Like any techie guy, I've been through my fair share of Wifi access points in my home. Over the last few years, I've settled for cheaper units figuring they've become less novelty and more commodity. Over that time, I'm realizing the cheaper units might not be a great fit. so, here I am looking for recommendations, with my requirements below... would really appreciate some good advice and recommendations on what to get next. I don't mind paying more, the cheap route hasn't worked out, as long as it solves my problems.
my requirements:
1) long-ish term software/firmware support. i find a lot of the cheaper units probably aren't meant to be used for more than 2 yrs (1yr warranty) and the manufacturers just stop updating them so they are left vulnerable when security holes are found and bugs remain unfixed. i'd like something that will continue to get support/updates for a longer period of time - perhaps until the technology is superseded.
2) security is important. admin interfaces should at least be https, with support for current crypto alg, ability to regenerate certs or upload certs. passwords are not stored in clear in the config, etc.
3) I do use features like MAC addr filtering, multiple SSID for different uses with isolation, VLANs. run a DHCP server with features to assign specific addresses to MAC address (I use this for the lab servers). currently, my use of these features has resulted in a lot of instability, probably due to overloading.
4) prefer something not "cloud" dependent... i have plenty of reasons to keep using Wifi even if both of my internet connections go down. don't mind added features, just don't want to have any dysfunctions if the internet connection goes down.
5) I do have 1Gbps fiber internet connection, so high speed to benefit from the 1Gbps connection would be nice.
6) Must be PoE powered and mountable to ceiling. prefer something white or off-white to blend into the ceiling.
7) I will need it to support wireless bridging. I currently use this to connect my lab network that can't be connected by wire to my primary network.
I don't need multiple access points as the property is not large, and usually mounting a single access point on the ceiling of the 2nd floor has provided enough coverage.
nice to have, although i've never seen this, is an open API to manage the unit via programs. i can write code, and this would help simplify things i do in the lab.
TIA
my requirements:
1) long-ish term software/firmware support. i find a lot of the cheaper units probably aren't meant to be used for more than 2 yrs (1yr warranty) and the manufacturers just stop updating them so they are left vulnerable when security holes are found and bugs remain unfixed. i'd like something that will continue to get support/updates for a longer period of time - perhaps until the technology is superseded.
2) security is important. admin interfaces should at least be https, with support for current crypto alg, ability to regenerate certs or upload certs. passwords are not stored in clear in the config, etc.
3) I do use features like MAC addr filtering, multiple SSID for different uses with isolation, VLANs. run a DHCP server with features to assign specific addresses to MAC address (I use this for the lab servers). currently, my use of these features has resulted in a lot of instability, probably due to overloading.
4) prefer something not "cloud" dependent... i have plenty of reasons to keep using Wifi even if both of my internet connections go down. don't mind added features, just don't want to have any dysfunctions if the internet connection goes down.
5) I do have 1Gbps fiber internet connection, so high speed to benefit from the 1Gbps connection would be nice.
6) Must be PoE powered and mountable to ceiling. prefer something white or off-white to blend into the ceiling.
7) I will need it to support wireless bridging. I currently use this to connect my lab network that can't be connected by wire to my primary network.
I don't need multiple access points as the property is not large, and usually mounting a single access point on the ceiling of the 2nd floor has provided enough coverage.
nice to have, although i've never seen this, is an open API to manage the unit via programs. i can write code, and this would help simplify things i do in the lab.
TIA
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