Home Networking Noob Questions.

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hello, I’m not completely new to networking but, I have a bunch of questions regarding setting up a home network.

My network currently consists of;

  • 3 PCs
  • 1 Server
  • 1 NAS
  • 1 TV
  • 2 Laptops
  • ~ Wireless Devices

I’m in Australia and have fiber to the premises and desperately need to get the PCs off wireless and have a more stable infrastructure. Nothing needs more than gigabit connection, just going for a reasonable price and stability for multiple users.

My plan is to go from the fiber in box > hEX S > CSS318-16G-2S+IN > anything that can be wired and use two wAP ax as a mesh. I’m thinking hEX S to the CSS318 to make use of the SFP+ port and wAP ax because it’s cheaper and faster than the hAP ax².

My questions are;

  • Will this work?
  • Any suggestions?
  • Is hEX S better than hEX refresh?
  • Is there a more appropriate mesh?
  • How has your day been?

Thanks in advance.

2

Allo, Allo


The HexS is a good Device and use it myself for a similar Setup with ~100Mbits internet.
In my Setup, I use the SFP-Interface to directly connect to the Fiber(ISP) without
the need for an additional Media-Converter and/or other ISP-Hardware.
Furthermore, you can activate Capsmans on the HexS to centrally manage my Wireless-AP’s

It is a nice Solution for a small and simple Network.


But depending on your WAN-Speeds, the HexS may be under powered…
Can you maybe provide some additional Information regarding the Fiber…
Q1: What kind of Internet Speeds are you expecting with your fiber in box ? (100Mb, 1000Mb, etc)
Q2: What kind of Connection is planned between fiber in box and the Router? (Fiber OM4, RJ45, etc..)

3

Sadly mikrotik doesn’t have what other manufacturers call “mesh”.
As in wireless linking either loses capsman on that interface (aka 5ghz for linking then you cant control 5ghz through capsman) or you use a cable for connecting the aps.

Other than that the ax aps support 802.11k/v/r which some manufacturers claim are a feature of “mesh”.

4

Forget hEX S as a router, only 16MB of storage and forthcoming ROS version are supposed not be able to be installed.

Go with:

  1. hEX refresh
  2. L009
  3. RB4011
  4. RB5009

My opinion is that 4011 is the best choice but if you can afford go with 5009.

5

The hex refresh is a more powerful device than the hex S. Given home network plans generally available in Australia I am not seeing a benefit from linking the router and switch with fibre.

Would an RB5009 have sufficient ports that you could dispense with the switch? It has SFP+ and a 2.5G port to handle any input speeds and another switch if you need it, and is for more powerful than a hex.