For $1000 you can buy many high quality "regular" APs. That will provide far more connectivity and coverage than any single "super" WIFI source.At just over USD1000 this is expensive, but is it good? I need something super stable that can handle lots of family devices and has a good range. Wi-Fi 6 sounds good to me, but is it?
I have no idea. That is out of my price range. If you haven't looked at it, I would recommend looking at Ubiquiti UniFI. APs are about $200 each. I wouldn't recommend more than 30 devices per AP in most situations.I already had top of the range Amped and Asus 5 years ago. I need about 5 APs and prepared to spend around US$1000 per router. Are there other good choices?
Can't do this as I live overseas. My CISCO small business router and 24 port switch have been good as gold and these are the two things I want to keep. Will take a look at their AP range.If you actually have that kind of money to spend call up a cisco partner and have them come out and design something for you. Many of their 802.11ax device are well under $1000 and these prices include the cost of having the sales guys commission so you might as use it since you pay for even if you buy in the grey market.
If you were to go down the Ruckus route the R500 APs have a secondary ethernet port on the rear, these can be vlan tagged> The ZD will allow full roaming between APs, Band steering and load balancing (between APs). I believe the ZD1100 or 1200 are still quite cheap to pick up and come bundles with a minimum 6 AP license.Plus having thought more on this I really want an AP than also has some Ethernet out sockets (i.e. they have a built in switch). Can't seem to find a list of good ones online. Thanks for any suggestions.
If you were to go down the Ruckus route the R500 APs have a secondary ethernet port on the rear, these can be vlan tagged> The ZD will allow full roaming between APs, Band steering and load balancing (between APs). I believe the ZD1100 or 1200 are still quite cheap to pick up and come bundles with a minimum 6 AP license.
Yes to the router, The ZD just requires a connection on your LAN (Switch port), it has a default IP for the config pages, once up and running just connect the APs (PoE from a switch is easier) and adopt them on the control, they will automatically update their own firmware.Nigel it sounds like my once adequate knowledge of home networking is hopelessly out of date and this is extremely helpful info for me. Thank you very much.
A really stupid question if I may - if I go the Ruckus Zone director and Ruckus APs, can I still keep my existing Cisco small business router? And can the zone director be connected to any of the ethernet ports on my 24 port Ethernet switch? Many thanks, Peter
Maybe buying used end-of-life equipment is acceptable. But you can't usually buy the subscription required to update the ZD1100. You have to have a Ruckus login just to SEE the EOL notice. I dislike a company that requires a login to see basic info like EOL dates.If you were to go down the Ruckus route the R500 APs have a secondary ethernet port on the rear, these can be vlan tagged> The ZD will allow full roaming between APs, Band steering and load balancing (between APs). I believe the ZD1100 or 1200 are still quite cheap to pick up and come bundles with a minimum 6 AP license.
Thanks again - all very helpful. I have a 24 port Cisco small business switch in my basement with long Cat 6 cabling runs to Ethernet sockets around my 3 level house, plus a Cat 6 running to an external building. This won't support POE. I don't want to bother with PoE injectors and so will all of this set up work without PoE? Not an expert on PoE but I don't think I can just replace my switch with a PoE switch in this situation.Yes to the router, The ZD just requires a connection on your LAN (Switch port), it has a default IP for the config pages, once up and running just connect the APs (PoE from a switch is easier) and adopt them on the control, they will automatically update their own firmware.
You will require either PoE ports on your switch, PoE injectors or AC adapters for each AP, they will need power from somewhere!! How many Aps do you think you need?Thanks again - all very helpful. I have a 24 port Cisco small business switch in my basement with long Cat 6 cabling runs to Ethernet sockets around my 3 level house, plus a Cat 6 running to an external building. This won't support POE. I don't want to bother with PoE injectors and so will all of this set up work without PoE? Not an expert on PoE but I don't think I can just replace my switch with a PoE switch in this situation.
The login required for the firmware is just a case of signing up. The only reason these are considered EOL is because they want you to move to their managed smart zone cloud director instead of stand alone local appliance.Maybe buying used end-of-life equipment is acceptable. But you can't usually buy the subscription required to update the ZD1100. You have to have a Ruckus login just to SEE the EOL notice. I dislike a company that requires a login to see basic info like EOL dates.
AC adapter is no problem and this is what I use now. All my APs currently have regular ethernet plus AC power. Probably around 5 APs with possibly 1 or 2 outdoors repeaters (I like the Orbi ones) so I can reach faraway IP cams.You will require either PoE ports on your switch, PoE injectors or AC adapters for each AP, they will need power from somewhere!! How many Aps do you think you need?