New HDB BTO Flat - How do you connect your Home Fiber Network

[TanKianW]

I shifted house recently and now, my router, switches and NAS are housed within the DB box.

Not my ideal location with all the heat built up inside the DB box. I consider placing a USB fan inside but I don't think it is going to help much with all the built up heat and poor air circulation. Leaving the DB box door ajar is not an option too.

Hence, checking in with you guys on how to manage the built up heat? Any issue with over heating?

DB box?? DB cabinet you mean.

Cut breathing holes on your DB cabinet.

OR

Relocate your NAS to another room through the patch panel.

 

[ahgao86]

Hi guys, have been doing a bit of research. Hope to get some help from all the gurus here. I recently got my 4 room bto and realized that all the rooms and hall has got data points and it’s wired back to the patch panel in the db cupboard. That’s also where the fibre point will be. And I just signed a contract with StarHub for the 2gbps plan with the Linksys Velop mx4200 router. So in my hall, I have an Apple TV and also a tv that i would like a wired connection. Also in the main bedroom (which is the furthest bedroom from the hall and db cupboard) i also would like my Apple TV and tv wired. The sales person was telling me that from StarHub router there are 2 ports, each is 1gbps.

so this is his recommendation:
- StarHub router port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub router port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> gigabit Ethernet switch —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

Is this a doable option??

I did some searching and it seems like this might not be a good option (apparently can be hacked etc). However with my Reno almost done, it might not be feasible to get the electrician to relocate the other Ethernet port in the hall next to the tv area Ethernet port.

so I’m contemplating a few options now and would like some advice regarding the pros and cons.

1. The option the sales person gave is valid. Stick to it.
2. Have a wired router (something like the Ubiquiti ER-X EdgeRouter X Advanced Gigabit Ethernet Router) in the patch panel for wired connection only.
- StarHub modem port 1 —> wired modem —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and tv.
- StarHub modem port 3 —> bedroom 2 (my study room and also the room that’s pretty much in the middle of the entire house) —> linksys velop (to provide wifi for the entire house.
3. spend more money on another velop for aimesh
- StarHub modem port 1 —> linksys velop 1 —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and tv
- StarHub modem port 3 —> patch panel (bedroom 2) —> Linksys Velop 2

I’ve done a lot of googling and tbh I’m getting dizzy from the overload of information. can someone point me in the right direction and also the pros and cons please? Thank you so much in advance!!

 

[xiaofan]

Hi guys, have been doing a bit of research. Hope to get some help from all the gurus here. I recently got my 4 room bto and realized that all the rooms and hall has got data points and it’s wired back to the patch panel in the db cupboard. That’s also where the fibre point will be. And I just signed a contract with StarHub for the 2gbps plan with the Linksys Velop mx4200 router. So in my hall, I have an Apple TV and also a tv that i would like a wired connection. Also in the main bedroom (which is the furthest bedroom from the hall and db cupboard) i also would like my Apple TV and tv wired. The sales person was telling me that from StarHub router there are 2 ports, each is 1gbps.

so this is his recommendation:
- StarHub router port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub router port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> gigabit Ethernet switch —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

Is this a doable option??

I did some searching and it seems like this might not be a good option (apparently can be hacked etc). However with my Reno almost done, it might not be feasible to get the electrician to relocate the other Ethernet port in the hall next to the tv area Ethernet port.

so I’m contemplating a few options now and would like some advice regarding the pros and cons.

1. The option the sales person gave is valid. Stick to it.
2. Have a wired router (something like the Ubiquiti ER-X EdgeRouter X Advanced Gigabit Ethernet Router) in the patch panel for wired connection only.
- StarHub modem port 1 —> wired modem —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and tv.
- StarHub modem port 3 —> bedroom 2 (my study room and also the room that’s pretty much in the middle of the entire house) —> linksys velop (to provide wifi for the entire house.
3. spend more money on another velop for aimesh
- StarHub modem port 1 —> linksys velop 1 —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and tv
- StarHub modem port 3 —> patch panel (bedroom 2) —> Linksys Velop 2

I’ve done a lot of googling and tbh I’m getting dizzy from the overload of information. can someone point me in the right direction and also the pros and cons please? Thank you so much in advance!!

You have quite some misuse of terminalogy in the post.

1) Original proposal -- the ONT is not a router
- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> gigabit Ethernet switch —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

In the above proposal, there is no router in Port 3. It will not work properly. You can not connect an unmanged swicth directly to the ONT. Rather you have to add a router. Since this is just for the wired device, a cheap old gigabit router will do if you have old router like Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 or others. If not, they are so cheap in Carousell -- like S$10.

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> cheap router like Linksys EA7500 v2 —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

2) Your Option 2 will work
- StarHub ONT port 1 —> wired router like the Edge Router X or cheap router like Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 (disable WiFi) —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and Smart TV
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> bedroom 2 (pretty much in the middle of the entire house) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 (to provide wifi for the entire house.

3) Starhub 2Gbps plan is dual 1Gbps plan, which means that you will not be able to form a mesh even if you add another Velop MX4200 to Port 3.

BTW, AImesh is specific to Asus wireless routers, not for Linksys.

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and TV in hall (one network, 1Gbps bandwidth)
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router —> Apple TV and TV in main bedroom (another network, another 1Gbps bandwidth).

4) Similar to Option 3 but using cheap Wireless router in main bedroom

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and TV in hall (one network, 1Gbps bandwidth)
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 route—> Apple TV and TV in main bedroom (another network, another 1Gbps bandwidth).

5) I think you can give Option 2 or Option 4 a try first to see how it goes. If you have old wireless router, Option 2 and 4 are basically using the same HW, just different configuration.

 

[ahgao86]

You have quite some misuse of terminalogy in the post.

1) Original proposal -- the ONT is not a router
- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> gigabit Ethernet switch —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

In the above proposal, there is no router in Port 3. It will not work properly. You can not connect an unmanged swicth directly to the ONT. Rather you have to add a router. Since this is just for the wired device, a cheap old gigabit router will do if you have old router like Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 or others. If not, they are so cheap in Carousell -- like S$10.

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> linksys velop router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and tv in hall
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> cheap router like Linksys EA7500 v2 —> Apple TV and tv in main bedroom

2) Your Option 2 will work
- StarHub ONT port 1 —> wired router like the Edge Router X or cheap router like Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 (disable WiFi) —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and Smart TV
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> bedroom 2 (pretty much in the middle of the entire house) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 (to provide wifi for the entire house.

3) Starhub 2Gbps plan is dual 1Gbps plan, which means that you will not be able to form a mesh even if you add another Velop MX4200 to Port 3.

BTW, AImesh is specific to Asus wireless routers, not for Linksys.

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and TV in hall (one network, 1Gbps bandwidth)
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router —> Apple TV and TV in main bedroom (another network, another 1Gbps bandwidth).

4) Similar to Option 3 but using cheap Wireless router in main bedroom

- StarHub ONT port 1 —> patch panel (hall) —> Linksys Velop MX4200 router (provides wifi and wired connection) —> Apple TV and TV in hall (one network, 1Gbps bandwidth)
- StarHub ONT port 3 —> patch panel (main bedroom) —> Linksys EA7500 v2 or EA8100 v1 route—> Apple TV and TV in main bedroom (another network, another 1Gbps bandwidth).

5) I think you can give Option 2 or Option 4 a try first to see how it goes. If you have old wireless router, Option 2 and 4 are basically using the same HW, just different configuration.

Thanks so much! Yes my terminology is pretty bad I admit. Thanks for correcting me.

What if I do something like this so that I can utilize both 1gbps ports by StarHub:
Option 5
- StarHub ONT Port 1 —> linksys EA7500 V2 (disable wireless) to provide all my wired connection —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and tv
- StarHub ONT Port 3 —> Velop 4200 in mesh mode (provide wireless to living room and kitchen —> patch panel (study room or bedroom 2 whichever is more centralized) —> 2nd linksys velop 4200 in mesh mode (provide wireless for remaining area)

thanks so much once again!

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks so much! Yes my terminology is pretty bad I admit. Thanks for correcting me.

What if I do something like this so that I can utilize both 1gbps ports by StarHub:
Option 5
- StarHub ONT Port 1 —> linksys EA7500 V2 (disable wireless) to provide all my wired connection —> patch panel (hall) and patch panel (main bedroom) —> Apple TV and tv
- StarHub ONT Port 3 —> Velop 4200 in mesh mode (provide wireless to living room and kitchen —> patch panel (study room or bedroom 2 whichever is more centralized) —> 2nd linksys velop 4200 in mesh mode (provide wireless for remaining area)

thanks so much once again!

Yes this option will work.

 

[ahgao86]

Great! Thank you so much! Will explore the options mentioned and determine if the second velop node is really required. Appreciate it!

 

[_underthebutterfly]

Hi, adding to this thread, wanted to get opinions from the experts here

I have a new 4-rm BTO (I’ll upload the layout later). I signed with starhub 1Gbps and I have a ASUS AX55 lying around. The BTO has a patch panel in the DB cabinet and LAN ports in all rooms.

I was thinking of putting the AX55 in the DB then link to patch panels to 1. Bedroom 1 and 2. MBR where I intend to buy and use ASUS XD4s

Will this setup work?

I understand the XD4 has 1 WAN and 1 LAN, so does it mean I can have a wired connection in the study?

Im a noob at this so appreciate any advice! Thanks!

 

[xonix]

Hi, adding to this thread, wanted to get opinions from the experts here

I have a new 4-rm BTO (I’ll upload the layout later). I signed with starhub 1Gbps and I have a ASUS AX55 lying around. The BTO has a patch panel in the DB cabinet and LAN ports in all rooms.

I was thinking of putting the AX55 in the DB then link to patch panels to 1. Bedroom 1 and 2. MBR where I intend to buy and use ASUS XD4s

Will this setup work?

I understand the XD4 has 1 WAN and 1 LAN, so does it mean I can have a wired connection in the study?

Im a noob at this so appreciate any advice! Thanks!

Short answer, yes.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi, adding to this thread, wanted to get opinions from the experts here

I have a new 4-rm BTO (I’ll upload the layout later). I signed with starhub 1Gbps and I have a ASUS AX55 lying around. The BTO has a patch panel in the DB cabinet and LAN ports in all rooms.
I was thinking of putting the AX55 in the DB then link to patch panels to 1. Bedroom 1 and 2. MBR where I intend to buy and use ASUS XD4s
Will this setup work?
I understand the XD4 has 1 WAN and 1 LAN, so does it mean I can have a wired connection in the study?
Im a noob at this so appreciate any advice! Thanks!

Yes your setup will work.

But I will recommend to get at least RT-AX56U as the main router. It may be just me but I do not like RT-AX55 for two reasons.
1) only 256MB RAM
2) no USB drive and no Merlin FW support when you want to explore more advanced features of the Merlin FW.

It will work if you have only a few devices and do not use more advanced Asus FW features. So it will depend on your use cases.

Reference: RT-AX55 out of memory

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/ax86u-ram-usage.78489/

 

[_underthebutterfly]

Thanks both for your response. I got the AX55 free which is why I didn’t want to put it to waste.
Do I have the turn off the wifi of the AX55 in the DB? Or can I leave it on for the aimesh?

 

[ahgao86]

Yes this option will work.

Hi bro quick qn, will there be any issue if I use a TP-Link Archer AX50 in place of the Linksys EA7500 v2 for all my wired connections like in the previous mentioned scenarios? Will there be any issue with it clashing with the Velop MX4200? I happen to have it as a spare and thought I could make use of it for wired connections. Thanks once again in advance!

 

[_underthebutterfly]

Short answer, yes.

Is the long answer that there will be some problems?
should the AX55 be the aimesh router and the rest of the XD4 or XD5 be the nodes?

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks both for your response. I got the AX55 free which is why I didn’t want to put it to waste.
Do I have the turn off the wifi of the AX55 in the DB? Or can I leave it on for the aimesh?

No need to turn off wifi.

BTW, even if you get RT-AX56U as the main router, your RT-AX55 can be used as a mesh node so it is not wasted.

(RT-AX56U + two RT-AX55) will be better than (RT-AX55 + two Zenwifi XD4) in terms of router performance and wireless coverage) unless you really like the form factor of XD4.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi bro quick qn, will there be any issue if I use a TP-Link Archer AX50 in place of the Linksys EA7500 v2 for all my wired connections like in the previous mentioned scenarios? Will there be any issue with it clashing with the Velop MX4200? I happen to have it as a spare and thought I could make use of it for wired connections. Thanks once again in advance!

No impact. You can connect it to ONT Port 1 and it will not affect the MX4200 which is connected to ONT Port 3.

 

[ahgao86]

No impact. You can connect it to ONT Port 1 and it will not affect the MX4200 which is connected to ONT Port 3.

Awesome! Thanks bro!

 

[ahgao86]

Yes this option will work.

Sorry another question. What if I decide that I need another node to cover the whole house for wifi; so

ONT Port 1 —> EA7500 v2 (wired connection) —> Patch panel (MBR) —> Apple TV and Tv
ONT Port 3 —> Ethernet gigabit switch —> Patch panel (hall) —> Velop mx4500 (for wifi) —> Apple TV and tv
ONT Port 3 —> Ethernet gigabit switch —> Patch panel (bedroom 2) —> Velop mx4500 node 2 (for wifi)

Will this configuration be able to work?

 

[_underthebutterfly]

No need to turn off wifi.

BTW, even if you get RT-AX56U as the main router, your RT-AX55 can be used as a mesh node so it is not wasted.

(RT-AX56U + two RT-AX55) will be better than (RT-AX55 + two Zenwifi XD4) in terms of router performance and wireless coverage) unless you really like the form factor of XD4.

In this case, the AX56U should be in the db box + 2 AX55 as the nodes?

I read on dongknows that the xd4 can create a guest mesh network. Is this the same for the all routers setup?

 

[xiaofan]

Sorry another question. What if I decide that I need another node to cover the whole house for wifi; so

ONT Port 1 —> EA7500 v2 (wired connection) —> Patch panel (MBR) —> Apple TV and Tv
ONT Port 3 —> Ethernet gigabit switch —> Patch panel (hall) —> Velop mx4200 (for wifi) —> Apple TV and tv
ONT Port 3 —> Ethernet gigabit switch —> Patch panel (bedroom 2) —> Velop mx4200 node 2 (for wifi)

Will this configuration be able to work?

No, this would not work.

ONT + Router + Unmanaged Switch ---> OK
ONT + Unmanaged Switch + Router --> NOT OK

 

[xiaofan]

In this case, the AX56U should be in the db box + 2 AX55 as the nodes?

I read on dongknows that the xd4 can create a guest mesh network. Is this the same for the all routers setup?

Yes. RT-AX56U in the DB Box.

Yes. RT-AX56U has the guest network function. You can say all Asus wireless router has such function.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042732/https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1045327/

 

[ahgao86]

No, this would not work.

ONT + Router + Unmanaged Switch ---> OK
ONT + Unmanaged Switch + Router --> NOT OK

I see. So in my situation, it seems like the only way to have 2 nodes is to have the router in the DB cabinet and connect it to the patch panel. There is no way to split 1 ONT port to 2 or more without going through a router first, correct?