wifi router

[oj88]

Typically one would do MAC filtering + password.

You can certainly do that, but I don't. With over 100+ devices to manage at home, it'll be painful to administer and manage MAC addresses of all family members.

Guest access is done using time-limited vouchers through a captive portal.

[Motortrend]

You can certainly do that, but I don't. With over 100+ devices to manage at home, it'll be painful to administer and manage MAC addresses of all family members.

Guest access is done using time-limited vouchers through a captive portal.

It's tedious but effective and evs_13 did ask about filtering.

[Yatta]

Encrypt your SSIDs with a pre-shared key (WPA2-PSK or better, WPA3-PSK) that only you and your immediate family knows. Do not share your PSK to anyone else. If you frequently have guests over that needs WiFi, allocate a separate Guest SSID with its own PSK that you can share. When they leave, disable the SSID or change the PSK.

MAC filtering is weak as devices now have the ability to 'fake' and/or randomize their MAC addresses.

No security will ever be airtight. One can do more complicated (and expensive) stuff but for most simple home networks, a password is enough of a deterrent for that neighbor who just wants to ML.

Ang mabait na kapitbahay, walang password ang wifi! - Allan K

[oj88]

Anybody tried the new UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra or Max? I am this close to getting the Ultra. It's actually a toss between that or OPNsense.

Still currently on Arista NGFW on an HP DeskPro 600 G2 SFF. But my subscription will end in Feb 2025. The cheapest path would be to reuse the hardware and run OPNsense on it, but I'm also thinking about power consumption. The DeskPro is probably pulling anywhere between 40-80W, depending on load.

The UCG Ultra will probably make my network more consolidated (already using UniFi wireless access points) and make it less "chop suey". But not sure if it's capable enough.

[bmacavanza]

i have 3 different modem router. magamit ba eto sa pinas?

I can send more photos.

[Yatta]

i have 3 different modem router. magamit ba eto sa pinas?

I can send more photos.

Apart from voltage issues (remedied by regulators), sure.

[oj88]

The first two are still 802.11n (WiFi 4)... maybe 12-15 years old. The 2nd one even has a built-in ADSL modem.

The 3rd one is the most modern of the lot, 802.11ac (WiFi 5).

1 and 3 are perfectly usable. 2 is likely usable but only up to a certain extent. That ADSL WAN connection can be a limitation and it may not have the ability to work with an Ethernet WAN from FTTH modem, for example. Well, unless you're still on ADSL.... which is unlikely.

[bmacavanza]

Thank you very much oj88

Apart from voltage issues (remedied by regulators), sure.

[Yatta]

The first two are still 802.11n (WiFi 4)... maybe 12-15 years old. The 2nd one even has a built-in ADSL modem.

The 3rd one is the most modern of the lot, 802.11ac (WiFi 5).

1 and 3 are perfectly usable. 2 is likely usable but only up to a certain extent. That ADSL WAN connection can be a limitation and it may not have the ability to work with an Ethernet WAN from FTTH modem, for example. Well, unless you're still on ADSL.... which is unlikely.

You can set it into router/switch mode only. I got an old PLDT DSL modem/router working as garage wifi access point.

[oj88]

You can set it into router/switch mode only. I got an old PLDT DSL modem/router working as garage wifi access point.

That's what I meant.... but depending on the device itself, you might not be able to use the router function if it's not connected to ADSL. It's just going to be a switch with an access point. I also have an old ONT unit from PLDT that I'm using as a basic switch and AP.

Some routers can be flashed to OpenWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, etc., to unlock tons of functionalities, like reassigning a spare LAN port as WAN.

[bmacavanza]

Thank you very much oj88, and Yatta.

Looks like both of expert in IT.

Do you have suggestions on how to utilize these 3 equipment? I do not like it to become an ewaste.

Thank you in advance

[Yatta]

Thank you very much oj88, and Yatta.

Looks like both of expert in IT.

Do you have suggestions on how to utilize these 3 equipment? I do not like it to become an ewaste.

Thank you in advance

No not an expert. jus love tinkering with PCs since the 90s. Like you ayaw ko rin ng e-waste so rather than letting old, but working wifi routers go to waste, I use them as range extenders and access points around the house and the yard.

[bmacavanza]

Thanks and Noted Yatta.

I will do research on how to make it an access point.

No not an expert. jus love tinkering with PCs since the 90s. Like you ayaw ko rin ng e-waste so rather than letting old, but working wifi routers go to waste, I use them as range extenders and access points around the house and the yard.

[Motortrend]

No not an expert. jus love tinkering with PCs since the 90s. Like you ayaw ko rin ng e-waste so rather than letting old, but working wifi routers go to waste, I use them as range extenders and access points around the house and the yard.

Same philosophy. For devices which require batteries, have since switched to rechargeable batteries.

[papi smith]

No not an expert. jus love tinkering with PCs since the 90s. Like you ayaw ko rin ng e-waste so rather than letting old, but working wifi routers go to waste, I use them as range extenders and access points around the house and the yard.

Sayang I threw out my old globe wifi router, now may IP cam ako sa labas na weak ang signal na pwede ko sana pag gamitan. Would a cheap wifi extender do? It's a cheap Anran battery operated CCTV.

[oj88]

Stay away from WiFi extenders, a.k.a. WiFi repeaters.

Just repurpose an old wireless router to work like a typical WiFi access point; wired LAN connection to the LAN port, with the internal DHCP server disabled, and the SSID set up to use the same name, encryption and key as the rest of your WiFi.

[bmacavanza]

I have tried to make it an access point, and failed. ewaste nalang.

[Yatta]

I have tried to make it an access point, and failed. ewaste nalang.

How to Use a Router as a Wi-Fi Extender.

Mahirap kapag wireless to wireless, mas madali kung wired. I had to layout extra wires.