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We moved from CA to TX last summer. Before we moved I had a stable Wifi setup and VOIP. I threw all the gear into a box but it never made it to the other end. (I also lost all my 9mm magazines .... 
)
Anyway, I've been using rented equipment from our new cable provider for the last 6 months. No real complaints since the rent is only $5/month and coverage has been ok for the most part, but our new house is much bigger than the old old one: 2 floors, 3700 sq ft. Decided to upgrade.
Went will a full Ubiquiti system based on a recommendation from a work colleague. It's more of an "enterprise grade" setup but provides complete coverage.
1) Secure Gateway (Router)
2) POE Switch (Power Over Ethernet)
3) 3x AC Access Points
4) Obihai 202 VOIP Box: (100% free voice phone system via Google Voice)
5) Powerline Ethernet for connecting the Obihai in a suitable location:
($22 with coupon, in-store)
The components must first be "provisioned" before they will play together. This means an external piece of software must download the configuration into each. You can do that through your smart phone, via a computer on your network, from the cloud or through a "Cloud Key" (like a small embedded computer on a stick.) I decided do run it from my laptop.
Outcome:
- The initial setup was a PITA. You need to hook up your laptop directly to the gateway and download some software. I should have done this step before tearing down the old system.
- Connecting the Access Points is a breeze if you have existing Ethernet cables in your home! The POE allows them to run without a power supply, just plug in an ethernet cable. (Access Points are what you'll find at work, schools, airports etc.)
- Performance is excellent! I get 177 Mbps download speed in my laptop, provider max is 200 Mbps for our basic internet plan. ($50/month)
- I can see everything that's going on within our network! Every device is listed. Turns out we have about 20 gadgets online (computers, phones, TVs, playstations etc.) The router also features "deep packet" inspection, allowing you to see what sites your kids have been surfing
- I lost our original Obihai box in the move but the new one connected effortlessly with our existing Google Voice account. Now I can call "home" and the phone rings in the house just like it did before.
Everything was about $700. It's a lot, but only about twice as much as a fancy "gaming router" that still would not reach all the nooks & crannies in the house. The access points provide great coverage.
)Anyway, I've been using rented equipment from our new cable provider for the last 6 months. No real complaints since the rent is only $5/month and coverage has been ok for the most part, but our new house is much bigger than the old old one: 2 floors, 3700 sq ft. Decided to upgrade.
Went will a full Ubiquiti system based on a recommendation from a work colleague. It's more of an "enterprise grade" setup but provides complete coverage.
1) Secure Gateway (Router)
2) POE Switch (Power Over Ethernet)
3) 3x AC Access Points
4) Obihai 202 VOIP Box: (100% free voice phone system via Google Voice)
5) Powerline Ethernet for connecting the Obihai in a suitable location:
($22 with coupon, in-store)
The components must first be "provisioned" before they will play together. This means an external piece of software must download the configuration into each. You can do that through your smart phone, via a computer on your network, from the cloud or through a "Cloud Key" (like a small embedded computer on a stick.) I decided do run it from my laptop.
Outcome:
- The initial setup was a PITA. You need to hook up your laptop directly to the gateway and download some software. I should have done this step before tearing down the old system.
- Connecting the Access Points is a breeze if you have existing Ethernet cables in your home! The POE allows them to run without a power supply, just plug in an ethernet cable. (Access Points are what you'll find at work, schools, airports etc.)
- Performance is excellent! I get 177 Mbps download speed in my laptop, provider max is 200 Mbps for our basic internet plan. ($50/month)
- I can see everything that's going on within our network! Every device is listed. Turns out we have about 20 gadgets online (computers, phones, TVs, playstations etc.) The router also features "deep packet" inspection, allowing you to see what sites your kids have been surfing
- I lost our original Obihai box in the move but the new one connected effortlessly with our existing Google Voice account. Now I can call "home" and the phone rings in the house just like it did before.
Everything was about $700. It's a lot, but only about twice as much as a fancy "gaming router" that still would not reach all the nooks & crannies in the house. The access points provide great coverage.
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