Edgerouter+AP To Replace Consumer Router? (advice)

O

oMek

Gawd
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
656
I have an older linksys ac1900 that has seen better days. I have tried stock FW and also diff versions of DD-WRT.

I am sick of consumer routers. They always seem to cause issues. I currently have a 300Mbps comcast. Running a SB6183.

After doing some looking around I think I have decided on the EdgeRouter X and UAP-AC-LR. Am I going to regret this? I really have never done any networking but from watching videos it does not seem too hard.

I will be running 2x wired desktops and about 15 wireless devices.

My apartment is around 900sq feet. Will a single UAP-AC-LR cover the full apartment?
 
If you're willing to learn and you read the documentation I can't imagine you'll regret it.
 
Not sure the UAP-AC-LR (long-range) is the right choice for a ~900 ft^2 apartment. Given the number of wireless devices you have, I'd be looking at the UAP-AC-Pro. Assuming your devices support 5GHz, the additional bandwidth should help. You also won't have an antenna design that will pick up devices from multiple units over. Only tiny gotcha is the Pro doesn't support the PoE output of the ER-X, so if you get the Pro be sure to get the package with the included injector.

Another consideration is managing the Unifi AP. you can install the software on any PC/MAC/etc., but in my experience it's probably better to use a stand-alone device. The Unifi Cloudkey works fine, or you can install the software onto a Raspberry Pi. Installing to a virtual machine/container is another option.
 
What BlueLineSwinger said. Just get the AC-Pro. More than enough coverage for your apartment.

Now, you WILL have to configure both appliances. In order to get the best performance and use out of the available features, you are going to have to spend some time learning a little bit. It is like buying a nice $200k supercar. Just because you bought it doesn't mean you can whip that thing around a track and lightening speeds. You will need to do some learning and make sure it is configured correctly. Luckily, Ubiquiti gear has tons of YouTube videos out there that will help you with exactly that.
 
Oh, there's also the Unifi Security Gateway (USG). It's managed under the same Unifi controller/cloudkey interface as the APs. Hardware-wise I'm not sure how it stacks up relative to the ER-X, Lite, etc., and the software isn't quite as flexible as what the Edge series allows. But it's still probably better than what any consumer router will give you.

You may want to check out this recent thread.
 
You don't have to do that all at once assuming the ac1900 is working fine for your wired environment. Just get the AC Pro and go.
 
the ac1900 reboots a few times a day, its pretty much toast.

Think I decided on the ERX and a single AP-Pro for now.

For the AP Pro, Other than the -e version not coming with a power injector... is there any other diff?
 
Well thanks for the advise everyone. I picked up an EdgerouterX and a NanoHD AP. Took a while to get set up but it fully covers my 850sf apt. Almost getting a full 300Mbs over wifi now.
 
oMek said:
Well thanks for the advise everyone. I picked up an EdgerouterX and a NanoHD AP. Took a while to get set up but it fully covers my 850sf apt. Almost getting a full 300Mbs over wifi now.
Click to expand...
Good to hear. Glad you made the switch and are happy with it
 
BlueLineSwinger said:
Oh, there's also the Unifi Security Gateway (USG). It's managed under the same Unifi controller/cloudkey interface as the APs. Hardware-wise I'm not sure how it stacks up relative to the ER-X, Lite, etc., and the software isn't quite as flexible as what the Edge series allows. But it's still probably better than what any consumer router will give you.

You may want to check out this recent thread.
Click to expand...

USG and ER-X are the same hardware just one is managed directly via cli/web and the other is via the cloud controller/key.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top