier)
Create separate VLANs for all the different networks you want (and I think ubiquiti APs will map separate VLANs too) and you're good to go. From there, you can create QoS to each VLAN to your pleasing
This post was edited on 8/5/22 at 6:24 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 7:17 pm to Lonnie Utah
Like barracuda said VLANs are your friend.
In my home network I have 4 VLANs: main, kids, IOT, and cameras. Main has full access to all networks. Kids only have access to theirs plus they are routed through cloudflares kid safe dns. IOT and cameras have no access to internet or other networks unless I specifically allow that device to the internet, like our Alexa or doorbell camera.
Look online for tutorials on how to allow firetvs and such to be usable by devices across VLANs.
I would ditch the wifi router and get a dedicated router like an edge router or TP-Link router. Use nothing but wifi aps. I prefer TP-Link over ubiquiti as they are same price and the TP-Link can be configured via webpage or central host.
I would also suggest TP-Link network switches. For $30 you can get an 8 port gig vlan capable switch.
My network:
Cable modem -> edge router -> TP-Link switch -> TP-Link ap
I have my NVR, tv DVR, and HA vm run off a computer attached to the TP-Link.
In my home network I have 4 VLANs: main, kids, IOT, and cameras. Main has full access to all networks. Kids only have access to theirs plus they are routed through cloudflares kid safe dns. IOT and cameras have no access to internet or other networks unless I specifically allow that device to the internet, like our Alexa or doorbell camera.
Look online for tutorials on how to allow firetvs and such to be usable by devices across VLANs.
I would ditch the wifi router and get a dedicated router like an edge router or TP-Link router. Use nothing but wifi aps. I prefer TP-Link over ubiquiti as they are same price and the TP-Link can be configured via webpage or central host.
I would also suggest TP-Link network switches. For $30 you can get an 8 port gig vlan capable switch.
My network:
Cable modem -> edge router -> TP-Link switch -> TP-Link ap
I have my NVR, tv DVR, and HA vm run off a computer attached to the TP-Link.
This post was edited on 8/5/22 at 7:28 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 9:55 pm to mchias1
quote:
I would ditch the wifi router and get a dedicated router like an edge router or TP-Link router.
That's the way I have it set up. I have a dedicated modem and my main router (well starting tomorrow) will be a TP link Ax3000. I'll move the "old" AC1750 up to the office to replace the wireless router I had as my main router. It will be configured as an access point.
I just need to research the VLAN's now...
Posted on 8/5/22 at 11:19 pm to Lonnie Utah
Replaced my modem tonight and got all of my smart home devices back.
Posted on 8/6/22 at 6:23 am to Lonnie Utah
TP-Link router
When I said ditch the ap/router I meant get something like this or the edgerouter. The ubiquiti USG is another router about the same price, but it's not as good as either of the other 2.
I looked up the ax300. Can't find if it fully supporta VLANs like the routers above can. You need a device that allows you to configure the firewall per vlan.
When I said ditch the ap/router I meant get something like this or the edgerouter. The ubiquiti USG is another router about the same price, but it's not as good as either of the other 2.
I looked up the ax300. Can't find if it fully supporta VLANs like the routers above can. You need a device that allows you to configure the firewall per vlan.
Posted on 8/6/22 at 12:39 pm to mchias1
quote:
ubiquiti USG
I would not buy the USG. It may not explicitly be EOL, but I think it’s headed there awfully soon. Teleport hasn’t made its way to it yet. They have released
1) UDM
2) UDMP
3) Dream router
4) next Gen usg for the pro side
I think they consider 1-3 a replacement, and they are moving away from software controllers for anything other than network applications. You can definitely get a lot of life out of it, and I have three in service (my 20ish user office with WAN failover is one of them that I have no intention of replacing), but if I’m ground-upping a network, I think it’s a fairly poor choice.
Posted on 8/8/22 at 7:56 am to Hopeful Doc
I would never use three random routers/aps. They do not talk to each other and will not roam your devices if you are using the same SSID. Now if you are using three separate SSIDs then that is fine, but you will have to manually change networks as you roam. If you want something more seamless, using Unifi, Orbi or any other mesh network.
Posted on 8/8/22 at 8:31 am to Lonnie Utah
Get a unifi dream station se and a couple of wired access points. You can put whatever size hard drivein it that you want for your cameras with unifi protect and virtually program networks however you want with ease.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 8:04 pm to PHNBK
I don't know how far apart your APs are, but there are only so many channels on 802.11 a/b/g/n. When your APs power up, they're looking for things that are already using channels, and pick the "clear" channel. The problem is, if you're in a general single family home, they're seeing routers broadcasting from at least two locations, and possibly five. In North America, there are only 11 channels, and the router will always try to put at least one channel of separation between it's selected channel and any conflict. If your neighbors are on 1, 5, and 11, that leaves you with 3, 7,8,9. However, your two networks are also competing with each other, which leaves you with one/one and a half.
Get two mesh routers and divide into VLANs. I'm not really sure VLANs are adding anything given that the amount of data used on everything but the 4k TV is relatively minimal, but if you want it for extra security (are you really doing default deny on all traffic from the IP Camera VLAN to all other VLANS except the video recorder? Really?) I've got seven 4k TVs in my house, multiple Xboxes, Roku devices, etc. No issues on one SSID (5 & 2.4 Ghz).
Get two mesh routers and divide into VLANs. I'm not really sure VLANs are adding anything given that the amount of data used on everything but the 4k TV is relatively minimal, but if you want it for extra security (are you really doing default deny on all traffic from the IP Camera VLAN to all other VLANS except the video recorder? Really?) I've got seven 4k TVs in my house, multiple Xboxes, Roku devices, etc. No issues on one SSID (5 & 2.4 Ghz).
Posted on 8/15/22 at 11:37 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
I don't know how far apart your APs are, but there are only so many channels on 802.11 a/b/g/n. When your APs power up, they're looking for things that are already using channels, and pick the "clear" channel. The problem is, if you're in a general single family home, they're seeing routers broadcasting from at least two locations, and possibly five. In North America, there are only 11 channels, and the router will always try to put at least one channel of separation between it's selected channel and any conflict. If your neighbors are on 1, 5, and 11, that leaves you with 3, 7,8,9. However, your two networks are also competing with each other, which leaves you with one/one and a half. Get two mesh routers and divide into VLANs. I'm not really sure VLANs are adding anything given that the amount of data used on everything but the 4k TV is relatively minimal, but if you want it for extra security (are you really doing default deny on all traffic from the IP Camera VLAN to all other VLANS except the video recorder? Really?) I've got seven 4k TVs in my house, multiple Xboxes, Roku devices, etc. No issues on one SSID (5 & 2.4 Ghz).
That doesn't apply to the new 802.11 standards. I highly doubt he's running 802.11b and has to worry about overlapping channels.
Posted on 8/16/22 at 6:45 am to LemmyLives
quote:
are you really doing default deny on all traffic from the IP Camera VLAN to all other VLANS except the video recorder? Really?
I am. Why are you surprised this is done on a home network? It's pretty simple to set up firewall rules to handle this.
Posted on 8/17/22 at 2:09 pm to Lonnie Utah
Why two switches to get from your router to the TV?
Posted on 8/17/22 at 2:37 pm to Bard
Maybe multiple connections at tv location and running minimal homeruns?
Posted on 8/17/22 at 3:16 pm to Hopeful Doc
just get a unifi dream machine, a switch lite poe and 2 unifi 6pro lite.
should be able to wire pretty much everything back to switch and that would give you 3 wifi6 APs
should be able to wire pretty much everything back to switch and that would give you 3 wifi6 APs
Posted on 8/17/22 at 3:55 pm to LemmyLives
quote:That is pretty much SOP these days for folks who have cameras and who know about VLANs.
are you really doing default deny on all traffic from the IP Camera VLAN to all other VLANS except the video recorder? Really?
Posted on 8/23/22 at 4:46 pm to Korkstand
No vlans yet. But did get the new router installed today. Took the old one, gave it a static IP address and put it in the master bedroom as a wired access point. Took a little while to get the smart home 100% back online but it was more time consuming than hard. I had to punch down the Rj45 jack as it had never been wired since the house was built in 1999.
This post was edited on 8/23/22 at 4:47 pm
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