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How to Build a Home Computer Network

An illustrated, practical guide to building a home network – VLANs, Wi-Fi, firewall, NAS, VPN and smart home – in the order you actually build it.
Works with any vendor – e.g. UniFi, TP-Link Omada, MikroTik or OPNsense for the network and Home Assistant, openHAB or Homey for the smart home.

QuickStep – How to Build a Home Computer Network

Contents – 20 chapters in 3 phases

Phase 1 Build

  1. Network fundamentals
  2. Reference architecture at a glance
  3. Planning and site survey
  4. The build order
  5. Choosing equipment
  6. Cabling, termination and testing
  7. Sizing PoE and UPS

Phase 2 Configure

  1. Initial setup of the gateway and controller
  2. IP addressing, DNS and DHCP
  3. VLAN segmentation
  4. Trunks, access ports and port profiles
  5. Moving to VLANs without locking yourself out
  6. Wi-Fi engineering and channel planning

Phase 3 Secure & run

  1. Firewall, security and how to prove it
  2. Secure remote access with a VPN
  3. NAS – network storage
  4. Backups and a real restore test
  5. Smart home hub and IoT
  6. Troubleshooting and rollout
  7. Updates and change management

Plus 7 appendices: IP and VLAN plan, network controller walkthrough, firewall matrix, NAS checklist, troubleshooting commands and an acceptance sheet.

Calculators for this guide:🔌 PoE Budget Calculator🔋 UPS Sizing Calculator🧭 Subnet & VLAN Planner

Download the free PDF

Light versionfor printing · 3,5 MBDark versionfor screens · 3,4 MBQuickStepwhole build on 1 page · 0,1 MB

29 pages · 20 chapters · 7 appendices · QuickStep (dark)