Mesh Router Suggestion - Detailed use case and help request.

[degrub]

i was thinking of using 1) powering everything else down but the isp router or
using a wireless router in the basement maybe

 

[Tech9]

Whatever works with acceptable level of inconvenience for the user. Power down the APs is perhaps the cleaner way, at least the closest one. Otherwise there is no guarantee the client will connect to the temp router and not to one of the APs. Since the introduction of gateways with built-in controller UniFi become more attractive as home system and questions were asked if at some point WPS is going to be supported, but the answer was short and clear - not happening. Folks with Omada system at home do similar tricks for IoTs with WPS connection. Similar questions about support were asked, the same answer - not happening.

 

[Tech9]

Do you have any specific hardware you would recommend for my situation?

I would build an UniFi network. I have 2x in use already with uptime since installed. Very stable and with full VLAN support wired and wireless. In case your existing 10GbE switch passes all VLANs and you are okay with wired devices on the main VLAN - UCG-Ultra (GbE ports) or UCG-Max (2.5GbE ports) connected to your 10GbE switch and 3-4 U6-Mesh APs around the house. Use the planning tool to find out how many do you need. They come with PoE injector included and can be used as desktop APs. Wall mounting hardware is also included. You won't be able to control the ports on the unmanaged switch, but you'll have full APs control for VLAN, SSID, channel and Tx power. Wi-Fi performance - around 800Mbps on 80MHz wide channel from single AP. Aggregate Wi-Fi throughput on different channels may exceed 1.6Gbps. Total cost $915 for UCG-Max and 4x U6-Mesh. UI setup - easy, you perhaps need a day or two to figure it out. Functionality - what you have in Asus routers plus extras (VLAN on single SSID, ad-blocking, geo-blocking, selective routing, inter-VLAN routing, IDS/IPS with no 3rd party involvement and data sharing, etc.). What it doesn't have - gaming related presets and multiple QoS options, no WPS support as mentioned above. For QoS it has FQ-CoDel available called Smart Queues. Not recommended over 300Mbps ISP lines. Parental controls and app filtering is available as well as DNS interception/redirection and DNS encryption (DoH). Built quality - excellent, Apple-like. Hardware - all Qualcomm for the products mentioned above. Software quality and support - very good, above average consumer products. Warranty - 1 year, poor replacement service as per user feedback. Low failure rate though, not a big concern.