Network Setup Recommendation - Router, APs, CCTV

Frosty17 on 15/10/2024 - 11:16
Last edited 15/10/2024 - 11:49 by 2 other users

Am about to wire the house for a couple of switches, APs and CCTV, and wondering if anyone has good recommendations for a general setup? I'm not married to staying within a single brand. Unifi does look good, but they are pretty exxy and i'm seeing a lot of cheaper options, but apparently the experience with unifi being all in one is pretty good…

On a 1000/50 FTTP plan currently. Rocking a TP-Link AX20 for the interim.

Will be looking at:

  • Router
  • 2 x switches (with POE)
  • 3 x APs
  • 3 x cameras (and then a controller to manage them)
Computing Network Switch Router Security Camera Security System Wireless Access Point

Comments

  • geekcohen on 15/10/2024 - 11:31
    +1

    I recommend using Ubiquiti/UniFi for networking and Reolink for cameras.

    There's some discussion on the topic here regarding Ubiquiti options. While it can be a bit pricey, there are often good deals if you shop around. You don’t necessarily need to go all out with a Dream Machine, although it’s a great option.

    Personally, I love my Ubiquiti setup. I started with a mix of different brands, but after expanding my system over the past year, I’ve now switched entirely to Ubiquiti, and it’s been fantastic.

    For cameras, Reolink is a favorite on OzBargain. There are often excellent deals available, and I recently upgraded my system to all Reolink cameras—I’m really happy with the results.

    • odgregg on 15/10/2024 - 11:53
      +2

      I'd also recommend Unifi and Reolink.

      Currently using:
      - Dream Router
      - 3xUnifi switches
      - 3xUnifi APs
      - Reolink NVR, 3 Reolink cameras and the Reolink doorbell

      They are both great systems, and the Reolink cameras offer a lot of choice and value compared to the Ubiquiti cameras.

      I am thinking of switching to the Unifi Cloud Gateway Max instead of the Dream Router however (and maybe getting a Wifi 6/7 AP as my other 3 APs don't support Wifi 6+)

      • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 14:52

        Thanks - yes am considering the Cloud Gateway Max as well. What NVR do you use with your Reolink cameras? The Unifi cameras are crazy expensive. BUt with the recent 3rd party app thing being allowed for non-UNifi cameras, I am considering Reolink or others.

    • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 14:53

      Thanks, seems like this is likely the option I'll go with. What unifi and Reolink gear do you use?

  • EspadaV8 on 15/10/2024 - 11:45
    +3

    I'm setting something similar up right now. I already had some Unifi gear, but have decided to go with the following, all new, Omada gear

    • Software Omada controller (running in docker on my NAS)
    • 3 (soon to be 5 or 6) EAP655-wall (one in nearly every room)
    • SG3428XMPP Switch (only 1Gb ports, would like 2.5Gb)

    That will be replacing my current Unifi APs and the 8 port POE switch I have.

    I'll be staying with Unifi for cameras/NVR though;

    • Cloud Key Gen 2+ (existing)
    • Unifi Gateway (existing)
    • 2x G3 dome (existing)
    • 1x G3 bullet (existing)
    • G4 Doorbell pro PoE kit (new)

    I went with this because I haven't used Omada before and didn't want to spend too much without testing it a bit first.

    Sticking with Unifi for the cameras because there isn't really anything on the Omada side of things that can replicate it. If they did, I'd probably try their things first. The doorbell cost nearly as much as all the Omada APs.

    At some point I might look at getting the Omada router, and a hardware controller (OC300, I have been advised by nearly everyone to completely avoid the OC200).

  • djsweet on 15/10/2024 - 11:47

    Dream machine SE is a possible all in one option. Built in NVR with POE ports.
    Can manage APs and cameras all from one device.

    • geekcohen on 15/10/2024 - 12:02

      Only annoying thing is that the Ubiquiti Cameras are a bit expensive and you need the 60GHz PtP links if you want to stream/have cameras in other buildings.

      • djsweet on 15/10/2024 - 12:07

        Expensive, yes. I guess thats the biggest blocker for most people. Seems like objectively the easiest and best solution if price is no obstacle. But I understand you gotta save $$$ sometimes

        • geekcohen on 15/10/2024 - 13:14

          I would have gone Ubiquiti for my cameras (since I have a Dream Machine Pro) but it was the cost, small variety of cameras that are available and the fact that they won't work over my existing PtP Nanostations. Yet Reolink do.

    • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 14:57

      Thanks. Any reason to pick the UDM SE over the Cloud Gateway Max?

      • djsweet on 16/10/2024 - 15:08

        You won’t be able to manage 3 cams and 3 aps without extra switching. Also does it have POE?

        • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 15:15

          I don't think so, I'd have to get a POE switch. The cost of getting the SE might be close to the gateway max + POE switches. I'll need to run the figures.

  • Bruceflix on 15/10/2024 - 12:16
    +2

    I'm using UDM Pro for router and U6-Pro AP and TP-Link switches.If your OCD demands your cabinet to look impressive be best to stick with with Unifi devices but I see no need to pay the premium when other brands will achieve the same result.

    Reolink for cameras. Frigate NVR

    • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 15:12

      Thanks!
      Which cameras are you running?

      • Bruceflix on 16/10/2024 - 15:18

        Reolink 520A

  • jizmo on 15/10/2024 - 13:44
    +2

    Run a VLAN with firewall rules that they can't connect to your home network.
    I run OPNsense router, a layer2 switch with Dahua cameras and 90W POE injectors with poe unmanaged switches.
    The cameras with LED motion sensing lights really bork people when they come on, spend the extra money

    • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 15:13

      Thanks!

  • rumblytangara on 15/10/2024 - 14:36
    +1

    Years ago I had Ubuquiti, and ended up moving to separates. Because I like tinkering, I had a lot of hardware and software failures with Unifi, got tired of their constant and unreliable Controller changs, and I wanted build build out my own CCTV system that wasn't locked into one expensive vendor.

    Ended up with pfSense/OPNSense (which integrates Adguard) and a bunch of ex-enterprise APs so I have 2 interfaces to configure (one for internet, one for my internal Wifi) instead of one integrated one. I never liked the Unfi interface anyway and was happy to move away from it.

    If wanted to do do it simple, I'd probably just get some Asus routers.

    For a camera system, it was Blue Iris with VPN access. That meant I could use any brand camera without being locked into one expensive camera vendor, and it was far more secure than using standard internet facing cameras.

    • Frosty17 on 16/10/2024 - 15:18

      Thanks. What do you run Blue Iris on?

      And any ASUS recommendations? I'm still debating whether to just go the Asus router + unmanaged switches + APs, or an all in one system like Unifi. Other option is Omada, and then just get Reolink cameras + NVR.

      • rumblytangara on 16/10/2024 - 15:56
        +1

        Blue Iris used to run on my home server. Standard HP Microserver.

        Asus- no specific recommendations. It's all in the firmware anyway, you can run AiMesh on lots of different models.

  • OldSchoolHarry on 15/10/2024 - 21:42

    You can get TP Link Festa setup that offer Unifi like interface but runs a cloud based controller only. It has been working really well for last couple months.
    And for the cameras, Reolink is your best bang for buck option.

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