New Home Network Recommendations

[madcar86]

My father is building a new home and I want to start planning his network soon. I have built my own home network out of old cheap routers that I install DDWRT on, so I have minimal experience. But with my fathers home, I would like to get quality equipment and build the network right from the start to avoid future issues. I am not up to date with current network tech since I have built my network from older routers. I have two main issues that I need help with.

1. 3 buildings to network: We have 3 builds on the land we would like to link all onto the same network. Build B is about 350 meters from the new home(Build A). Building C is about 150 meters away from Build A. I was looking at doing a directional antenna. Not sure if this is the right way to go. I am guessing running cable would be too costly. If so I need recommendations for long range antennas.

2. New Home Network Equipment. I need recommendations on what equipment to get. I would like to run DDWRT on my routers. I am looking at the Linksys WRT1900AC currently, but it doesnt support DDWRT just yet. Not sure if I should get it or something else. I also looked at the Netgear Nighthawk R7000.

Right now I have planned the following:
Basement Modem -> Router (Gateway) -> Switch -> Wired to rest of house, plus Wireless Router in the middle of the house. And add APs where WiFi gets weak. Also there would be security cameras that need to be on the network.

I need recommendations for the two Routers and the Switch. Future proof where possible. And most bang for the buck. POE would be nice but not necessary.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

The specific routers ad switches do not matter. Given proper wiring and termination, they can be easily swapped out.

For a new house, what you need to consider is the stuff inside the walls, and where you want the primary WiFi source.

Main WiFi source in the middle of the house.
Wires (Cat5e or Cat6) in conduits through the walls.

For your outbuildings, a lot depends on the terrain. Any trees etc in the way?

 

[madcar86]

First thanks for responding. I appreciate the help. I want to run CAT6 since it will be the most future proof. We are planning on run wire to most of the house. Luckily the drywall still isn't up so we have full access to the inside wall. I am betting I will need either a large switch are several small switches.

For Wifi, there is an office closet that is pretty close to the center of the house, so I was think of putting it in there. Do recommend any router over another, I was thinking Linksys WRT1900 or Netgear Nightahawk R7000 and put DDWRT on them.

We are in the GA so there are a lot of pine trees. Between Building A and B there are trees but I think I can cut a line of sight if needed. Building A and C have no trees. There is a "phone pole" between A and C, I was thinking of putting the antennae up there to face Building B. Then run cable back to Build A and maybe over to Building C too. I tried to draw it out below.