[Noob Inquiry] Home networking 101

Submitted ⁨⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨rezz@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨selfhosted@lemmy.world⁩

Hi Lemmy gang -

Too many answers online across Reddit and misc forums, so I come to you.

I am looking to ditch my mesh net corporate ware Linksys setup for a variety of reasons.

From my cursory research, a mini PC for routing, or an otherwise dedicated box that I can OpenWRT/wireguard from the modem, then separately do the access points as desired, probably seems ideal. Would like 3-4 Ethernet’s and not two.

Should I get a hardcore commercial router? A mini pc for routing?

I will again decouple the media networking etc to a different box/PC. Mainly just want to having the networking hub, and family WiFi, setup in the spirit of self hosting / OpenWRT / Wireguard outbound (thinking tailscale or headscale later, in a Jellyfin veteran).

But I am a total noob as far as getting really into networking, Linux things, etc. A simple noob hardware and setup guide is my desire.

Thanks fam.

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VoidJuiceConcentrate@midwest.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
For router recommendations, I’d go with a Gl-inet router. they run OpenWRT out of box and smacked the hell out of my previous Netgear gaming router in both wireless range and stability, especially on 5GHz. I have the Flint 2 right now and I believe they just released the Flint 3 but the one I have is more than enough for my home network.

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- possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
  I personally wouldn’t run their stock firmware as it is only OpenWRT based not regular OpenWRT.
  
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  - VoidJuiceConcentrate@midwest.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
    I’m happy with the stock, but they do at least make it easy to swap firmware.
    
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possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
Just get a decent device with enough ram and CPU. Typically home usage doesn’t require that much in the way of resources. I personally like MediaTek and there hardware NAT implementation. It is supported natively by OpenWRT but you need to manually turn it on.

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- rezz@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
  What is the software setup when you’re actually configuring the minipc/box? Beyond the hardware architecture of the local network, what is the actual stack I should be pursuing and how is it implemented?
  
  For example: I read lots of great things about OPNsense, Wireguard, DietPi… but I don’t know what the exact stew should be and how to set it up ELI5 style.
  
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  - possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago
    I would just buy a device with OpenWRT support
    
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