Hi Folks,
I host a nextcloud instance, a NAS, and a few content portals for things like ebooks and music (internal only). I’ll be migrating Smartthings to Home Assistant eventually. We’re going to be upgrading to fiber soon and I have the opportunity to rebuild my wife’s network with a long term outlook (we’ll likely be here for years). Currently we have an older eero mesh system over cable internet. My desk is right where the cable currently comes in so all my Ethernet devices can live near the router.
My question is this:
What am I missing out on as a self-hoster by using whatever equipment metronet gives me?
What am I missing out on as a regular internet user by using the default equipment.
Am I likely to be annoyed about where the fiber comes into the house?
If it makes sense to buy my own router or access point(s), what is a reasonable balance between “daddy Bezos please read all my emails” and “you’ll never be secure until you build a router from custom circuit boards you custom ordered and hand assembled in a secure area”.
I’d like to avoid complex configuration, but if I can surface advanced options when needed, that would be great.
My Linux knowledge is intermediate. My networking knowledge is begintermediate.
That one depends on the company installing it. When I got it installed they asked me exactly where I wanted the fiber to terminate and ran it through the house to an outlet under my desk. So let them know and they might put it where you need it.
As for the router, I recommend buying a mini PC with at least 2 Ethernet ports and 4GB of RAM and running OPNsense. It’s great and will give you all the control you need. Or you can repurpose any old PC you have lying around and just add some Ethernet ports on a PCIE card.