Hi, and sorry in advance if this is the wrong community to post this. But I seek some advice on how I can upgrade my home networking setup that also connects my selfhosted services.

I have posted a shitty Visio that visualized my current setup, but just to describe it in some words.

I use an aging Amplifi HD router and access point, that is connected through wireless to a mesh point.

It works, but I am aware how much of the throughput disappears when connecting through the meshpoint. And I would also like to utilize newer technologies like Wifi 6 (i already have devices that support this standard) or even 6E.

So I thought about switching the router to a dedicated one without a wireless access point, and then wire an access point to provide wireless access.

While I was at it, it could be interesting going from gigabit to 2.5 for the wired devices. One of the homelabs could be modified to utilize it. Or at least just gain the possibility in a future upgrade, by getting a router that supports it while I am at it.

My question is, what would you suggest I upgraded with? I’m open for OpenWRT or PFsense/OPNsense, and keeping things modular.

Edit: and I am located within the EU, if it has any bearing on what devices are available without crazy import duties.

  • Skullkid@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I’ve heard good things about TP Link WAP as well. They have some that support 2.5G/Wifi6. I like pfsense if it is available in your country/budget for firewall. I use a virtual appliance but it’s essentially the same thing software wise. It has a bit of a learning curve and but it’s a very common enterprise level firewall so the skills you learn will be transferrable not just to work (if you work in IT) but also to other firewalls like fortinet, Palo Alto, etc. because the fundamental firewall principles are the same even if the GUI and specific features are not.

    • Bimbleby@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      I work with the Azure cloud infrastructure, with quite a bit of networking included, so it’s one of the motivations of not necessarily taking the easy route. What hardware are you using?

      • Skullkid@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Oh nice. For mine personally I have a proxmox server and pfsense is one of my vms. It’s not my edge router though because I am not passing through the nic it is using directly to the firewall so technically it would be proxmox virtual switch on the edge which I don’t inherently trust so my provider router is at the edge and I just port forward any ports for services I need. This can all be simplified of you just get a physical appliance from netgate website lol. I’m planning on doing so myself in the near future. It’s a great product though software wise once you get the hang of it it’s fairly straightforward. Fortigate also has home equipment but I think it comes with license cost. I’d look into it if you have money to spend because they are another industry leader.