StoopidMonkey81
New Around Here
Hi,
I am going to be buying my first townhouse in a couple months and I'm designing my home network in advance so I can wire the place up before the furniture arrives. Since I am opting for a FiOS TV/Internet/Phone bundle I am locked into using their supplied Actiontec router as the primary gateway between my ethernet & coax (set top boxes) networks and the internet. However, I intend on turning off the subpar wireless transmitter and install my own WAPs throughout the house as well as some Cat 6 lines which all would go to an unmanaged gigabit ethernet switch (if I do need to go managed or "Smart", let me know and why).
My current roadblock is deciding which WAP to go with. I can't afford business class PoE WAPs that cost $300+/ea yet the consumer level WAPs that I've seen from Linksys and Netgear seem like underwhelming afterthoughts compared to what their routers offer. So now I'm not even sure if I should purchase a WAP-only device or purchase a router (with its better antenna array) and set it up so that it only acts as an access point. I'll need 3 of them, one for each level of the townhouse so the signal strength doesn't have to be enormous, just strong enough to connect at (near) top speeds throughout the floor with little lag. That said, I could use some recommendations, both in terms of whether I choose a router that I configure as an access point or just a straight up access point, and in terms of brand and model. If there is anything I can answer to help you help me, just ask!
Thanks!
I am going to be buying my first townhouse in a couple months and I'm designing my home network in advance so I can wire the place up before the furniture arrives. Since I am opting for a FiOS TV/Internet/Phone bundle I am locked into using their supplied Actiontec router as the primary gateway between my ethernet & coax (set top boxes) networks and the internet. However, I intend on turning off the subpar wireless transmitter and install my own WAPs throughout the house as well as some Cat 6 lines which all would go to an unmanaged gigabit ethernet switch (if I do need to go managed or "Smart", let me know and why).
My current roadblock is deciding which WAP to go with. I can't afford business class PoE WAPs that cost $300+/ea yet the consumer level WAPs that I've seen from Linksys and Netgear seem like underwhelming afterthoughts compared to what their routers offer. So now I'm not even sure if I should purchase a WAP-only device or purchase a router (with its better antenna array) and set it up so that it only acts as an access point. I'll need 3 of them, one for each level of the townhouse so the signal strength doesn't have to be enormous, just strong enough to connect at (near) top speeds throughout the floor with little lag. That said, I could use some recommendations, both in terms of whether I choose a router that I configure as an access point or just a straight up access point, and in terms of brand and model. If there is anything I can answer to help you help me, just ask!
Thanks!