Network devices advice

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Discussion

LeeThr

Original Poster:

3,122 posts

170 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
I'm in the middle of designing a network for a building, and need some advice on what devices are worth buying.

Firstly the broadband connection will be BT Infinity, the homehub I do not even wish to unpack out the box let alone plug in. So any recommendations on a router that can replace this. Wi-fi functionality and huge number of Ethernet ports not essential, it will be locked away in a cabinet connected to a 24 port switch.

Secondly after doing a site survey last week with a spare wifi router I've found that because of the layout of the building and just how thick some of the walls are I will need two wi-fi access points to get complete coverage, possibly three. So what recommendations are there for these, and how's best to set them up? Ideally i'd like a system that mimics each other (same SSID/password) so that devices just transition between the two networks seamlessly.

Budget will probably be around £150 for all 3 devices. However if something can be justified for a tiny bit more it's not a completely fixed budget but the closer or under that figure the better.

malman

2,258 posts

258 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
Stable, good range and don't stick out like a sore thumb from an interior decor point of view.

Should be within budget. Free monitoring software should you want to do that.

http://www.wifi-stock.co.uk/details/deliberant-wif...

Get the AF version if the switch has POE built in otherwise the one above comes with an injector for power so both only require a lan cable to the install point.

There is also a ubiquiti equivalent which I'm sure someone will pop up and recommend.

Router - something like a draytek 2860 will do VDSL - firewall/various VPN features for reasonable money and generally very solid perfomrance.

LeeThr

Original Poster:

3,122 posts

170 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
Just had a look at the router you suggested and it does look a good piece of kit, but a slight bit on the overkill side for the installation im doing. Also when I said around the £150 mark for the budget I meant that as all 3 devices, not £150 per device.

malman

2,258 posts

258 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
£84 for 2 access points leaves £66 for vdsl router so a Billion 8800NL should be about £60 - tadaa!

I'd missed the 150 for 3 devices bit BTW

TheExcession

11,669 posts

249 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
quotequote all
LeeThr said:
Just had a look at the router you suggested and it does look a good piece of kit, but a slight bit on the overkill side for the installation im doing. Also when I said around the £150 mark for the budget I meant that as all 3 devices, not £150 per device.
Perhaps have a look at some of the TP-Link offerings. Their Access Points seem to come in on budget for you. I've installed quite a few of their devices out and about and never had a problem with any of them.

They seem to get good reviews from other PHers here too.


megaphone

10,694 posts

250 months

Wednesday 1st April 2015
quotequote all
Yes, I will pop up and recommend Unifi access points, you can get a 3 pack for under £150. Designed for the job, the control software is really good, you can set up a guest network along side 3 others. I've installed a few systems and never had any issues.

As for routers, I've used Billion and Draytek, both are good.

http://www.wifi-stock.co.uk/details/unifi3.html

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 1st April 08:15