Need input, new mesh & switch?

[u/Money_Selection1075]

Got an old TP-Link S4 system with 3 units, and wifi isn't very stable. The user interface is imo pretty shit, using only the app.. Constantly having issues opening ports aswell..

I want to upgrade, and wifi is not a priority as all important clients is on Ethernet.

I'm using a HP 2810-24g switch for ethernet connection, tho haven't configured it at all, but planning on it 🥇

Using 8 ports atm, but planning to add 2 PoE ip cameras in the future, so looking at getting a new PoE Switch with atleast 12 ports.

Please educate me, I need the ethernet ports, would love good port management tools, (wouldn't mind ethernet client management (teenagers complaining when 1 of them is downloading)).

What would you do?
Appreciate any input =)

[u/RealBlueCayman]

If you're looking to get into managing the network then you might want to look at what Ubiquiti has to offer. Most of the simpler solutions (like Eero) won't give you the specific controls you are mentioning. There are other ways to address them though. I use both products, but for different purposes. And both work really well from a performance standpoint.

If you truly need mesh (wifi connections between APs vs wired connections to all APs), then Eero will outshine others. However, if you can wire each AP, then that removes the need for mesh.

If you are considering Ubiquiti cameras, then Ubiquiti would be preferred. If you are looking at other brand's cameras, then you could use either.

As for performance, both are really good at managing that. Depending on your ISP connection, Ubiquiti has many options including 2.5, 10 and 25Gbps core connections. Alternatively, Eero's PoE Gateway is really good with (2) 10Gbps ports and (8) 2.5Gbps PoE ports. You can then connect those to other switches to expand your port needs.

When I'm using Eero's PoE Gateway, I have the ISP connection going into one of the 10Gbps ports. I have my (3) PoE APs and high-performance wired connections go into the (8) 2.5Gbps PoE ports. I use the second 10Gbps port to connect to an unmanaged gigabit PoE switch (Netgear GS316PP). Then I connect locations that don't really need more than 1Gbps connections. I have all of the options including SQM (https://eero.com/support/articles/what-is-smart-queue-management-sqm) turned on. UPnP is the only thing turned off. Eero is a great plug-and-play solution that manages the network for you.

When I'm using Ubiquiti, I'm using a UDM-SE with a USW 24 Pro Max PoE switch. It's a high performance solution, but also requires a bit of configuration work and network know-how to set it up properly.

So, it depends on how involved you want to get and budget. Ubiquiti can get up there in cost...more than Eero.

[u/Money_Selection1075 → u/RealBlueCayman]

Thank you for this <3
I should've said that I'm using 1GB fiber, and won't need anything above those speeds..
But for managing network, is Ubiquiti a safe bet for a novice user?

I have some products that needs WiFi, but all 3 AP's have ethernet available.

[u/RealBlueCayman → u/Money_Selection1075]

I also have 1Gbps fiber connections. (I have two...longer story)

Either product will work. With Ubiquiti, you will need some network knowledge to get it setup, maintain it and troubleshoot. If there is an issue, same goes for troubleshooting. If you really want to tinker with the network, then Ubiquiti is the way to go.

If, however, you want to do minimal configuration and just have it work for you, then Eero is the way to go.

For example, Eero learns your network and adjusts AP channels and signal strength automatically. You can set Ubiquiti to 'auto' but it's better if you fine tune Ubiquiti's setup. If you wanted to segregate your network beyond a main and guest network, for example have a separate IoT network or untrusted network, then Ubiquiti would be required. Eero only offers a main and guest network. The guest network is properly isolated from your main network.

You also mentioned the app. Eero only uses a mobile app to manage the network. It is well thought out and easy to use app. I use the app on an iPhone and iPad. Ubiquiti has an app and can be managed via a browser. Even with all of the configuration options Eero offers, the app is more than adequate. With Ubiquiti, there are so many configuration options, you really need to use the browser to truly get into the details.

Either way, having the APs wired is the way to go. No need for mesh.

[u/Money_Selection1075 → u/RealBlueCayman]

Alright, Thank you very much for this =) I think I will go the Ubiquiti way, and learn on the way =)

[u/Downtown-Reindeer-53 → u/Money_Selection1075]

There are plenty of good YT videos on UniFi (Ubiquiti is the company, UniFi is the product line.) Check out r/Ubiquiti and r/UNIFI for questions or help. Ubiquiti also has community web pages which can be helpful. Don't let the scope of questions and such make you think it's too complex for you - the product serves a wide range of user ability and as a typical home user you will not need to tweak much, it will pretty much work out of the box.