Network Planning

[Aw_Ginger_Snapz]

Hello everyone,

     As the tile says, I am trying to completely revamp my home network. I opened this thread to share my idea for the infrastructure of the network and to hear any of your suggestions for products and methods of implementation. Please keep in mine that I do have a budget, so no fancy wireless routers that cost more than $100. I am also not trying to future proof anything until my ISP provides fiber internet.  At the top layer, I have the garbage Arris modem my ISP provided me which interfaces with a coax cable. It also acts as a media gateway for my TV boxes. From that I have a Cisco router that is dual band and 802.11 n. However, this router has terrible range, has potato specs, constantly drops connection, and shuts off my whole network at times because it is my security device, and my network management device. From that, I have a few gigabit switches that come from the router that serve the main floor and second floor Ethernet connections I have in my walls. Finaly from the gigabit switches, I have a QNAP NAS storage, and 10/100 base T switch for legacy devices including the Xbox One (irony). #PCMasterRace

 

The problems:

• I believe that my network has too much overhead by through the router. Unfortunately, it is the only security/network management device I have. Its packing an old atom processor, and 256mb of ram which is easily saturated by streaming at low resolutions, and online gaming. Which causes the whole network to require a reset. 
• My gigabit switches I bought almost 10+ years ago are complete rubbish. I bought them because they were the only way I could get gigabit Ethernet into my house at the time. 

 

The solutions:

• I am retiring my current gaming PC for Ryzen, when it becomes available. It currently has 32Gb of ECC ram, and two Xeon x5450 CPUs. I am planning to turn it into a PF Sense box so it can handle all of my internal network traffic and security. I already have my hands on a few 4-port gigabit PCI-E NIC cards for this device. 
• At the top of my network I want my own modem, that is faster than the one my ISP provided me. Then I plan to have my PFSense machine under it with a bridged ethernet connection, to ensure there is no transfer rate bottlenecks between the PF Sense machine and the modem. Then I plan to have my two switches, my NAS, my wireless device, and my 10/100 switch all hooked into my PF Sense box.
• NO MORE DAISY CHAINING DEVICES!!!

 

Keep in mind: 

• I like PF Sense because I am already familiar with it, and its capabilities. Also, it gives me the ability to make my own VPN, and is affordable which is important to me.
• I need this network upgrade for home use as well as enterprise use for my small business.
• I am looking for features such full bridge mode, VPN access to my company office, remote connection, and faster internal transfer speeds either through less overhead or bridged connections.

 

So here is where I need all of your opinions and suggestions. 

• What would be a good option for a personal replacement modem?
• What is a good option for a replacement router that provides wireless ac, 5Ghz, and dual band Wi-Fi? (I was looking at a ASUS RT-ACRH13 router, which is just the right price).
• Would there be a better logistical method for laying out each of my devices?

 

Thanks for taking your time to read this, and I'm looking forward to your feedback!

[Electronics Wizardy]

5 minutes ago, Aw_Ginger_Snapz said:

. It currently has 32Gb of ECC ram, and two Xeon x5450 CPUs. I am planning to turn it into a PF Sense box so it can handle all of my internal network traffic and security.

this will kill your power bill and cost over 500 a year in most areas to say power.

 

Id buy unify aps for wifi.

 

Get rid of the 10/100 switch, all gig everywhere.

 

For the router, id look at the edge router lite or a lower power system like a nuc.

[Aw_Ginger_Snapz]

5 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

this will kill your power bill and cost over 500 a year in most areas to say power.

 

Id buy unify aps for wifi.

 

Get rid of the 10/100 switch, all gig everywhere.

 

For the router, id look at the edge router lite or a lower power system like a nuc.

Power isn't an issue. After all, I have a bunch of servers in my basement for my off site backup. Plus power is cheap where I live because I am on a green energy grid.

 I also need to keep the 10/100 switch for compatibility purposes because I have some legacy hardware.

I would do the nuc idea, but the issue is that I don't want to spend that kind of money. 

 

I'll do some research for the unify aps idea though. Do you have any experience, or tips for this solution that would be useful to know?

[Electronics Wizardy]

6 minutes ago, Aw_Ginger_Snapz said:

I also need to keep the 10/100 switch for compatibility purposes because I have some legacy hardware.

Gig should work worht 10/100 just fine, but if it doesn't you can force it to in the console

 

7 minutes ago, Aw_Ginger_Snapz said:

I'll do some research for the unify aps idea though. Do you have any experience, or tips for this solution that would be useful to know?

yep i have personally used and deployed about 10 of them now. No issues and ther best wifi ap for about 80-120 dollars. Easy to manage too.

[Aw_Ginger_Snapz]

12 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Gig should work worht 10/100 just fine, but if it doesn't you can force it to in the console

 

yep i have personally used and deployed about 10 of them now. No issues and ther best wifi ap for about 80-120 dollars. Easy to manage too.

I'll look into the ap for Wi-Fi.