Am I making the right purchase?

[Richywilson]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm about to go in on my networking purchase and I'm second guessing myself so I thought I'd just seek a second or third opinion on whether I'm making the right move. Over the past few months I've been looking into upgrading my router/network setup as my home automation appliances are just too much for my ISPs router. I have approximately 14-16 2.4ghz devices, 7 5ghz devices and 4 ethernet connected devices which has resulted in drop outs occurring throughout my house mostly on the 2.4 band which is terrible when you're relying on these devices to work. As a result I tried upgrading to the ASUS RT AC86U Gaming Router to see if it would do any better, it did not (however it has a lot of amazon reviews trashing the 2.4 band which I missed so it could be a fault) so I returned it for a store credit.

 

Since then I've been exploring other options and have been recommended a couple of options but the common theme is the Unifi set up with the Unifi security gateway router and an AP as these according to reviews and suggestions are simply better than consumer routers and thus should be able to handle everything a lot better. My house isn't big (3 rooms), this is really all about a stable solid connection with decent speeds. The reviews on this store website (where my credit is) state that these aren't as plug to play so you may need some networking experience, I have basically none outside of consumer routers which required very little setup and were basically just plug and play so I'm not sure how much knowledge is required. I tried to look up set up guides but all reference a controller which appears to be a separate device which costs quite a bit. By the looks of the ethernet ports I'll need a switch too and I've read that practically any switch will do. 

 

So onto the questions:

1. Is a controller a required purchase with the below products? 
2. With the switch, will any old switch do or should I be looking for something specific?
3. With the setup reviews mentioning some networking experience required, could your everyday joe with basic tech knowledge but little networking knowledge get it sorted? If so what am I looking at here?
4. Am I going overboard? These products have been consistently recommended but my friend said his mate in networking said it wouldn't help and to just get a normal wireless router like the TP-Link Archer C4000 or Synology Router RT2600ac perhaps I'm pushing all wireless routers aside purely due to my band experience with the 86u when that could have been an issue specific to that device? 
5. Do I need any extra hardware on top of these purchases?

These are what I was looking at

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETUBI1226/Ubiquiti-UniFi-UAP-AC-LR-Dual-band-AC1350-450867Mb

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NETUBI1156/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Security-Gateway-USG-Enterprise-Gat
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1010/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-8-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Switch

This is a lot of money for me so just trying to make sure I get it right. I'm also gonna get a 5ghz adapter for my laptop to get one of the devices off the 2.4

 

[Braxia]

Hello Richywilson, You have some nice small home office setup

Now to business and here my thoughts:

 

1. It's free download first of all. You need the software controller which can be installed on Windows and Mac in order to setup the APs. You have another option to go for the mobile app on Android or IOS. Keep in mind the controller is nice and handy. 

The price tag is for the full features for which you will need UBNT gateway and so on. If you by only the APs you don't need to buy it!

 

2. If you are looking for a switch only to expand your connectivity you will be fine with almost every Gig one.

 

3. I am working in the Telecommunication sector and to be honest the setup it's not simple as to spin up a TP-Link.

 

4. It's not an overkill. You are just moving up to higher tier devices which are enterprise grade  

 

5. The APs are coming with PoE injector so you are covered. Regarding the rest you might need a few zip ties

 

Hope this helps a little

[Richywilson]

1 hour ago, Braxia said:

Hello Richywilson, You have some nice small home office setup

Now to business and here my thoughts:

 

1. It's free download first of all. You need the software controller which can be installed on Windows and Mac in order to setup the APs. You have another option to go for the mobile app on Android or IOS. Keep in mind the controller is nice and handy. 

The price tag is for the full features for which you will need UBNT gateway and so on. If you by only the APs you don't need to buy it!

 

2. If you are looking for a switch only to expand your connectivity you will be fine with almost every Gig one.

 

3. I am working in the Telecommunication sector and to be honest the setup it's not simple as to spin up a TP-Link.

 

4. It's not an overkill. You are just moving up to higher tier devices which are enterprise grade  

 

5. The APs are coming with PoE injector so you are covered. Regarding the rest you might need a few zip ties

 

Hope this helps a little

Hey, thanks for the answers. WIth the Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway I haven't currently got this. So with your answer on 1. from my understanding you're saying even with the router, I don't need the controller unless I want every feature of the router but it will still work without it, is that correct? 

Do you think its the right call to go this route rather than a different wireless router? 

[Braxia]

I wasnt clear enough and you don't need license for the controller if you have only the Wireless AP. If you go with the UniFi SG then you will need it. To my knowledge there are different levels for licensing depending on what devices you will be using. 

 

To be honest with you I would first try with your current router and then see if you need to upgrade. Another good option for router is the Mikrotik series.

[Richywilson]

8 minutes ago, Braxia said:

I wasnt clear enough and you don't need license for the controller if you have only the Wireless AP. If you go with the UniFi SG then you will need it. To my knowledge there are different levels for licensing depending on what devices you will be using. 

 

To be honest with you I would first try with your current router and then see if you need to upgrade. Another good option for router is the Mikrotik series.

So at this stage just add the AP to a current router? The current one is an ISP supplied one so its wireless is well yeah pretty crap lol 

[Braxia]

Maybe disable the wireless from ISP router and connect the AP wired and from it then spread the wifi SSID. I would do something like that.

[Denned]

1: You can download the controller software from Ubiquitis site. It's free. You don't need to buy a Cloud Key to have a controller.

2: Any gigabit switch would do. If you have empty ports on your router, they are fine aswell.

3: Unifi APs can be setup by any one. There's tons of guides for everything, in case you run in to trouble.

4: From the other post you made, it seemed like it was just the wireless that was causing issues. So if that's the case, then yes it's a bit overkill. Also despite the name, the AC-LR isn't actually that long range. I would buy a NanoHD instead, it's similar 2,4GHz range and the 5GHz is much better. And then get the switch if you need the extra ports. No need to buy the rest, if you just after a better wireless experience.

 

With AP's like these it's important that they are mounted correctly, with the correct position and the correct orientation. It needs to be mounted in the ceiling, facing down, in the most central position possible (relative to where you want coverage.)

 

[Richywilson]

53 minutes ago, Denned said:

1: You can download the controller software from Ubiquitis site. It's free. You don't need to buy a Cloud Key to have a controller.

2: Any gigabit switch would do. If you have empty ports on your router, they are fine aswell.

3: Unifi APs can be setup by any one. There's tons of guides for everything, in case you run in to trouble.

4: From the other post you made, it seemed like it was just the wireless that was causing issues. So if that's the case, then yes it's a bit overkill. Also despite the name, the AC-LR isn't actually that long range. I would buy a NanoHD instead, it's similar 2,4GHz range and the 5GHz is much better. And then get the switch if you need the extra ports. No need to buy the rest, if you just after a better wireless experience.

 

With AP's like these it's important that they are mounted correctly, with the correct position and the correct orientation. It needs to be mounted in the ceiling, facing down, in the most central position possible (relative to where you want coverage.)

 

With the access point, I'm currently renting so I can't really do that. If that's a no go, not sure what the best alternative is.

[mtz_federico]

5 hours ago, Richywilson said:

With the access point, I'm currently renting so I can't really do that. If that's a no go, not sure what the best alternative is.

You can tape it to the ceiling or use some type of sticky stuff like strong double sided tape or strong Velcro

[Richywilson]

1 hour ago, mtz_federico said:

You can tape it to the ceiling or use some type of sticky stuff like strong double sided tape or strong Velcro

would still require getting an ethernet cable into the ceiling though, there's really no access to it

[Selle]

My NanoHD is is mounted completely wrong, I still have good reception everywhere. I have tested 3 different ISP routers before, non of them was able to cover every room

[mtz_federico]

You don't need to put it in the ceiling but that would be the best thing.

[Richywilson]

20 minutes ago, mtz_federico said:

You don't need to put it in the ceiling but that would be the best thing.

Given my place is only 3 rooms long, would it be fine to have it behind a computer monitor?

[mtz_federico]

22 minutes ago, Richywilson said:

Given my place is only 3 rooms long, would it be fine to have it behind a computer monitor?

depends where the monitor is. if it is in the center (or at least close to the center) then it shouldn't be a problem. if it's not near the center as long as there isn't a lot of interference I don't see why not.

I would just recommend putting it higher than the monitor so that it doesn't block the signal.

[Donut417]

21 hours ago, Richywilson said:

Synology Router RT2600ac

I have this router. It works well. My house is 1300 Sq Feet (Freedom Units) or 120 Sq meters (Rest of the world). I get good coverage thru the whole thing with 2.4 and 5Ghz. Plus its a two story house, so..... The router is on the second floor. 

 

 

[Richywilson]

23 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

I have this router. It works well. My house is 1300 Sq Feet (Freedom Units) or 120 Sq meters (Rest of the world). I get good coverage thru the whole thing with 2.4 and 5Ghz. Plus its a two story house, so..... The router is on the second floor. 

 

 

How many devices do you have connected at any one time?

[Donut417]

1 minute ago, Richywilson said:

How many devices do you have connected at any one time?

Ethernet: 4

WiFi: 11

 

We dont have cable so we rely on streaming. I have a Plex server for OTA TV DVR and we have several streaming services. 2 to 3 streams at a time generally, Via Firesticks and Rokus. 

[Richywilson]

2 hours ago, Donut417 said:

Ethernet: 4

WiFi: 11

 

We dont have cable so we rely on streaming. I have a Plex server for OTA TV DVR and we have several streaming services. 2 to 3 streams at a time generally, Via Firesticks and Rokus. 

I take it most aren't trying to talk to each other all the time like home automation devices?

[Donut417]

7 minutes ago, Richywilson said:

I take it most aren't trying to talk to each other all the time like home automation devices?

No NSA listening devices in my home. The streaming sticks do communicate with my Plex server as it handles live TV and DVR playback.