Help. Home network configuration

[matteobad]

Hello everyone, thanks in advance for your time and sorry for my English, I’m italian.

Basically I’m not so sure on how to configure my LAN. Right now I use a Netgear DGND3700v2, modem + router ADSL2+ dual band with a top speed of 600Mbit (300 + 300). This device is located in the center of my home, the only place where I can plug it into, and it handle very smoothly over wifi 3 PCs, a bunch on mobile devices, a console and shortly a NAS that I’m going to build + some smart TVs.

What I need is a wired connection for my desktops, console and NAS, in order to get the theoretical 1Gbit data transfer mainly between the NAS and the PCs. Plus I need a wireless connection for the smart devices capable of handling 1080p (4k in the future) streaming.

Since I have an old core 2 duo lying around I thought that I could built a pfsense router (I wanna try) and use the Netgear as modem only. All the PCs, NAS... and the future pfsense router are in the same room and I already have a 10m Ethernet cable to connect the new router to the Netgear.

Here is my question: Can do something like this? Or I should buy an AP? Or there is a better way?

Netgear(modem) ----> pfsense(router)
pfsense(router) ----> Netgear(AP) ----> Mobile
pfsense(router) ----> switch ----> PCs/NAS

 

So, I want a wired connection for computers and console, a wireless connection for streaming 1080p/4k. I already have the hardware for a pfsense router and I would really like to use it. I’m open to suggestions and I have some money if I need to buy something else.

[brwainer]

You won't be able to use the netgear as both a modem (WAN) and AP (LAN) - unless I misunderstood and you have two netgear devices. The recommendation with PFsense routers is to use dedicated APs, or consumer routers configured to work as APs.

[matteobad]

Thanks for your answer. Another question come to mind... Would it be possible to use a PCI wireless card to use the pfsense router as AP too?

Do you have any suggestions for a good AP, or PCI card if possible for around 100€?

[brwainer]

1 hour ago, matteobad said:

Thanks for your answer. Another question come to mind... Would it be possible to use a PCI wireless card to use the pfsense router as AP too?

Do you have any suggestions for a good AP, or PCI card if possible for around 100€?

it is possible but pfsense has really bad wireless support, and people who set it up generally aren't happy with the results. Also last I checked (a few months ago) they still didn't have MIMO or 802.11ac support.

[matteobad]

ok perfect. I'll go with an AP