Buying networking equipment

[Jackett17]

Hello I'm new to networking other than the basics and about to buy my first house so I'm looking to start off right but I'm on a bit of a budget. I'm looking for help getting good products that aren't crappy and going to die is a couple years. I'm looking for a managed switch something simple with maybe 10 ports and a router and access point separately so I can reach everywhere with maybe getting some POE cameras and stuff later but it's not a big necessity. What brands or products would you recommend I look at? Thank you for the help

 

Edit to add my budget is probably around 500usd maybe more for router, switch, and one ap for now depending on size thoughlooking more im temptedto get the dream machine pro se. Please let me know if thats ridiculous. Also I have a fiber connection from my isp so I'll probably stick with their modem unless there's a good reason to go custom that'll work with fiber. 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Jackett17
Added information

[seanondemand]

The go-to solution for a lot of folks for what you want to do is the Ubiquiti UniFi line of gear which is something you’ve seen on some LTT content, because it’s really the most pro-sumer style networking line (as opposed to either more basic consumer wifi solutions/full-on enterprise gear). I started a while back with a UniFi Security Gateway, a Switch POE 8-150w and a couple APs and have since swapped out the USG with a Dream Machine Pro, added a couple more APs and some of their Protect cameras (all Poe) and their doorbell. It’s all managed through their pretty friendly interface and it’s pretty plug-and-play and easy to setup, while also being modular and more configurable than a more consumer-oriented system so that’s the pro-sumer appeal.
Without a more specific budget it’s hard to say whether it fits what you need but you would be likely looking at a Dream Machine Pro or Dream Machine Pro SE to start (difference mostly being the non-POE ports on the non-SE); a POE switch, preferably one with SFP ports, if you don’t go SE or need more ports; and one or two APs, all their wifi 6 ones are good options, just built for different needs. You can price it all out on their website, because they do sell direct. 

[Jackett17]

Thanks ill check out the videos and look at the website and I don't really know how much I need to budget for everything or what a reasonable budget would be.

[SpookyCitrus]

I have a custom setup, what modem you get depends on if you will have fiber or cable internet. Most of the time with fiber the ISP will provide the modem, you can get one for cable from them as well but personally I prefer to use my own on cable internet. As far as router and AP goes, I have a Ubiquiti Edge Router X, with a TP-Link EAP650 Ultra-Slim AX3000 Wi-Fi 6. If you need more ethernet connections really any gigabit switch would do if you needed but at least for me with my gaming/work computer and the AP being the only hardwired connections plugged into the router I didn't need an additional switch. They're the only two things I plug in, every other device I just have on Wi-Fi. As far as being upgradeable and basic this is what I would do, if you want to be as cheap and simple as possible you could get a modem/router combo unit.

 

But if you're looking for budget options this AP and Router are great, the modem is also the one I have and in terms of modems and their features it's reasonably priced and should last you awhile.

 

TP-Link AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 AP - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XM74VQL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

Ubiquiti Edge Router X - https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-ER-X-Router/dp/B0144R449W/ref=sr_1_3?crid=YFRUKW46O1V8&keywords=edge+router+x&qid=1670349797&s=electronics&sprefix=edge+router+x%2Celectronics%2C115&sr=1-3

 

Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem - https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Cable-Modem-CM1200/dp/B07Q5VM51Y/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2JZESJ06HLE2H&keywords=gigabit%2Bcable%2Bmodem&qid=1670349906&refinements=p_n_feature_eleven_browse-bin%3A17369501011&rnid=17369496011&s=pc&sprefix=gigabit%2Bcable%2Bmodem%2Celectronics%2C123&sr=1-6&th=1

 

 

[vmdyap2022]

some suggestions, i'm no expert but items listed are the one I would buy for a budget setup:

for affordable switch tp-link TL-SG108E for managed switch, it has 8 ports. $30 in amazon

for switch that has POE tp-link TL-SG108PE $90 in amazon - has 4 poe ports

for access points/router tp link deco x20, x55

 

additionally, you can combine this with a ubiquiti edgerouter x for $60 <- this is one device that I read people recommend for a "custom" setup

 

depends on the "budget"

other higher end budget people recommend ubiquiti sysyem (router, aps, switches)