Looking for access point suggestions?

I originally used 2 Araknis AN-300 access points in my home, and it’s probably time to upgrade to Wifi 6 and the latest encryption standards. I’d have to find a SNAP AV dealer in the New England area that would allow me to program and install my own APs on my OVRC account, if sticking with Araknis for APs.

I’ve been looking at D-Link, as I run their 1200 series switches, with one being POE for the access points, and another 1200 24 port for the hardwired network. I’ve also considered Ubiquiti for APs, but I’m a little leary of having to use another app on my phone to manage their online status.

At the head end, I’m using an Araknis AN-310 router, and I have a Wattbox WB-300VP for remotely rebooting things as needed, with the Arris SB8200 modem being weekly. I run 3 separate VLANs for my devices, so any AP I use will need to be able to do multiple SSIDs and VLANs

Suggestions for Access Points? Picture of my messy basement setup for attention, i never really have to touch it anyways.

  • Wdrussell1@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    So the problem with doing APs for homes is that people over think the needs they have and what it will take to get them.

    You need APs, and you don’t want the management to be a pain. That is easy. Pretty much anything can do that. However, Unifi is really one of the best options for this. They are not ‘buy AP, plug and play’ or anything they do take a little setup. But they are solid.

    What you need from Unifi for a proper setup is to get a Cloud Key, or a Dream Machine product and then 2 of their Wifi6 APs. (or however many APs you need). Unifi requires its own console to manage everything. But as you said you don’t really have to touch things often. Unifi is no different. You set them up, you forget about them. If they break, you replace them. Simple as that.

    My suggestion is that if you want to have just one pane to manage everything, then convert your network gear to Unifi. Get a Dream Machine, a switch, and a couple of APs. This contains everything you need to manage the whole network and it is solid gear. And from one pane of glass you can manage the AP, switch, and Dream Machine.

    • Supergrunged@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      So basically you’re saying, instead of $500 for 2 access points, redo the entire network, VLANs and firewall rules? Am I reading that correctly? Because that sounds like another $1000 in equipment, as I’d have to swap to their power management as well doing so… Plus the Dream Machine isn’t exactly rack mountable, to try and keep things somewhat clean…

      • Medical_Working8774@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        Yes he his dayum is buy a cloud key gen 2 and a u6 enterprise access point. That’s it lmao don’t need a new router just control over your access point