Growing up, I followed Linus as he crafted his impressive home network setup, alongside other influencers like NetworkChuck, MKBHD, and Snazzy Labs. I avidly browsed setup pictures on various forums, nurturing a longstanding desire to create my own. However, residing in a developing country presented formidable challenges. The high cost of professional-grade equipment, often top-of-the-line, posed a significant barrier. Even if one managed to obtain these tools, our home internet connection lacked the bandwidth to fully unleash their potential. Fortunately, times are changing. The enthusiasm for network setups is on the rise, with more people venturing into diverse configurations. In urban areas, high-speed internet connections, reaching several hundred megabits per second, are readily available for those willing to invest. It took me several years to bring my current setup to fruition, collecting each piece of equipment one by one.
List of equipment I used:
Mikrotik hEX S Routerboard(RB760iGS)
Netgear GS116LP 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE/PoE+ Switch
Cambium cnPilot e410 Wi-Fi 5 Indoor Access Point
Huawei Mobile Wifi E5577
Ugreen Cat7 Cables
Uniross 650VA UPS
Mikrotik hEX S Routerboard(RB760iGS)
This powerful router has a bunch of cool features that make it a great investment.
First off, it's got impressive specs with a dual-core 880 MHz CPU and 256 MB RAM. This means it can handle all sorts of advanced setups supported by RouterOS. So, you can tweak and optimize your network settings to fit your needs.
It's also super versatile, having 5x Gigabit Ethernet ports, an SFP port, a USB 2.0 port, and a microSD slot. This lets you connect lots of devices and add more storage space, making it perfect for home or office use.
And when it comes to security, the MikroTik hEX S is top-notch. It's got certifications like RouterOS L4 and IPsec hardware encryption support, ensuring your network is safe from potential threats.
Specifications:
| Architecture | MMIPS |
| CPU | MT7621A |
| CPU Core Count | 2 |
| CPU Nominal Frequency | 880 MHz |
| CPU Thread Count | 4 |
| License Level | 4 |
| Operating System | Router OS |
| RAM | 256 MB |
| Storage Size | 16 MB |
| Storage Type | Flash |
| Tested Ambient Temperature | -40°C to 70°C |
Netgear GS116LP 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE/PoE+ Switch
This is an unmanaged PoE switch, allowing you to connect compatible Power over Ethernet devices and provide both power and data communication. This eliminates the need for separate power cords when connecting devices like access points, cameras, smart TVs, and more. While it excels in performance without any noticeable issues, it's important to note that being an unmanaged switch means you can't configure VLANs or segment the network in any way. Essentially, it functions as a straightforward switch delivering data and power across all connected ports, which is suitable for a small home environment like mine.
You can find detailed specifications here.
Cambium cnPilot e410 Wi-Fi 5 Indoor Access Point
To be completely honest, I was unfamiliar with Cambium. My knowledge of access points was limited to Unify and a few others I came across in videos. When I began searching for an access point, I was taken aback by the high prices—quite a shock to the system. However, as I delved into the marketplace, I stumbled upon a fantastic deal for it. It has everything I was looking for, and I'm quite pleased with my find.
You can find detailed specifications here.
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Max PHY Rate | 2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps 5 GHz: 867 Mbps |
| Ethernet | One IEEE Gigabit Ethernet auto-sensing |
| Antenna | Internal omnidirectional 2.4 GHz: 5.24 dBi 5 GHz: 5.47 dBi |
| WLAN | 256 clients, 32 SSIDs (16 per radio) WPA-TKIP, WPA2 AES, 802.1x, 802.11w PMF |
| Power | 802.3af powered device Typical load: 9 W, Max: 11.5 W |
Huawei Mobile Wifi E5577
While LTE wasn't initially on my radar, a particular incident prompted me to reconsider, leading me to incorporate LTE into my network as a backup. You can find more details about the incident by following this link. The LTE device I chose is a no-frills 4G-supported Cat 4 device. Despite not being the fastest, our LTE network doesn't even approach its limit of 150 Mbps DL/50 Mbps UL. Moreover, it seamlessly integrates with my MikroTik router, connecting via a micro USB through the available USB port. This redundancy significantly enhances the reliability of my network.
Equipped with a 3000mAh battery, it can generate WiFi at 2.4GHz and support up to 16 WiFi devices when used as a standalone unit.
Ugreen Cat7 Cables
I previously had a mix of Cat 5e/6 cables, but I decided it was time to switch to a more modern and capable option. The array of Ethernet cable choices hasn't become any less complex over the years. In my search for an affordable and future-proof cable, I discovered that Ugreen Cat7 fits the bill. It boasts a bandwidth support of up to 600MHz and can transmit data at speeds of up to 10Gbps. Additionally, I was impressed by the connector design. I purchased them from both AliExpress and a local vendor, securing a great deal.
Uniross 650VA UPS
It's a budget-friendly purchase I made a couple of years ago, and it's been running continuously. I replaced its battery once. The maximum capacity is 650VA/360W with a 12V 7.2AH battery.
Here's an estimate of my network's power consumption:
Mikrotik hEX S Routerboard (RB760iGS): 6W
Netgear GS116LP 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE/PoE+ Switch: 2.68W
Cambium cnPilot e410 Wi-Fi 5 Indoor Access Point: 11.5W
ISP provided ONU: 5W
Total: 20.18W
Considering all factors, it should provide approximately an hour of backup. While I acknowledge it's not a significant duration, power outages in Dhaka are generally infrequent. It should be sufficient for now, but I plan to upgrade it in the future. For the time being, it meets my needs.
My Network Diagram
I use a fiber optic connection that runs into an ONU (Gigabit) provided by my ISP. The ONU has an Ethernet port, and from there, a Cat7 cable connects to my main MikroTik router, serving as my primary internet source. Additionally, I have a Huawei mobile WiFi unit for LTE backup, linked to my MikroTik router via a micro USB cable. In case my main internet goes down, LTE kicks in as a backup, ensuring I stay connected. While LTE isn't as fast as my fiber optic connection, it still gets the job done.
From my main router, a Cat7 cable extends to my Netgear switch, providing internet to all my devices. My access point is powered and connected through POE, catering to all my mobile and wireless devices. I also have wired clients like my PC and Raspberry Pi, which I use for various network projects. Looking ahead, I plan to connect more clients, and having 16 ports on the switch gives me plenty of room for expansion.
I'd like to mention that there might be better options and combinations available, but my choice of equipment is based on availability and also a consideration for a good deal. I'm genuinely pleased with the results. What I envisioned from an earlier age has finally come to fruition, and I enjoyed the hands-on experience configuring each of these components. I plan to document the configurations in the future. For now, I'll consider this project complete and move on to other interesting projects I've been holding onto for a long time.
