AP advice: Use my existing ASUS AC66R or buy ubiquiti AC-PRO?
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Hey everyone, I've been reading around these forums quite a bit, in prep for my soon-to-be first pfsense build. With regard to what wireless access point to use, the vast majority of what I've read suggests the ubiquiti unifi series APs. I'm fine with buying the ac-pro model, but I also have an existing AC66R Asus modem that I could use in AP mode. If I buy the ac-pro, I'm sure I could sell the asus and recoup most my money, so really it's just a toss-up of what AP would be better at its job.
I don't have a huge house, so I'd only need one unifi AP (the asus router handled wireless just fine by itself). I also don't have a ton of wireless devices, most are wired. The heaviest hitter of my wireless devices is my nVidia Shield, which I use to stream both 1080p bluray rips, as well as play games using nVidia's Gamestream technology from my Windows10 VM.
Maybe the clear answer is to stick with the ASUS as an AP, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing by not going with the ac-pro.
Thanks!
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Do you want multiple SSIDs, i.e. Guest WiFi, Local LAN, IOT, etc ..
If yes I'd get a UniFi AP and a managed switch that supports 802.1q vlan tagging & trunks.
If you don't the Asus should be fine, just remember to switch off dhcp on the Asus.
I've got an AP-Pro and the signal strength is better than it was with my Time-capsule
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I don't use guest/alternate wifi yet, but I might in the not-too-distant future. I think my ASUS router supports guest wifi, but I don't know if I could use that feature in AP-only mode. Thanks for the info!
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I don't use guest/alternate wifi yet, but I might in the not-too-distant future. I think my ASUS router supports guest wifi, but I don't know if I could use that feature in AP-only mode. Thanks for the info!
If your Asus does support guest WiFi I think it will sent the traffic out the WAN interface, so I don't think it will work.
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I'm temporarily using an Asus AC3200 in AP mode and while it supports Guest wifi it won't block traffic on the guest wifi network(s) from accessing the LAN, FYI…
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I'm temporarily using an Asus AC3200 in AP mode and while it supports Guest wifi it won't block traffic on the guest wifi network(s) from accessing the LAN, FYI…
That's good to know, thank you. I may go a similar route and just use the ASUS temporarily as I get more comfortable with the new pfsense box as a whole, then re-assess and see what I want at that point.
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yeah the AP from unifi are in a different league than using some wifi router as an AP.. As already mentioned unless you put 3rd party on it the "guest" mode is not going to work..
They do have other models than the Pro, if your looking to save a few bucks - the lite model is great entry point.. All the features, only 2x2 vs 3x3 but unless you have lots of clients or really fast internet prob fine. And only about $80 vs $140ish that the pro cost.
For starters the poe will most likely let you deploy in a better location then where you can put some wifi router that needs power plug. You can deploy the AP in the ceiling like they are meant too for best coverage.
Unless your living in some sort of studio or warehouse that is wide open space for good coverage you will most likely end up with multiple AP.. 5ghz doesn't have a lot of range..
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Thanks John. I went ahead and bought the AP Pro. I got a $150 Amazon gift card for Christmas from my family (they know just what I love). Thanks to the advice you guys gave me over on my other post, I also picked up a Unifi Switch-8-60W. I'll be setting everything up over the weekend!
