This topic of discussion feels better suited to /r/sysadmin or /r/DataHoarder but I'll let it slide.

Two separate topics:

1. You need a Local Area Network (LAN) to connect all of your computers together.
   
2. You need a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to provide shared storage for all of your projects.
   
   With project sizes of 100GB, Wireless Solutions are out of the question.
   Focus all of your attention on WIRED LAN solutions.
   
   You need a router, such as the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 4.
   
   And you need a half-way decent LAN switch such as the Ubiquity US-24
   
   Then you're going to need a NAS appliance.
   
   With a NAS solution, you MUST think in terms of RAID.
   
   One single physical hard disk with everyone's projects on it is a recipe for a data loss nightmare.
   You need redundant disks. AND you need a data backup solution.
   
   Redundant disks are NOT a backup solution.
   
   Say that out loud, right now.
   
   

   Redundant disks are NOT a backup solution.
   

   
   You need something like Carbonite or BackBlaze to copy all of your work projects up to a cloud storage provider.
   
   There are dozens of different backup solutions out there. Use your Google. Research those service offerings and find one that works for you.
   
   Synology is the most frequently recommended low to mid-range NAS solution.
   
   It's a pretty good product for the money.
   
   You need to identify just how much storage you require.
   
   Let's say you have 12 x Projects being worked on right now, and each project is 200GB of data. That's 2.4TB of storage.
   But you also want the past 50 projects available in the NAS. 50 x 200GB is 10TB.
   
   So, you need something in the 15TB of storage range, WITH REDUNDANCY.
   
   Western Digital Red drives are designed for use in NAS appliances (24x7 continuous operation in RAID arrays).
   
   https://www.wdc.com/products/business-internal-storage/wd-red-pro.html
   
   The more physical disks you use, the faster your I/O operations can be, since the workload will be spread across the physical drives.
   So we need to find the right balance of cost v/s performance.
   
   This Synology unit for example supports 8 physical disks.
   
   8 x 6TB = 48TB minus 12TB for parity data to create redundancy == 36TB of usable space.
   
   https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS1817+
   
   -----
   
   If you have further questions about the LAN solution, we can discuss it here.
   
   If you have further questions about the Synology or a similar storage solution, please start a new thread in a more appropriate community for assistance.
   
   We prefer to keep /r/networking focused on networking discussions.
   

I'm currently upgrading my own setup. What I decided on:

Ubiquity edge router 4

Ubiquity Unify AP-AC wifi access point

Not a cheap setup, but I'm done with high ping and weak wifi coverage.

Hard to say without knowing your requirements. Do you need to route at 1Gbps or more? Do you have a lot of client devices? Do you want something that can maintain a persistent VPN? Do you need something with IDS/IPS? Do you need SFP ports? Do you need something rackable? And so on and so on.

If you're just a general use homelabber and you don't mind giving up the single pane of glass management through the Unifi Controller application, there are a lot better ways to spend $300. If you're a Ubiquiti fan, you could get an Edgerouter 4 for a hundred bucks less. Mikrotik's routers get a lot of love in this sub and they're both performant and considerably less expensive.

There are tons of options, including just going DIY + pfsense.

I think you need more budget, maybe even a higher end solution than Ubiquiti for the router, PFsense or Untangle, which can do ad blocking without needing pi hole. If you stay with Ubiquiti, with that many devices the edgerouter 4 is their fastest router.

So this and 2 of these and I'll be golden? I just have a ton of shit in the house and now my wife wants a TV in the kitchen.. I think the microwave is like a faraday cage or something because the kitchen wifi is basically garbage

After watching a few videos and searching around I am leaning towards the EdgeRouter 4 now. What does everyone think about this device? It seems to be the newest technology and I do have the possibility of fiber to the router at some point.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078PGCGN2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_2nxPBbJHDP70R

> Would this be a better option for POE?
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-Managed-US-24-250W/dp/B00OJZUQ24/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=unifi+24+port+poe+switch+250w&qid=1567047431&s=gateway&sprefix=unifi+24+&sr=8-3

Yes, that is a good option if you are going to have a few PoE cameras as well as APs.

> Is this what you mean for the router

> https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-EdgeRouter-4-Port-Gigabit-ER-4-US/dp/B078PGCGN2

Yes

> If I buy two of these and the router above would it give me full wifi now until I have the opportunity to run the wire.

> https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=AC-LITE&qid=1567047624&s=gateway&sr=8-2

At least one AP must be wired. You can run the APs in wireless uplink mode if you need coverage but that is very slow compared to wired and much slower than a good mesh system like Orbi. If you are going to wire soon it is ok but it is not a good long term option.

> Do I need a cloud key for the APs or just the Switch?

You don't need the cloud key for anything. The cloud key is just a option to run the controller software. You can run it for free on any PC, server or on many NAS appliances.

Would this be a better option for POE?

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-Managed-US-24-250W/dp/B00OJZUQ24/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=unifi+24+port+poe+switch+250w&qid=1567047431&s=gateway&sprefix=unifi+24+&sr=8-3





Is this what you mean for the router

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-EdgeRouter-4-Port-Gigabit-ER-4-US/dp/B078PGCGN2


If I buy two of these and the router above would it give me full wifi now until I have the opportunity to run the wire.


https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Unifi-Ap-AC-Lite-UAPACLITEUS/dp/B015PR20GY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=AC-LITE&qid=1567047624&s=gateway&sr=8-2



Do I need a cloud key for the APs or just the Switch?

There are many factors to consider here. The rep is correct. Comcast has built their fastest speeds, 250 and above, on DOCSIS 3.1 backbone. So, the fact you are using a DOCSIS 3.0 modem/router combo 24/8 may affect your speeds. The DOCSIS 3.1 modems include a 32/8 DOCSIS 3.0 connection which supports high speeds as well. Just because the box claims to reach those speeds, doesn't mean the ISP will allow it.

The modem the representative is trying to lease to you is the XB6 which is a DOCSIS 3.1 modem/router combo. This will be the only way Comcast will attempt to spend more than a few seconds on troubleshooting your slow speeds. If you lease the modem, then Comcast can definitely say it is something on their system or wiring and will attempt to remedy the slow speeds.

I am on the Extreme Pro 400 and I use the Arris SB8200 and get between 415 Mbps and 430 Mbps, hardwired. Also, I am using a Ubiquiti ER-4 for my routing. I linked both items I use.

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-Approved-SB8200-Frustration/dp/B07DY16W2Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1KXOCPAT1SECS&keywords=docsis+3.1+modem&qid=1567040076&s=electronics&sprefix=docsis+%2Celectronics%2C166&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-ER-4-EdgeRouter-4/dp/B078PGCGN2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=er-4&qid=1567040382&s=electronics&sr=1-1

​

Disclaimer: This post is my own opinion. It cannot be considered or construed as an official response from Comcast.

>I recently moved to a new home and now have gigE internet service. Unfortunately, my old router and WAP can't handle the speed (Wireless-N Airport Extreme). To fix this, I about a TP-Link Archer C7, and I'm still not seeing the speeds that I want, but I'm still not happy with my performance.

Awesome. You made my shitlist of people I'm jealous of. lol Except that extreme router. lol


>When I connect the modem directly to my computer, I'm seeing 980 Mbps.


Seems about right.

>When the Aiport Extreme

Gonna stop you right there. Throw that thing away and bury it at a crossroads at midnight.

>and separate gigabit switch are involved, I'm seeing about 250 Mbps,

Exactly.

>and with the Archer C7 and gigabit switch, I'm seeing about 780 Mbps down.

rubs eyes How is that possible?


>So, I'm looking to take the Archer C7 back

Good!

>in favor of a USG and Unifi WAP. On average, what speeds should I expect from a USG?

I know I'm gatekeeping lol but it's A.P. The wireless is implied. This is where the questions start however.

1. What sort of modem do you have?
   
2. Does your ISP support direct fiber hand-off?
   
3. What sort of budget are you playing with?
   
   >I need 1300 square feet of WiFi coverage.
   
   You need unifi mesh to make things less labor intense. That or two unifi AC pros for solid coverage. You can get away with one (placed in the center most part of your home) if you absolutely had to do without.
   
   
   You'll also need the following:
   
   
4. 10Gtek for Ubiquiti SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cable x 2 (you can return the second one later
   
5. Unifi Key
   
6. Ubiquiti SFP Module
   
   
   
   
   The concept is. You either buy a Ubiquiti Edge Router 4 / a Unifi Security Gateway with an SFP WAN. and have the ISP give you a direct fiber hand off and use one of the copper GTEK SFP patch cables to patch you over to a unifi / ubiquiti switch (please make sure this is either POE / not). This is a cost consideration. Hook your AP to the boona end of the switch and presto blamo you have just shy of a 1 gig internet access internally.
   
   
   Good luck! Comment if you have any questions.