Mark Kent
New Around Here
I am looking to upgrade my existing wired/wireless network. I’m a desktop admin by trade, so I don’t mind doing more reading (have already done a decent amount). I’m fine with just being pointed in the right direction.
Just some quick details. I live in western NY, my home was built in the late 70’s, is 2400 sq ft, sheetrock walls, copper wiring. I have 70 down, 5 up cable Internet. It comes into a Surfboard modem, from there it goes to a Netgear WNDR3700 running DD-WRT which handles both routing and wireless. There is a connection from the Netgear to a Cisco SG200 series switch. This feeds a number of CAT6 ports in the basement and 1st floor. I also have a Netgear powerline ethernet connection from the switch to the second floor master bedroom for my Roku. Everything works, no real issues.
For the most part, the wireless signal reaches all corners of the house. However, only the 2.4 is really usable in those areas and the signal is weak. Also, I’m on the porch or patio a lot in the summer and the signal is poor or non-existent. The router of course also does not support the latest standards.
So all in all, I’m looking to increase the reach and performance of the wireless network and wondering what the best approach is. Access points? Mesh? Something else? I also want to maintain a lot of control on the network, one reason I really like the DD-WRT software. I do like some of the new software I see out there (ex. the Amplify software that comes with their equipment looks really nice…but you can only use it on your smartphone…). I don’t mind looking at low end enterprise grade, or consumer is just fine. I would like to keep things under $1000 if possible.
Again, any hints, ideas, suggestions are appreciated. Many thanks!
Just some quick details. I live in western NY, my home was built in the late 70’s, is 2400 sq ft, sheetrock walls, copper wiring. I have 70 down, 5 up cable Internet. It comes into a Surfboard modem, from there it goes to a Netgear WNDR3700 running DD-WRT which handles both routing and wireless. There is a connection from the Netgear to a Cisco SG200 series switch. This feeds a number of CAT6 ports in the basement and 1st floor. I also have a Netgear powerline ethernet connection from the switch to the second floor master bedroom for my Roku. Everything works, no real issues.
For the most part, the wireless signal reaches all corners of the house. However, only the 2.4 is really usable in those areas and the signal is weak. Also, I’m on the porch or patio a lot in the summer and the signal is poor or non-existent. The router of course also does not support the latest standards.
So all in all, I’m looking to increase the reach and performance of the wireless network and wondering what the best approach is. Access points? Mesh? Something else? I also want to maintain a lot of control on the network, one reason I really like the DD-WRT software. I do like some of the new software I see out there (ex. the Amplify software that comes with their equipment looks really nice…but you can only use it on your smartphone…). I don’t mind looking at low end enterprise grade, or consumer is just fine. I would like to keep things under $1000 if possible.
Again, any hints, ideas, suggestions are appreciated. Many thanks!