Creating Multiple Networks

[ohdatpro]

So I have been talking with my landlord about establishing a network for my apartment building and in turn, he lowering/paying for my internet bill. I am familiar with networking, however, I have never done it on a large scale. I pay for Xfinity/Comcast gigabit/enterprise package which has no bandwidth limit. I proposed him having using this network for his building of 5 units which houses less than 20 tenants, so this would be perfect. Assuming that comcast will permit me to have multiple static IP addresses, what is the best way to allocate those IP addresses to each unit? I assume the best way is via a network switch with multiple routers, but I am not too familiar with that hardware.

 

Thanks for the help in advanced!

[Donut417]

14 minutes ago, ohdatpro said:

So I have been talking with my landlord about establishing a network for my apartment building and in turn, he lowering/paying for my internet bill. I am familiar with networking, however, I have never done it on a large scale. I pay for Xfinity/Comcast gigabit/enterprise package which has no bandwidth limit. I proposed him having using this network for his building of 5 units which houses less than 20 tenants, so this would be perfect. Assuming that comcast will permit me to have multiple static IP addresses, what is the best way to allocate those IP addresses to each unit? I assume the best way is via a network switch with multiple routers, but I am not too familiar with that hardware.

 

Thanks for the help in advanced!

You will most likely have to pay for extra IPs. Nothing is free with Comcast. That plan must cost a lot, because metro Ethernet is expensive. Gigabit pro which is a consumer metro Ethernet package they offer is $299 a month, that’s not counting the up to $1000 for install. 

[AbsoluteFool]

11 hours ago, ohdatpro said:

So I have been talking with my landlord about establishing a network for my apartment building and in turn, he lowering/paying for my internet bill. I am familiar with networking, however, I have never done it on a large scale. I pay for Xfinity/Comcast gigabit/enterprise package which has no bandwidth limit. I proposed him having using this network for his building of 5 units which houses less than 20 tenants, so this would be perfect. Assuming that comcast will permit me to have multiple static IP addresses, what is the best way to allocate those IP addresses to each unit? I assume the best way is via a network switch with multiple routers, but I am not too familiar with that hardware.

 

Thanks for the help in advanced!

I don't really understand how this would be an advantage over having everyone get this own connection or share one into VLANs and limit the link speed.

 

But you can accomplish this with switches or routers. I'm not quite sure if switches are prefered over routers or the other way around. But i guess the easiest way is to use a managed switch, configure it for the IP adresses, you can then place end router in each apartment. 

 

However, this could make complications other places over each making their own seperate agreement.

[beersykins]

I'd probably abort mission since you now inherit everyone's internet connectivity issues, and anything small/trivial will become your fault.

 

You could do this pretty easy with a layer 3 switch at the edge and just offer everyone access to your routed VLAN that they can put their routers behind.  It's going to be more expensive than it's worth however.

[Drakko]

5 hours ago, beersykins said:

I'd probably abort mission since you now inherit everyone's internet connectivity issues, and anything small/trivial will become your fault.

You'd also be wise to check into local laws on being a small ISP like this as this also opens you up to legal issues, say one of the users does illegal activities over this connection... I'm sure it varies by country or state to state depending where you are on "how much on the hook you are".

[ohdatpro]

On 2/6/2020 at 3:52 PM, Drakko said:

You'd also be wise to check into local laws on being a small ISP like this as this also opens you up to legal issues, say one of the users does illegal activities over this connection... I'm sure it varies by country or state to state depending where you are on "how much on the hook you are".

I see, this could indeed be a potential issue, something to certainly look into. With that being said, wouldn't an access point per unit associated with MAC addresses address any potential legal issue?

[Donut417]

37 minutes ago, ohdatpro said:

I see, this could indeed be a potential issue, something to certainly look into. With that being said, wouldn't an access point per unit associated with MAC addresses address any potential legal issue?

Heres the deal. If any one breaks the law on that connection and your name is attached as the account holder, your now legally responsible. The ISP has no way of knowing who broke the law. The IP address's are attached to an account with a name. The name on the account is the person held resposible. So if one of the ocupants looks up kiddie porn, the police are kicking your door in. Your better off not taking the risk.