This post is part of the Home network v2 series.

Last year — I wrote about plans for my home network, or home network v2, as I called it. Let’s take a look at what I have done, what remains, and what has changed since then.

Table of contents

Logical

Replace EdgeRouter with MikroTik CCR1009

I decided to use a virtual VyOS instance instead of the CCR1009, but then had some problems and downtime with the nightly VyOS builds. So I started testing a virtual CHR (a RouterOS version intended for running as a virtual machine) — which I am currently using, and very happy with 🙂

My EdgeRouter still sits between the CHR and my local network, but I am slowly migrating everything to the CHR 🙂

T P - L i I n S k P S M M C 2 f 2 i 0 b L e r C H R E d g e R o u t e r U s e r
  • Set up a virtual VyOS router
    • Move homelab into own LAB net, behind the VyOS
    • Share routes between VyOS and RouterOS using OSPF
    • Move WireGuard server from container into VyOS

My current plan is to set up another virtual instance of CHR, intended for inter-VLAN traffic — and share routes between the two CHR instances. I have started testing WireGuard server on my edge CHR, and it seems to working well 👍

  • Set up client, or consumer, network
    • Move all “regular” devices to this network (phones, laptops, IoT, etc)

This is done 😎

  • Make management network
    • Move access points, switches, UPS, etc to this network
    • Bind SSH on all servers to this network
    • Servers with fiber will also be connected to this network with Ethernet
    • Properly configure RSTP on all switches

Not done, but the plan is the same — for now.

  • Make guest network, Wi-Fi basically
  • Make CoLo network, for equipment which is not mine

I have made a guest VLAN, with only internet access. And a guest Wi-Fi which uses this VLAN. I’m not going to make a CoLo network, as I don’t really need it.

  • Possibly a services network, for things like DNS, NTP, etc

I’m currently using my edge CHR for both DNS and NTP, so I don’t think I need this.

Physical

These tasks are completed:

We are planning to install a new underground power cable from the house to the detached garage — and will be putting in a conduit for fiber as well 😃
  • Try to improve the weak spots there were uncovered during my Wi-Fi mapping

I’ve done multiple Wi-Fi improvements, but I have a few more in mind. And I need to redo the measurements — to verify the results.

More closing thoughts

My home network feels a bit “in limbo” at the moment, with the CHR in front of the EdgeRouter. But everything is working as it should 🙂

I will be writing more about setting up CHR in Proxmox — and migrating my network to it, and how I am using it with my ISP (Altibox) fiber.

You can subscribe, or follow me on Twitter to keep up to date with my network adventure 🙂

🖖

Last commit 2023-12-25, with message: replace emoji slight_smile/slightly_smiling_face

Home network v2 series

  1. Replacing Unifi switches with MikroTik
  2. Getting started with MikroTik CCR1009 and RouterOS
  3. Altibox fiber — straight into Mikrotik CCR1009
  4. Running underground CAT6 to detached garage
  5. Plans for my home network
  6. Running two CAT6 cables to the play room
  7. Running three CAT6 cables to the living room TV bench
  8. Moving CAT6 cable for access point; inside the wall
  9. Altibox fiber — straight into Ubiquiti EdgeRouter
  10. Two CAT6 cables and a fiber — from the basement to the attic
  11. A few Wi-Fi improvements
  12. Updated plans for my home network
  13. Knot Resolver — with ad blocking
  14. Pulling CAT6 cable in existing conduit
  15. Running CAT6 to the twins' rooms — inside interior wall
  16. Running CAT6 to the 2nd floor den — another interior wall