Streamline a clunky network - help

[Pickers]

Hi all!
I currently have BT internet FTTC with a smart hub2, getting 60Mbs download. I have a pi set up as a pihole adblocker but as you can't add a custom DNS to the smarthub router, I have turned off its dchp and am using the dchp function of pihole. This periodically has problems and needs a reboot. Usually issues occur if I've had to turn off electricity (or at least the router) for any reason. In short, I don't like the pihole DHCP.

So, what I want is:-
* To keep using a combined modem/router to save electricity and wires.
* To have an adblocker running (pihole or.perhaps adguard?)
* Have guest WiFi

My thoughts are:-
1) Install openwrt to my spare HH5 and use this as a direct replacement for the smarthub2, which will allow me to control DNS to point to pihole and have a guest network. (Unfortunately I don't think I can get adguard on the HH5 - anyone know?)

2) get a new modem/router which has what I want (ac1900?) But at cost of £££ to me. And to be honest I'm not sure what?

3) get a better modem/router and put openwrt on it...

4) separate modem and router - like say use the SH2 as modem and openwrt HH5 as the WiFi router, or is this just a silly complication?

As you might tell, Im not the most versed in these areas so am seeing if anyone has a setup or suggestion that may help me!

Finally, I'm not happy with cost of BT broadband so this may eventually change anyway.

Many thanks!

 

[Meddling-Monk]

It's not going to solve your issues, but - have you considered grabbing a UPS to keep the Pi and SM2 powered whilst things are turned off so there's less issues cropping up? Or do you turn off the power for a VERY long time?

 

[Pickers]

An outside the box solution! I don't think it's what I would do though, as if I were going to buy equipment, I'd buy a replacement VDSL/router

 

[Rainmaker]

You can run AdGuard Home directly as a package on OpenWRT. You also have the option of using blocklists inside your DNS server there. Personally, I'd rip off the plaster and separate everything out. Proper standalone modem (eBay has them cheap) > proper router > switch > wireless AP. I'd keep AdGuard Home (not PiHole, personally) running on the Pi, and leave the router to do your routing. Consider an x86 router rather than a little commercial off the shelf box.

As an aside, AdGuard Home can also do DHCP and I've never known it fall over with 50+ clients on a medium sized home network. For now, you may want to 'quickly' switch the Pi to AdGuard Home with DHCP and see how you get on, while you plan a proper network upgrade. Don't forget there's also OPNsense, which likewise is rock solid and has lots of packages available. It's also a bit friendlier than OpenWRT in some ways (eg updates, packages, DNS).