What network equipment to buy for home?

Question

Computer networks

Good afternoon.
I'm about to move to a new location. In a 2-room apartment, it is necessary to organize a network.
At the moment, the users are as follows:
1 - Personal computer with a DLNA server up
2 - Laptop
3 - Phones
4 - TV
5 - Tablets
6 - Set-top box
Now everything except the computer will be connected via Wi-Fi, but over time I will do repairs and I am going to transfer all stationary equipment to Ethernet. Plus, at least 2 more TVs will be added, and as a maximum, almost any equipment is now controlled via Wi-Fi. With the DLNA server, I have not yet decided what to do, but it will either be moved to a separate machine, or I will buy a NAS, or I will just need to plug the HDD into the router. I have not yet figured out which of the options will cope with the tasks for which this DLNA server is actually used, namely video playback on a TV and tablets (iOS). Plus, of course, I would like to be able to download movies while lying on the couch, and ideally, even outside the home. This, I also assume, requires the router to have certain functions. From the router, I need stable operation without cutting speed. You need a lot of ports, I don’t know if it’s better to buy a switch separately for these purposes or provide it in the router. What do you advise?
PS if there are any articles about how a home network is organized in the modern world, then give links, please. I didn’t google any good ones, but there is a possibility that I’m not aware of all the possible newfangled features.

Answer 1

you just need to plug the HDD into the router.

No need, it will be bullshit. NAS or separate media server.
In one place I have implemented this through HAP AC2 (Cool machine, cheap and angry) + switch.
On a larger scale, via RB3011 + HAP AC + HEX POE + WAP AC and CAP AC access points + a couple of cheap switches.
In any case, both there and there, wherever possible, a twisted pair cable is laid to the consumer.
It makes sense:
- determine the location of the router, make a heatmap to understand if it normally finishes everywhere. My hapac2 kopeck piece 55m covers well from the corner of it, but it may turn out that it’s not so for you, then either hang it in the center, or add a second access point controlled through Capsman.
- plan cables wherever possible, to important places - two at a time
- lay a couple of cables up to the shield, the second one will be spare or for connecting to the second provider, if suddenly there is a need later
- if you think of somehow getting optics into the apartment, lay the tube for it in advance so that you don’t hammer the wall later, but for now it’s not there - silence her.
- I don't like DLNA, it always had problems when working with several tracks / subs / brakes when rewinding, I haven't checked it for a long time, but I don't think that something has drastically changed there. This is personal, your experience may be different. I prefer to use iron players (normal china like minix\ugoos on s912 for ~10 kilorubles, connected by wire, KODI on it, video takes from NFS-balls from NAS - works fine).
This is easiest to implement through a NAS like Synology
- A UPS is desirable for the NAS

Answer 2

Router separately, media server separately. Take mikrotik hap ac2. If there are not enough wired ports, buy a cheap switch for 5/8/16 ports. Tip: everything that can be connected with a wire - connect with a wire.

Answer 3

I have similar conditions as you had, I solved the problem a year and a half ago. Everything that can be connected to 5ghz, I connected it. All wires are led through the ceiling above the stretch.
It was planned to connect TVs via a wire, since I use IPTV, but in the end I opted for 5ghz. Moreover, even the cables are led to the sockets by the TV, taking into account the TV itself and the set-top box.
Internet cable fits into dlink 820l, standard firmware.
From the dlink 820l, the cable goes a couple of floors up to a neighbor in his router. Everything works there, but there are few devices.
Also, Xiaomi mi router 3 with padavan firmware is connected to the next room with a cable. He communicates on AC1200 with a projector, with two poppies, several phones. + A conventional system unit is connected by wire. But with the next upgrade I will change the connection to wifi.
Xioami is responsible for torrents and DLNA, and generally copes.
Just keep an eye on which channel your devices are connected on, and how busy the air is, and use the network.
Regarding "Plus, of course, I would like to be able to download movies while lying on the couch, and ideally outside of the house in general.", I have KODI on the projector, searches for torrents and plays movies online. So look towards attachments.

Answer 4

I advise you to look at everything here KazTehEnergy