I've recently become a fan of UniFi/Ubiquity. It's enterprise gear so you have
real management tools, fancy networking and security features, and significant
expandability. However, their stuff almost as inexpensive as cosumer-grade
gear. Further, the initial setup for their newer UniFi gear is just as easy as
consumer stuff with a fancy iOS App (or website if you prefer).
UniFi's founder even has roots working on Apple's AirPort Team:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pera ;
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pera>. He wanted to make better AirPorts
and Apple said, "Pass," so he left to start Ubiquity.
You can start with their new Dream Machine (which clearly takes inspiration
from AirPort Extreme) and then grow from there.
https://store.ui.com/products/unifi-dream-machine ;
<https://store.ui.com/products/unifi-dream-machine>
If you have Ethernet runs you can make an enterprise-grade home network with
additional access points. They have a few neat options to choose from...
Flying saucer wall/ceiling mount:
https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-nanohd-us
<https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-nanohd-us>
Tabletop cylinder thingy:
https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-flexhd
<https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-flexhd>
Outlet mount with built-in Ethernet switch (this one needs an additional PoE
injector, but they sell them for under $10:
https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-in-wall-hd
<https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-access-points/products/unifi-in-wall-hd>
I recently replaced my home router with a Dream Machine Pro, but for now I've
kept my existing pair of final-gen AirPort Extremes as access points. They are
actually really strong access points, they just aren't very good routers by
modern standards. I chose the "Pro" over the standard Dream Machine because I'm
lucky enough to have a full gigabit fiber connection at home and I wanted to
enable all the security features which requires a beefier CPU at those speeds.
If I was still on a "slower" cable modem I would have gone for the normal Dream
Machine as it has enough CPU to handle speeds below ~750 MB/s.
Kevin
--------------------------------
Kevin M. White
kevinmwhite@xxxxxx
502-552-6325
