Home Network Overhaul

Overkill?!? I do not understand that word.

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@gbyleveldt so this is happening… :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile: (will post more pics when I collect tomorrow)
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Oh, oh, oh.
What exactly did you end up ordering?

And pleaaaaaase keep us posted. I’m looking at doing something similar in a couple of months’ time with Ubiquiti, so I’m very curious.

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Apparently it’s already ready for collection, so should have some pics this afternoon :slight_smile:

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Right, collected.
Here it is:
Dream Machine, USE-24-POE switch, 4 U6-Lite APs, 1 In-wall AP
Also 2 boxes of Cat6, RJ45s, boots, etc.

Will probably only install it this weekend, want to do it right first time if possible.

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Wow now that is some eye candy …

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Unpacked a few things (you know, just to look at :slight_smile: )


The U6-lites are much smaller than I originally expected (about 15cm across)

Switch is pretty:

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Man oh man that’s some networking porn, well done!

I see no reason why the Dream Machine can’t be taken for a test, but that’s just me…

It can, but I’m planning on doing a “lift and shift” initially, which means all the settings on my current router need to go onto the DM.
Such as:

  • Forwarded ports (just one, for HA)
  • Static IPs (a few, for cameras, Sonoffs, etc)

Plus, unfortunately you have to plug the DM WAN port in to set it up (can’t do an offline setup), so it would require taking down my current network.

So, nothing insurmountable, just trying to have as little downtime as possible.

Seriously jealous! Especially since you got a bunch of Wifi 6 stuff too :stuck_out_tongue:

Which kid are you taking out of university? Ubiquiti is well priced compared with others, but still must have cost a pretty penny… :slight_smile:

It wasn’t cheap, but given that I now work from home, I’m sick and tired of having sub-standard network connectivity.

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I hear you. I must say, 2 years ago spending any significant money on my home network would have confounded my wife, my family, her family etc.

Nowadays I find it is much easier to explain to family that they will need to spend a couple of thousand R to get “better Wifi”, and they usually go ahead and do it too. Still not typically Ubiquiti stuff, but much better than the free Wifi router that the ISP provides…

Kids huh?

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Kids, wife, mother-in-law, Home-assistant automations relying on static IPs… :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Right, long day, but upgrade done.
Overall, very happy with results so far.

Some (/lots of) pics:
Adopting the switch and APs last night in preparation:

Mounting the In-Wall AP in my office (will double as a switch for my 2 computers there)
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Starting installing the switch (it’s on top of a bookshelf in our guest room, no rack/cupboards/etc available unfortunately

Dream Machine installed in the lounge (also wall-mounted the TV while I was at it :see_no_evil:)

APs in:
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(this one needs some conduit, couldn’t get to the back of it, despite 3 hours of trying…)


Switch cables (mostly) neatened up, conduit covers a multitude of sins…

Pretty dashboards:

Network layout view:

And, of course, the pretty switch touch-screen :slight_smile:
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Install went fairly well, apart from the 3 fruitless hours spent fighting with fish-tape to try get a cable to the back of one AP.
Crimped a lot of cables, sore fingers now.

Oh, also, pleasantly surprised by the low power draw.
That 1st switch screen display is total PoE usage, with 6 Reolink RLC410s, 4 U6-Lite APs, and 1 In-wall AP (47.5W). Going by the datasheet of each of those (which obviously give generous maximums), they should have been drawing about about 115W, which wouldn’t have worked with my 95W switch. Will see how it goes, but I think I’ll easily be able to add a few more cameras without issue.

Unifi interface is nice, though given that they’re currently transitioning between 2 styles, it can feel a bit disjointed at times (some screens are “new” and some are “classic”).
Setting up the necessary port forwards and static IPs was super quick, so there was minimal disruption to the network.

In terms of wifi setup, I went with a single SSID, shared by 2.4 & 5GHz, with all APs set to prefer 5GHz for applicable clients. I also enabled fast roaming, to ensure devices transition quickly as you move through the house (eg walking inside from the office when on a call).

Family are pleased too, so all in all I’m going to call this a win. Time for a drink :slight_smile:

Post script, the dogshow of equipment this install replaced:

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Nunc est Bibendum!

AsterixSwitzerland

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Very nice! I’ve been putting my network install off for months. Want to come and give me a hand? :smile: