For 2026; I want to replace my old Apple network made up of an Apple Time Capsule, an Apple Extreme and an Apple express. My home is just over 2,000 sq ft. What are good upgrade options? Thank you!
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Replace old network routers
iMac (M1, 2021)
This is an immense topic.
What else do you want to do with the network beyond Wi-Fi and presumably NAS. Cameras, maybe? 2.5 GbE, or 5 GbE, or 10 GbE? Presumably Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
Remote connections into the network via VPN for viewing info or cameras or other such?
Probably want mesh networking support too, though existing wired access points can be a drop-in replacement.
And walls and existing wiring and building construction are as much a factor here as is square footage.
Options for networking are numerous.
Apple resells eero gear. They may well be a good fit here, too. Based on a quick look, eero does not offer NAS products, though a third-party NAS can be integrated with eero gear.
Local preference is Ubiquiti, which offers“pro-sumer” range and higher spec gear. Ubiquiti is immensely powerful and easy to use, good UIs, has a very broad range of switching and networking and cameras and NAS storage and (much) more gear, but Ubiquiti also assumes some networking knowledge. They’re definitely not into hand-holding, though there are forums and folks that can help with that, and Ubiquiti offers paid services. The gear and updates are free however, and with very few licenses or subscriptions involved anywhere.
The Ubiquiti design center can get you thinking about the residential setup and coverage: https://www.unihosted.com/blog/how-to-design-and-deploy-with-the-ubiquiti-design-tool
You’re probably in the Ubiquiti Express 7 and pieces range, or the Cloud Gateway Max and pieces range if you want cameras and Protect support.
Whatever NAS you pick, you will absolutely want Time Machine server support.
These NAS Compares folks have lots of useful info and videos, both for networking and (of course) for NAS: https://nascompares.com/review/unifi-express-7-review-small-yet-powerful/
This is an immense topic.
What else do you want to do with the network beyond Wi-Fi and presumably NAS. Cameras, maybe? 2.5 GbE, or 5 GbE, or 10 GbE? Presumably Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
Remote connections into the network via VPN for viewing info or cameras or other such?
Probably want mesh networking support too, though existing wired access points can be a drop-in replacement.
And walls and existing wiring and building construction are as much a factor here as is square footage.
Options for networking are numerous.
Apple resells eero gear. They may well be a good fit here, too. Based on a quick look, eero does not offer NAS products, though a third-party NAS can be integrated with eero gear.
Local preference is Ubiquiti, which offers“pro-sumer” range and higher spec gear. Ubiquiti is immensely powerful and easy to use, good UIs, has a very broad range of switching and networking and cameras and NAS storage and (much) more gear, but Ubiquiti also assumes some networking knowledge. They’re definitely not into hand-holding, though there are forums and folks that can help with that, and Ubiquiti offers paid services. The gear and updates are free however, and with very few licenses or subscriptions involved anywhere.
The Ubiquiti design center can get you thinking about the residential setup and coverage: https://www.unihosted.com/blog/how-to-design-and-deploy-with-the-ubiquiti-design-tool
You’re probably in the Ubiquiti Express 7 and pieces range, or the Cloud Gateway Max and pieces range if you want cameras and Protect support.
Whatever NAS you pick, you will absolutely want Time Machine server support.
These NAS Compares folks have lots of useful info and videos, both for networking and (of course) for NAS: https://nascompares.com/review/unifi-express-7-review-small-yet-powerful/
Upgrade options for Apple network routers in a 2,000 sq ft home
