Spec me: modem, router and AC access point

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Deleted member 651465

Deleted member 651465

Hey guys,

I have been meaning to update my system for a while, but keep putting it off as my other half is a teacher and she uses the internet/network constantly. The idea of turning things off or "downtime" isn't an option and I don't fancy setting up gear with her breathing down my neck :D:p

Anyway, as I'm starting a new job in December I have a few days between start date where I could set aside a whole day to muck about getting some new items installed, whilst she is at work. I want to keep it sub £400.

My current set up is all rack mounted (including the wireless router), which is crippling the throughput as it's effectively inside a faraday cage... I tested it, believe me I know! but like I said.. I never got around to changing it as the current setup works well enough. In total the rack includes a BT Openreach modem, an ASUS 87U AC router, a 24 port HP switch and a FreeNAS server. The rest of the items include a Raspberry Pi, games consoles, surround sound amp, sky box etc. Everything in the house is located in the rack and the whole house is wired with Cat 6 (there's a thread somewhere ;))

I had ideas of simply buying an access point and connecting it up BUT that adds a 3rd device to the mix and I'd no longer have use for such an expensive AC router. The main aim is to swap to a single VDSL modem / router under the stairs and supplement it with a dedicated AC ceiling mounted access point at the top of the landing on the 1st floor. Being a 80m2 square house (each floor, total of 160m2), I can't see the single AP having issues with reach as the current router gets everywhere and it's inside a rack under the stairs, but I may considering another AP in the same location on the ground floor later down the line.

Moving the current router was shot down as the AC87U is a monster and to put it in my fiancée's words "would look ridiculous on a shelf or table anywhere".

I'm looking at the Draytek Vigor 2860 as my standalone VDSL modem/router with a Ubiquiti UAP-AC-PRO UniFi AC1750 access point. This comes in around £325 which isn't unreasonable considering I'd probably get £100 back for selling the router.

Note: I also have seen the Draytek 910AC access point (and understand there's a central management system on the Draytek page) but I would rather the faster speed of the Ubiquiti and I don't have a degree in networking :p

Can anyone shed any light on either of these? There's some threads knocking about but they're old by comparison. What about PoE? I can use the empty socket in the rack to power a PoE switch but which one would people recommend?
 
I'd just add a UniFi AP (or two) to what you have and disable the wireless on the router.

The only reason to replace the router is if it's missing functionality you need.

Edit:

If you use UniFi APs you won't need a PoE switch.

I want to reduce the power consumption and go for 1 device in the rack, with an access point outside. Not really looking to add an AP to the existing setup as it'll make than worse :p

I'm currently in the middle of wiring up a Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR AP. You won't be disappointed with the range. Not sure if your setup is able to run VMs but have you considered running PfSense instead of a router? Either on dedicated hardware or as a VM. As a VM it would get rid of another box and as either it is infinitely more powerful and customisable than a consumer grade all in one.

As stated above the Unifi APs come with a POE injector in the box, so you're sorted there.

Thought about PfSense but tbh that's too much hassle for my 2 days off :D
 
You were supposed to convince me that it was a good idea :p

I checked the power consumption figures and it amounted to a 4W saving by replacing the 2 devices for 1, so not really worth it from that point of view. However, every little helps as they say and with the sale of the Asus router and some overdue cashback, I won't be paying for the benefit of changing. This may sound crazy but something bugs me about buying an expensive AC wireless router and turning off the wireless component. I keep thinking that having a wires only combined modem/router and adding a wireless AP is more logical than a single individual modem, a router and AP... I can't explain it.

Incidentally, do you have access to the distance between the wall mount points on the underside of a 2860? I know it can be done as the specifications list wall mounting and I've even seen the photographs but I cannot find the dimensions. Currently my fibre modem is on the wall behind the rack with a short RJ11 run from the socket to the modem. If the mounts line up it could be a case of straight swapping the existing modem like for like and simply removing the router from the rack. If not, I'm looking at drilling new mounts or replacing the existing router in the rack (with the new modem/router) and running a 3m RJ11 cable from the master socket to the front of the rack.

I've also looked for other wires-only VDSL modem/routers but the Draytek keeps coming back as the best option.
 
Hmmm I do like the look of the USG.

bledd, I assume you're going for the smaller 4 port USG. What's the difference between the USG and the rack mountable USG pro minus the price tag? :confused:
 
I accidentally ordered the rack version :rolleyes:

Stupid website I was on is one of those which lets you put in an order by progressing without payment details. Sigh.
 
I might order the USG from another site (not available on the one with the backwards ordering system) and see how I get on. They're hard to find though :(
 
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