Network Router and Access Points Advice

mattyc123 · 11 Jun 2020 at 11:56

Hi all,

I have recently finished wiring my house with cat6a cable and I have a 1G network switch. I have virgin media broadband and I am currently using the VM hub as my router.
I have a pihole that I am using as my DNS server but I want to add that into the router but the VM hub doesn't let you change the DNS settings.
I have some WIFI issues around the house and I want to change over to 2 or 3 access points instead of the router.
I have been looking at the Ubiquity AC lite access points and the USG or the EdgeRouter X.

What are your thoughts and comments on these systems and do you have any recommendations for the setup?
I don't rely need high speed wireless just decent reliable coverage, if i want high speed i just plug into the wired points.

Thanks

Sparx · 12 Jun 2020 at 22:23

I recently upgraded last month to a USG, UniFi PoE Switch and AC Lite AP - works perfectly for me, very happy.

WJA96 · 13 Jun 2020 at 07:57

I would agree with @Sparx, USG, AP-AC-Lite and run your Superhub in modem mode and the USG WAN in DHCP is pretty much optimal for a home environment.

mattyc123 · 16 Jun 2020 at 22:51

Great, thanks for your replys.

What do you think between a mikrotik hex an edgerouter x or a USG?

Thanks

WJA96 · 17 Jun 2020 at 04:06

Rereading your initial post, if you want to run your own DNS server then it has to be the hex. The USG can’t do it and the ER-X can’t do it properly.

EdgeRouter how-to is here https://williehowe.com/2018/06/05/edgerouter-as-a-simple-dns-server/

Mikrotik RouterOS tutorial by @Steveocee is here https://youtu.be/mu-6kllbsas

Personally, I’d get the USG and leave the DNS server on the Pi.

mattyc123 · 17 Jun 2020 at 11:34

WJA96 said:
Rereading your initial post, if you want to run your own DNS server then it has to be the hex. The USG can’t do it and the ER-X can’t do it properly.

EdgeRouter how-to is here https://williehowe.com/2018/06/05/edgerouter-as-a-simple-dns-server/

Mikrotik RouterOS tutorial by @Steveocee is here https://youtu.be/mu-6kllbsas

Personally, I’d get the USG and leave the DNS server on the Pi.

I plan on keeping the DNS on the pi and just pointing the router to it. The Home hub can't do it.

WJA96 · 17 Jun 2020 at 12:48

In that case, my previous response stands - get the USG 3P. It's a great little router and it fully integrates so if you add a Unifi switch later it all 'just works'.

mattyc123 · 17 Jun 2020 at 14:33

WJA96 said:
In that case, my previous response stands - get the USG 3P. It's a great little router and it fully integrates so if you add a Unifi switch later it all 'just works'.

would you go for the USG over the Edgerouter X?

It seems to be recommended more that the USG and has a faster processor.

WJA96 · 17 Jun 2020 at 15:20

mattyc123 said:
would you go for the USG over the Edgerouter X?

It seems to be recommended more that the USG and has a faster processor.

Yes. I think I would, for 3 reasons.

Firstly, it fully integrates with the UniFi controller. So it ‘just works’.
Secondly, if you can’t do it in the controller, you can go to the command line and do it in the JSON config file. The USG is fundamentally an EdgeRouter Lite underneath and runs the same Linux based OS so anything you can do on an EdgeRouter you can do on a USG.
Thirdly, the USG offers IPS/IDS, site to site VPN and the easiest VLAN integration imaginable.

Yes, the USG is more expensive. And yes, unless you have FTTC broadband it’s not fast enough to run IPS/IDS at full line speed. Let’s be honest though. Most UK broadband is FTTC under 85Mbps so For many the USG is just fine in that respect. Without IPS/IDS Or QoS the USG 3P will Happily route BT’s top 910Mbps FTTP package. As will the ER-X. Ultimately it’s your call, but unless I had a really good reason to not use the USG (like cost) I’d get the USG. And if you can’t afford the USG then get the hex because it makes the USG and ER-X look like toy routers in terms of speed and features.