Running a homelab is not always easy, especially when comes time to route, segregate and firewall multiple networks, each with a very specific use. I ended up with with 6 different networks:
- Private LAN
- This network is meant for my usage only. This is where all the main machines are connected, Servers and Main PC. No guests are allowed on this network.
- Friends LAN
- This is the "Hotspot" network that I offer to my guests during events. They cannot interact with other networks except for the "Google Cast" network, to allow them to cast to the speakers and chromecasts.
- IoT LAN
- This network is reserved for the IoT devices, a few ports are allowed in and out to the "Home-Assistant" Virtual Machine, such as LIFX ports and MQTT ports.
- Neighbors Wifi
- This network is reserved for the use of the upstairs neighbors.
- Game Server LAN
- This network is higly restricted as the machine living on it is directly exposed to the internet on many ports to allow for game servers such as; Minecraft, Valheim, Conan, ARK, 7 days to die, Project Zomboid. Only a few ports are allowed within the lan. I.e: Inbound port 22 from my PC.
- Cameras LAN
- This network is only accessible from the "Frigate" machine. Cameras can only see that machine and cannot ping home.
| Symbol |
Means |
| ✔️ |
Yes |
| ⏸️ |
Waiting on the next generation of this. |
| ❔ |
Maybe - it's not bad, but I'm looking for something better |
| 👎 |
Unlikely, it's not terrible, but it has some issues |
| 🔺 |
There's a newer version that's better |
| ⛔ |
Discontinued |
| ⚠️ |
Won't buy again |
| Model |
Device Type |
Buy Again? |
Some Notes |
Quantity In Use |
| Cloud Gateway Ultra |
Router |
✔️ |
Decent router, good network options. |
1 |
| U6-Lite |
Access Points |
❔ |
I can only reach 200Mbps with these Antennas in Wifi6 |
3 |
| U6-PRO |
Access Points |
✔️ |
More decent speeds at 300Mbps |
1 |
| USW-Flex-Mini |
Switches |
✔️ |
Good little switch, not too pricey |
3 |
| USW-Lite-8-PoE |
Switches |
✔️ |
Also decent POE switch for edge of the network. |
2 |
| Ethernet Cat6 |
Cable |
✔️ |
|
Lots |
