[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":11},["ShallowReactive",2],{"content:\u002F2023\u002F08-14-smart-home-routing":3},{"path":4,"title":5,"short":6,"date":7,"image":8,"noindex":9,"html":10},"\u002F2023\u002F08-14-smart-home-routing","My Home Network and Wi-Fi Setup","A look at my home network and Wi-Fi setup. Learn about the hardware and software I use, and how I have it set up.","2023-08-14T15:10:00+02:00","\u002Fcontent\u002F2023\u002F08-14-smart-home-routing\u002Frouter.webp",false,"\u003Cp>In this article, I will share how I have set up my home network and Wi-Fi. While many people use the router provided by their ISP, I have found that this is not always the best option, especially if you want a more advanced setup. I will go over what I use and how I have it set up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>The Router\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>I currently use the R86S box, which I bought directly from GOWIN. Specifically, I use the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aliexpress.com\u002Fi\u002F1005005548232929.html?gatewayAdapt=Msite2Pc\">\u003Ccode>GW-R86S-T2\u003C\u002Fcode>\u003C\u002Fa> model. It has enough memory for everything, although I also got a 1TB supplemental SSD for additional storage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am using Proxmox as the host operating system, as it allows me to use the same machine for more than just routing. I went with OpenWRT running as a guest, but I installed it directly on internal MMC storage and used PCI passthrough for the first two ports. This should allow me to boot to OpenWRT even if Proxmox is corrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first port is connected to my ISP's GPON ONT, and the second one is connected to a cheap unmanaged TP-Link switch, which is connected to my home network. There is also a virtual Ethernet link provided by Proxmox to provide network to other Proxmox guests. The virtual port and second physical port are bridged in OpenWRT, so I can use the same network for both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>OpenWRT is also responsible for managing the Wireguard mesh network, which I will write about in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>The WI-FI\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>After experiencing poor wireless network stability and performance with my previous consumer router, I decided to switch to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feu.store.ui.com\u002Feu\u002Fen\u002Fpro\u002Fcategory\u002Fwifi-flagship\u002Fproducts\u002Fu6-lite\">Ubiquiti Unifi AP U6-Lite\u003C\u002Fa>. This access point is connected to my network switch and powered by a PoE injector (although I would prefer a PoE switch). To manage the access point, I use the Unifi Controller hosted on Proxmox as a container. With just a single access point, I am able to provide reliable coverage for my entire apartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>The DNS\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>I am dedicating a separate section to DNS because it is an important aspect of my home network setup. I use Pi-Hole, which runs in a container, as my DNS server. Pi-Hole provides ad-blocking and allows me to create private DNS entries for my private services. To ensure that all devices on my network use Pi-Hole as their DNS server, I have set my router's DHCP to provide Pi-Hole as the default DNS server. I also use conditional forwarding to allow Pi-Hole to resolve local hostnames. Additionally, I have manually configured my Wireguard clients to use Pi-Hole as their DNS server, so I can enjoy its benefits even when I am not at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>The Proxmox\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Proxmox is my host operating system, which enables me to run multiple virtual machines and containers on the same machine. I have set up several containers for different purposes, including one for Unifi Controller, one for Pi-Hole, one for Home Assistant, and one for OpenWRT. Additionally, I have a virtual machine dedicated to my development needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Conclusion\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Setting up a home network and Wi-Fi can be a daunting task, but with the right equipment and setup, it can be a breeze. By using a more advanced router and access points, you can have better control over your network and Wi-Fi, and ensure that your devices are always connected and running smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope this article has been helpful in showing you how I have set up my home network and Wi-Fi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",1793177418762]