Building first home network

[Lord Mirdalan]

Hello all,

 

I'm approaching building my first home network. I'm hoping to confirm that this hardware will do what I need.

 

I'm considering the following hardware:

Switch:

https://store.ui.com/collections/routing-switching/products/unifi-switch-8-60w

Access point:

https://www.ui.com/unifi/unifi-ap-ac-lite/

 

I have the ISP-provided modem/router, and I believe I can plug that into the switch, then connect the AP to the switch, then hey presto, internet! Am I right, or do I need more hardware?

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

[Electronics Wizardy]

you will need something to managae the ap aswell with their controller setup. Its normally only needed for first time setup, but some features need it all the times. 

 

Also if your just useing one or two aps, id just use the included poe injector.

 

DO you need l3 switching or doing anything fancy on the switch?

[Lord Mirdalan]

3 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

you will need something to manage the ap as well with their controller setup. Its normally only needed for first time setup, but some features need it all the times. 

 

Also if your just using one or two aps, id just use the included poe injector.

 

DO you need l3 switching or doing anything fancy on the switch?

I don't strictly need a switch, but I'd like to connect several machines via wired connections.

 

What do you mean by "something to manage the AP"?  I was under the impression that I could "log on" to the AP with a computer over WiFi to access the control panel.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, Lord Mirdalan said:

I don't strictly need a switch, but I'd like to connect several machines via wired connections.

 

What do you mean by "something to manage the AP"?  I was under the impression that I could "log on" to the AP with a computer over WiFi to access the control panel.

You can't control the AP without their controller software. There is no interface built into the AP. Its a little java app that runs on osx, windows and linux and also runs only they litte cloud key thats made to control it.

 

If your just getting one ap, why not just use the included wifi on your router? Its probably fine here.

 

You can get any basic switch, id just get some generic 8 port unmanaged gigabit switch.

[Lord Mirdalan]

2 hours ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

You can't control the AP without their controller software. There is no interface built into the AP. Its a little java app that runs on osx, windows and linux and also runs only they litte cloud key thats made to control it.

 

I have a computer... that's not an issue. If I understand correctly, I would only need to have the computer running to configure the AP, and after that, just go on with life?

[Electronics Wizardy]

19 hours ago, Lord Mirdalan said:

I have a computer... that's not an issue. If I understand correctly, I would only need to have the computer running to configure the AP, and after that, just go on with life?

yep, unless you want some of the more advanced features that need a aways on controller.

 

But from what im hearing here, id just use the ap thats built into your router and get a generic switch.

[Lord Mirdalan]

45 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

yep, unless you want some of the more advanced features that need a aways on controller.

 

But from what im hearing here, id just use the ap thats built into your router and get a generic switch.

Well, thanks for the input. I'll have to give it some thought...