Hi forum dwellers!
I’ve moved into a new home and am trying to figure out my network situation (also need furniture, but that can wait).
==Core ask==
Please provide suggestions on network hardware and structure to accomplish the following goals
- Take full advantage of the symmetrical 1Gbps connection, and remove most/all internal bottlenecks
- Run any higher risk devices (IoT, mobile phones, work computer, etc) on a separate/isolated network than my core devices (NAS, desktops, notebooks, etc.)
- Get solid wifi coverage across 2 stories, 2500 sq ft home
==Context==
I’m currently setup in the following manner:
Note 1: The Google Fiber network box is a corner of the garage, far from any outputs. There is a Cat5e cable that they managed to get to a patch panel in an almost inaccessible spot of the house, which then connects it to an upstairs room of the house. I have the PoE injector in this top room, with the router providing WiFi to the house, and it works OK, not great.
Note 2: I tried running all of the mobile devices & IoT on the Guest Network of the Netgear XR500, but I couldn’t set up a single device on it. It’s like the devices couldn’t communicate with each other.
Note 3: I have a couple of Google Wifi router/aps, and also set up the same config but using its Router + AP/mesh setup. The wifi coverage was awesome, but also couldn’t use the Guest network to put the IoT & mobile devices on, same issue persisted where they can’t seem to communicate with each other.
==Budget==
Trying to keep this under $700.
==Strech goal==
I’m going to be preparing the CCNA next year, and will likely be practicing labs on GN3 or other virtualized setups (trying my best not to become a Homelabber!)… however… if there’s specific HW that is not complete overkill and helps get more acquainted with the concepts, interfaces, terminology, or best practices, I’m would much rather buy ‘that’ hardware (even if a bit over budget).
Thanks in advance and happy to provide extra details if needed!