Best products from r/googlefiber

If you can run a cat5 cable to where the other box is, I’d say to turn off google WiFi and buy 2 (or more) of these Ubiquiti access points:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY/ref=asc_df_B015PR20GY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198138936631&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11706054629834333903&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009674&hvtargid=pla-381252494348&psc=1

You’ll still need the firewall/NAT/routing that the google network box provides, but if you run your own WiFi, you can have as many access points as you like and put them all over your house. The Ubiquiti access points allow you to broadcast a single SSID (WiFi name) that your phone/Roku/whatever will pick the strongest one and use that.

If you can’t physically run cat5 Ethernet wires to the location you want the WiFi transmitters, you can accomplish the same thing if you get a few of those “mesh” WiFi access points. I use Ubiquiti gear (wired), but I’be heard good things about Eero’s mesh networking equipment. Basically instead of wires, they wirelessly figure out the uplink back to the router (where you have one of the mesh devices plugged into Ethernet). I find the wired solution to be better for my setup (more reliable), but I’ve heard the mesh networking is pretty good as well.

Out of every "home/consumer" router I've tried, I really haven't found anything with better range than the AC3100/RT-AC88U.

ASUS routers are traditionally very good, and this one is no exception.

I wanted a little more enterprise-ish control over my network, so I've since switched to a PCEngines APU running pfsense and 2 Unifi AP Pros, but for an out-of-the-box solution, I haven't really found anything better. Just keep in mind, you'll still need the network box when you use something like this. Put the router into the Network Box's DMZ and then you'll just control everything from the router.

It also supports AI-Mesh, which lets you buy another ASUS router and transform the network into a Mesh network, which should give you more seamless coverage/speed while using a multi-device setup.

Three options.

the first/PCIe one is the cleanest as the device will live in the computer and make the desktop act like a laptop in respect to how wireless networks function.

• wireless ac via PCIe
  
• wireless ac via PCIe
  
  The second/USB one is pretty much the same but will have less performance due to antenna diversity and the USB interface.
  
  
• Wireless ac via USB
  
• Wireless ac via USB
  
  
  The third/router is probably the most ideal as it will allow the computer to continue using the onboard ethernet, and give you additional ports to plug other things into. It does have the complexity of having to switch the router into bridge/client mode, but that isn't very hard.
  
  
• Router in bridge mode
  
  As of now the OnHub/GF equipment doesn't interop directly. They are separate business units, and operate independently. It's possible they will integrate in the future but as of now they are on distinct paths from each other.

Ok, cool. This same thing can be done with this switch: http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Prosafe-Gs108Tv2-8-Port-Gigabit/dp/B003GOFIC2

Or one that has similar capabilities (vlans, CoS and etc). If you go that route you can use pretty much any high-end router you want. Currently i have a special vlan setup on my 48 port Nortel managed switch at home and use pfsense as my router. The Edgerouter's were just meant to make it easier and have a drop-in replacement for less tech-savvy people.

If wireless turns out to be a flakey solution your wife might find it acceptable if you use a small paintable, plastic raceway to hide a cord for the TV. We used this one in my mom's 1890's house, https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0015EA3P2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It looks like it's part of the baseboard so isn't noticeable and it was super easy to install.

I've got the Unifi AP's too. (this one specifically).

They're freaking awesome. They aren't quite as fast as maybe Netgear's higher end Nighthawks, but in larger homes, it is the ideal setup for adding multiple access points. If you have a smaller apartment, I think you could do about as well with the Nighthawk. (I used to have the 3200 before switching to Ubiquiti Unifi).

That said, Unifi is a bit more 'enterprise'. A novice could probably get one up and running by following directions closely, but it's not the AP I'd tell my dad to go out and buy.

And, noticed this is a month old..... do you have everything up and running decently?

This is the wifi adapter I got for my desktop when I moved into my apartment with Fiber. Link

It does a pretty good job considering. I live in a 1400sqft apartment and the fiber box is in my dining room and my desktop is in the office is on the other side of the apartment. I get like 300-400 down usually.
I've also found success in splitting off the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. The 5Ghz band is a lot weaker but I still like to connect to it because I get so much faster speeds.

I'm not sure how much a place would charge for this. If you feel capable of running a line inside the wall you could do it yourself. You would need:

The wall jacks. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Ethernet-Jacks-Keystone-Plate/dp/B000X0UJSU

A punchdown tool, like this: https://www.amazon.com/InstallerParts-Adjustable-Impact-Punch-Blade/dp/B008NXK3GC/

Then you get like 100ft cable or however long you need, fish it through the wall, plug one end in the router, and cut off the other end and punch it down into the jack.

edit: there are some photos on this guys walkthrough: https://www.handymanhowto.com/how-to-install-an-ethernet-jack-for-a-home-network/

I've used a few different versions of ethernet over power adapters. There's good stuff out there, and there's really bad stuff. There are a LOT of variables that will affect your bandwidth when carrying data on your powerlines. They're basically good for adding a consistent wired ethernet connection in a pinch, at the expense of bandwidth. I used two pairs of them in my house before wiring it all up for Google Fiber. I averaged ~60Mbit from my upstairs office room where the router was, down to my basement where the TV/HTPC is.

The Extollo LanSocket 1500 is by far the most well-designed and best all-around EoP adapter out there. The rest don't really allow you to use the other socket on your wall plate.

http://www.amazon.com/Extollo-LANSocket-1500-Powerline-HomePlug/dp/B00Y3XRRI8

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Orbi-Whole-Home-System/dp/B01K4CZOBS/ref=sr_1_9?crid=27UACTZBPFM5T&keywords=wifi%2B6%2Brouter&qid=1565288051&s=gateway&sprefix=wifi%2B6%2B%2Caps%2C636&sr=8-9&th=1

Would something like this be better? 2500 sq ft house not including the basement. Looking for more range and better wifi speeds.

If you are talking about eero Home WiFi System (1 eero Pro + 1 eero Beacon) - Advanced Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System to Replace Traditional Routers and WiFi Ranger Extenders - Coverage: 1 to 2 Bedroom Home https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HHK2PN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XKzEDbH9KNE8V , yes, that's too expensive. I am okay with something under $100

Why not try powerline network adapters? Something like TP-Link AV1000 1-Port Gigabit Powerline Adapter, Powerline speeds Up to 1000Mbps (TL-PA7010 KIT). These adapters will use the house electrical wiring to extend the Ethernet network from your network box upstairs to the PC downstairs.