Ubiquiti - UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition

Yes the UDR7 has a built in AP but of course its location will affect its effectiveness. It might be better to get a gateway without AP and put AP's where you want them. Switches are required where you need port expansion or POE to power the AP's. I have an original UDM (Same pill shape) that serves my downstairs with an AP to cover the garden and one upstairs to improve coverage. The beauty of the Unifi range is its easy to expand and not huge cost. So a UDR7 with a single AP and see how you get on. You can always add later.

For 20+ years I used all sorts of high-end consumer routers from Asus, TP Link, Netgear, Fritzbox. It was a journey of constant optimisation, troubleshooting, custom firmware, and forums to make it work. Then it works and then suddenly stops working and I restart again, switch to another brand, stronger router, etc. The time I spent on these... a lot. Last year I switched our setup to UI.com, Unify. I bought a Dream machine, added a few WiFi 5 hotspots wired, and I have never touched it ever since. It just works. Maybe check out one of their lower-tier devices.

Don’t make the same mistake as I made and buy one of these pre-packaged mesh systems. They do work great but if you decide you need an extra satellite a year later for more coverage for whatever reason, chances are the model you need is no longer manufactured and the ‘new’ current model isn’t backwards compatible with your setup. Instead buy a long term modular system. There may be others but I’ve been using UniFi’s for a while now and I’ve expanded and updated different bits a few times over the years. I had to learn the hard way after buying two different ‘complete’ mesh systems before, one for home and one for work, neither of which could be upgraded (in practice) a little while later.

Asus Expert Router EBG19P seems to have some benefits over Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway, such as more ports. But it's hard to argue the awesomeness of Ubiquiti UI - I love my UDM Pro. Props to ASUS WRT (Merlin) too. Like others said, just turn off DHCP and WiFi on the ATT Gateway and let your router do the lifting. Couple with Asus Zen Wifi or TP-Link Deco mesh system in access point model for expandable, upgradeable wireless. Eero won't support this setup (no AP mode).

I second the recommendation of Unifi. Install a multi AP system, set up two SSIDs, and broadcast to the APs in each apartment. A regular consumer mesh system may or may not be able to do what you need as well or at all.

I'd suggest looking into Ubiquiti UniFi. Since you have wiring available, it would be ideal. Look at the Cloud Gateway Ultra or Max as the router/controller, and add switches and wifi APs as needed/possible. You'll get a single-point-of-management interface for all the hardware. The Dream Router 7 is nice in that it has an AP built in if that's needed. The Dream Machine rack mounted hardware is also great, it may be overkill for you though.

Literally just got mine yesterday, going in this weekend. UDM coverage is decent for my house at 3,000 sq feet and outdoors as well. I do have an extender that I will be replacing with a U7 Pro in the near future. As with all WiFi, your mileage may vary based on materials, RF noise etc. I expect a hefty bump going from UDM to UDR7

UniFi, hands down. I don't know what you consider "similar nonsense", - prosumer and a lot of business will use a controller that manages the configurations and statistics. The Cloud Key is a somewhat older implementation of the UniFi setup where it performed as the controller and an NVR for cameras. They've split that off - you can get gateways (router/controller) that does not have the video incorporated any longer. The "cloud" in some of their hardware doesn't mean it's run from the cloud or whatever, it's simply part of the model name. You can run it all standalone without being tied to their servers (though it's pretty convenient at times). Similarly, they have "mesh" in the name of some of their APs - but all of them can be wirelessly uplinked. It's a matter of them associating through marketing to the massive consumer "mesh" marketing. But it's still prosumer stuff and uses the same controller as the rest. My favorite feature is reliability. It's been rock solid for me through 6 years (I've moved through three upgrades and it's just stable. I love it. Look at the Dream Router 7, UniFi Express models, and Cloud Gateway models for some pretty darned good home solutions. The Dream Machines are great also, they are rack mount though and tilt towards having the video features. Should you choose one of the simpler offerings and want to go video later - there are standalone DVRs - including the Cloud Key+, which is still popular - that you can add. There is other prosumer gear, but Ubiquiti UniFi and TP-Link Omada are the only ones I know of with the unified management.

UDM is a great choice under ubiquiti. Alternatively I got the following for just around $200: TP link ER 605V2 for under $60 TP link ax1800 for under $65 Arris Surfboard (various models, just look at the speeds you have and what your needs are) between $60-$110 Having learned more about networking I like the separation of hardware/software between modem, router, and access point over all in one combos. Also if one craps out it's less of a financial hit and upgrades are more attainable.

For your setup Best signal: Unify Cloud Gateway Router, and U6+ or U7 Pro OR Simplest: UDR7 OR Lowest cost: Unify Express 7

au Hikari is a true dual-stack IPv4/IPv6. They don't use v6plus/MAP-E or any 4-over-6 tunneling. However, since they’re using 802.1X (EAP) for their authentication, you cannot easily use a third-party router. They also don't let you enable bridge mode, so one of the most common solutions for people wanting to run their own router is to use https://github.com/jaysoffian/eap_proxy to proxy EAP packets to au Hikari's router while letting a third-party router handle the routing. If you just want a stable Wi-Fi, the easiest solution is to just plug in a Wi-Fi router running in AP mode to au Hikari's router. If you're looking to replace au Hikari's router, most consumer hardware won't be able to route 10Gbps, so forget about Buffalo, ASUS, TP-Link, etc. You need to at least a prosumer equipment. Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro can (almost) do this when IPS is disabled (it can do ~3.5 Gbps with IPS). Another valid option if you have a networking background is MikroTik CCR2004, which can do 10Gbps routing (but MikroTik is on a very opposite end of user friendly.) For Wi-Fi, Ubiquiti's UniFi is probably the safest choice. For Wi-Fi 7, perhaps something like U7-Pro + at least UCG-Max. If you want to use Ubiquiti on the router side as well, perhaps UDM-Pro + USW-Pro-Max + U7-Pro. Personally, I use MikroTik with static routing and let au Hikari's router handle NAT (see [an old thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/1kjtbmf/comment/mrvco1a/?context=3)), though this solution means there's one extra hop to go out to the internet. Most of my network is wired, so I don't care that much about Wi-Fi (currently Aterm WX11000T12), but I'm looking to switch my Wi-Fi to Ubiquiti as well (while keeping MikroTik on the routing side).

This. We have a UDMSE with 5 access points around the house. There’s not a dead spot on my property.

I use Ubiquity Unifi gear since I’ve used it for almost 10 years. Netgear Orbi is a high quality product, Eero is probably ok too. More a question of how big your space is, is there a way to hardwire access points etc. The standard Verizon router may be totally fine for a small space.

I’ll be the UniFi shill here, but try out a dream machine from ubiquiti. You can get into the weeds with what you want to do with it through the web panel. Netgear 100% sucked butts. I’d never buy their stuff again with how many hoops they put you through all the while spamming your email with ads and trying to get you to upgrade your service with their nonsense “security packages” and whatnot. EDIT: as TheEthyr pointed out, UniFi gear can be locally managed. Deleted that line to prevent further confusion.

I mean you could go full ubiquity with a dream machine and multiple access points spread throughout the house. There’s no way a single router is going to cover 3000sq feet with a great signal.

Any Cloud Gateway from Ubiquiti paired with AP’s. Easy to setup and manage.

True. I note a swipe at the alleged Dream Machine that goes on its knees with ips/ids enabled.

Dream machine should be able to cover everything. Maybe an express can as well and they can be had used for $80

A UDM would be a better choice with the need for cameras, etc.

Ubiquiti UDMSE coupled with some UniFi WiFi 6E/7 access points (PoE)

Ubiquiti. I have a ubiquiti dream machine pro but the dream machine has the same interface and just a normal home router, no rack.

You can go with Ubiquity, it supports mesh and would be a great choice for the router. The UDM has a built in AP. But you’re going to regret using mesh in a 4000 sf home. Do yourself a favor and hard wire the AP’s, whatever solution you go with.

Yeah, par for the course with Netgear, I myself like their hardware a lot, but their firmware, implementation and business practices are so bad I actively steer people away from any of their products any chance I get. I bought one of their wifi 6 routers years ago, it looked like a space ship for like 400 bucks hoping it would be able to serve my house well. It didn't. I had to power cycle the thing at least once a day...called tech support and they blamed my network, if I wanted them to confirm it wasn't my network I had to pay them a "refundable" 90$ for them to even consider a warranty claim. I said no thanks and put back in my old router (which worked perfectly fine, albeit wifi coverage was poor) After doing more research I got an ubiquiti dream machine and it's been rock solid, the only time it turns off is during a power outage or during software updates, it's been a great device. Tldr never buy Netgear and thank yourself later.

A house that size I’d probably go with a ubiquiti UDM in the basement, and a couple wifi 7 APs wired with POE on the first floor Ubiquiti has a tool to help design your layout, it’ll map your home with the phone camera and you can pick and choose equipment to see what it will do for your coverage

I have just moved to Unifi from Linksys due to the constant issues with the Velop mesh. All wired and seems to be working very well. Even the Mrs is happy

Most basic network routing hasn't really changed in the last 10 years. Wireless networking? However has. If you're worried about vunerabilities? Separate the wireless and hardwired. Makes it easy to upgrade to the latest wireless, while just doing a firmware update to your firewall/router. Plus, I'm lazy, and I'd rather replace a wireless access point, over having to reprogram an ENTIRE FREAKEN NETWORK. If you really need the ALL IN ONE, while worrying about vulnerabilities? Both the Dell Sonic Wall, and Fortinet routers can come with wireless built in. They're made for light commercial, as well as enterprise uses, so that security is there. Just want it to work? A Ubiquiti Dream Machine should be able to cover your needs and uses, while being easy to manage.

Since you have cable Internet and it runs into the basement, you hopefully have coaxial cables available to you throughout the house, and usually in key locations. Just look at the area where all the coax ends should meet, likely in the basement where your modem/router is at and plugged into. If you do find this bunch of coax, you can use it with MoCA Adapters to build a wired Ethernet network inside your home. If you can achieve that, then getting good WiFi everywhere will be easy, as well as providing wired capabilities for other devices in needed locations. MoCA Adapters can be a bit expensive, but worth the cost. If you can build this MoCA network, then whatever you choose as the router and Access Points will work very well, including a 3 pack of a reputable mesh brand. For mesh, I use and can recommend eero. But ASUS Zen mesh is also praised a lot, and has more configurability. If you want to go higher end, you can get an Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway router, a Ubiquiti PoE switch, and some Ubiquiti Access Points. It's more expensive, but very capable of advanced setups, and is very stable. I use Ubiquiti at another home and in my office location, and I can recommend them personally as well.

Ubiquiti Dream Machine + whichever AP's (wifi 6 or wifi 7) suit your fancy + one of their POE switches.

Just get a Unifi setup at home a UDM and a separate AP Pro will be ~$100 cheaper and better

Also love my UDM-SE and my 12 switches throughout my house. Their ecosystem is worth the price of admission.

I subscribe to the buy once and do it right. What that means is having a semi professional system. For me I got the Unify www.ui.com DreamMachine with a wired access point (AP) that rebroadcasts the wireless signal. So I have an AP on bottom floor and another on top floor of three story townhome. It includes a professional firewall and when I added cameras it had the software to run and manage them. They’ve since come out alternative options but this is just a rock solid system that you don’t have to continuously mess with and constantly curse at.

Function split ?????? One Unifi Cloud Gateway Fibre, along with a U7-Pro hanging from the ceiling being powered off the CGF's POE+ port.

A real one that only routes like a Ubiquiti Dream Machine. Or just a regular old PC with OPNsense.

I use an Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway and have three Ubiquiti U7 Pro nodes on PoE spread throughout the house. It's been fantastic. Really enjoy the UniFi software as well

This right here. If I ordered my UDM-SE from amazon I'd be SOL when it decided to die a month before the warranty ended. Not saying they're bad products, things will always die at some point. I still have a gen 1 cloud key kicking along as a hotel I setup years ago.

The question comes down to how much you want to mess with your router? Personally I don't want to mess with it at all, so I went with the Dream Machine along with UniFi access points and switches. It took me 20 hours or so to learn how to set it up correctly and now it has been running for 7 years or so. I have a pair of Raspberry Pis running Ad Guard and act as my network's DNS. Another Pi running Home Assistant with a lot of radios and such plugged into it. Other than keeping them up to date with the latest firmware and software I don't really think about my network at all anymore. Until I want to that is.