Advice on router/wifi/network setup

[derp90]

Please help me figure out a good option for devices to get with a budget of around +-R6000

My fibre terminates upstairs, and I want 1 network cable from that area to a PC and also WiFi.

Then, I have an ethernet plug downstairs that connects to the area that the fibre is upstairs.

I want a cable connected from there to a NUC/TV for Steam Link, and I also want WiFi downstairs.

I'm getting confused over what options to go for:

- Some sort of all-in-one mesh system (I was looking at Asus ZenWifi BD4)
- Ubiquiti setup because I've heard it's really good

If I go with Ubiquiti, I want to minimize power plugs, extra devices, etc. so what would I go for? 2x Unifi Express? A Dream Router 7 and access point? Some sort of smart PoE setup to send power downstairs? Something else?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[lkswan747]

A diagram of what you want to achieve may be more beneficial.

 

[yogidabear]

Please help me figure out a good option for devices to get with a budget of around +-R6000

Ubiquiti is good but you wont get what you need for 6k. The UCG-Ultra upstairs can take the fibre, cable to PC, cable to downstairs and cable to upstairs AP https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-multi-wan-unifi-cloud-gateway-ultra-ucg-ultra.html

Then you still need a switch downstairs, plus the cables. This is the cheapest AP and you have already blown the whole budget https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-7-lite-dual-band-ap-u7-lite.html

 

[derp90]

Ubiquiti is good but you wont get what you need for 6k. The UCG-Ultra upstairs can take the fibre, cable to PC, cable to downstairs and cable to upstairs AP https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-multi-wan-unifi-cloud-gateway-ultra-ucg-ultra.html

Then you still need a switch downstairs, plus the cables. This is the cheapest AP and you have already blown the whole budget https://scoop.co.za/ubiquiti-unifi-7-lite-dual-band-ap-u7-lite.html

Yeah, it gets expensive and has more moving parts than a simple mesh system.

I was also looking at 2x Unifi express 6, but they don’t seem that well received.

Alternatively, the Asus BD4 mesh system looks good for wired backhaul and will give me an extra Ethernet point per mesh unit.

 

[Foxhound5366]

I have this MERCUSYS Halo 3-pack mesh system:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

One is plugged into the fibre upstairs, one is in my office upstairs, and one at the TV downstairs.

Works like an absolute dream and it was cheap enough that it didn’t feel too scary to invest in. I’m getting a seamless 100Mbps download throughout my house, and running all the house devices with no issues (PC, security hub, Xbox and PS5 all plug directly into the Halos via LAN).

You can also get the more expensive H80X Halos for R2400 if WiFi 6 is a must for you.

 

[r00igev@@r]

Use a x86 mini PC as your router running openwrt.
For wifi access points use any ones that you can flash to openwrt such as the Cudy.
Don't turn a access point into a router.

 

[Segg]

Look at the Cudy selection on scoop.

 

[yogidabear]

Yeah, it gets expensive and has more moving parts than a simple mesh system.

I was also looking at 2x Unifi express 6, but they don’t seem that well received.

Alternatively, the Asus BD4 mesh system looks good for wired backhaul and will give me an extra Ethernet point per mesh unit.

Cudy allows you to mesh routers so you could use this upstairs https://scoop.co.za/cudy-dual-band-wifi-7-3600mbps-5dbi-gigabit-mesh-router-wr3600.html

This would take the ethernet in and have 2 outputs downstairs https://scoop.co.za/cudy-dual-band-wifi-7-3600mbps-gigabit-mesh-router-m3600-1-pack.html

The value for money is a win

 

[Anthro]

Use a x86 mini PC as your router running openwrt.
For wifi access points use any ones that you can flash to openwrt such as the Cudy.
Don't turn a access point into a router.

Do you know if those Cudy can be forced to a specific channel when using OpenWRT ?
I have some TP-Link Deco X50 Outdoor which needs persuasion to stick to a channel, but its not happy (they have saida they will never include fixed channel options)

 

[r00igev@@r]

Do you know if those Cudy can be forced to a specific channel when using OpenWRT ?
I have some TP-Link Deco X50 Outdoor which needs persuasion to stick to a channel, but its not happy (they have saida they will never include fixed channel options)

I don't know if you can flash a Deco to openwrt but yes you can force a specific channel.