Grandstream ecosystem or Unifi or Omada?

General Networking
1

I have put together what I could find as the closest components from each vender to replace my Netgear Orbi 3 Satellite system with a couple of un-managed switches. The GS package is significantly cheaper and appears to provide similar functionality. The GWN7822P switch is a big money saver, but is also new and I can’t find any feedback.

If I go with GS am I missing any features (my network load is listed below)?
My proposed setup is as follows:

GS $700 Total (for items below)

$80 GWN7003 Gigabit Router
2x 2.5 Gigabit SFP ports and 9x Gigabit
Ethernet ports

$410 GWN7822P Layer 3 Multi-Gigabit Network Switch
4 10G SFP+ Ports, (16x 1G, 8x 2.5G) POE +,++

$210 2x$105 GWN7665 WiFi 6E AP 2x2

Unifi $1310 Total (for items below)

$130 Cloud Gateway Ultra (Router?)

$800 Pro Max 24 PoE
Layer 3 switch
(2) 10G SFP+ ports,
(16) GbE ports including (8) PoE+ and (8) PoE++,
(8) 2.5 GbE PoE++ ports

$380 2x$190 U7 Pro 2x2

Omada $1460 Total (for items below)

$400 ER8411 VPN Router with 10G Ports
Needed since switch is only L2+

$720 SG3428XPP-M2 L2+ Managed Switch
4× 10G SFP+ Slots
16× 2.5G PoE+ Ports
8× 2.5G PoE++ Ports

$340 2x$170 EAP772 WiFi 7 2x2

I am moving and will have:

Synology NAS w/BU NAS
Home Assistant w/ various IoT devices/sensors
10 IP Cameras
35 WiFi - Matter Leviton switches/dimmers (no WiFi polling)
6 Hardwired TVs
1-2 Desktop PCs
3 Wireless PCs
2-3 APs (it’s a Quad level house)

I wanted some future proofing with 10GB lines between my desktop and NAS and between the two NAS’s.
GS does not have WiFi 7 APs (may change on the 19th) so I went with 6E but Omada and Unifi only have high end 6E APs so WiFi 7 was cheaper.
Since my admin vlan on the 10GB line will be inter vlan I had to choose a higher end Omada router since the comparable switch is only L2+

I am not sure if each component from each vendor is comparable so any help or advice would be appreciated!

1 Like
2

This is looking pretty good. On the Grandstream side I would switch out the regular router for a GCC6010 or GCC6011. It’ll add $100-$200 but the functionality you’ll get is greatly enhanced from a security side.

3

Thanks for the reply! I was considering the GCC after I watched your review but definitely didn’t need the PBX and I was not sure how much more security was provided with the non-subscription features compared to the 7003 features.

I was surprised how close Omada was to Unifi in cost.

Thanks again for your feedback.

1 Like
4

TP Link sent me some new gear – videos coming in the next couple weeks. They had features before UniFi – but of the three, IMO – TP Link has the weakest firewall rules. You can get a lifetime subscription to the security services for Grandstream for as low as $249 right now – this still keeps you below the others. If you don’t need the advanced security – you could go with the GWN router and likely be OK. I just like having the advanced security. You could also use a Synology router at your head end. They have the best content filtering/parental control of any devices we used.

5

I have not used the GWN782X line yet, but all their other managed switches have been rock solid. I have about 60 managed switches in service now and am installing more all the time. I have several systems with the GWN781x line in service with 10G backbones and they have been flawless. I run them in my office as well as my home and would not consider anything else at this point. They just work. I do want to try the GWN782x line and will soon. As for the router, I would second Willie’s point about the added security the GCC offers, and you do not have to activate the PBX portion if you do not need it. Their AP’s have been solid as well. The only ones I have that have failed was due to direct lighting hits to the property and it took out switches, AP’s TV’s and even some other equipment such as Fire Alarm systems and etc. Performance has been great. I do not have any recent experience to speak of with current TP-Link or Unifi. I have used both in the past and then moved to GS and have not looked back.

3 Likes
6

Dave - Thanks for your feedback! This is the first time using a managed switch, so it is reassuring to hear of your experience. I took Willie’s suggestion about Synology and bought their router. The parental controls are just what I need with my 12-year-old! I have heard great things about the APs (which is where my journey started). Looking forward to getting this all setup in the New Year.

1 Like
7

Good luck with your build out. Come back here for any assistance.

2 Likes
8

@Carl10 I know a lot of people and @DaveR is a really good dude.

2 Likes
9

My vendor is listing the GWN7670 as coming soon. This just showed up today I think. So yes maybe they will be available after the 19th.

  • 3.6Gbps aggregate wireless throughput, 5Gbps aggregate wired throughout
  • Dual-band 2x2:2 MUMIMO with DL/UL OFDMA technology
  • Up to 175-meter coverage range
    9cb97544-dcfb-43f8-bf55-87c112400833
1 Like
10

Thanks for the heads up. I will have to change my 6e’s for these…they are only $10 more.

11

Yep, not a bad price for them at all. The data sheet does not show 6GHz in the Frequency Bands. So if you are looking for that you may want to hold off.

12

I’d hold off on anything TP Link now that there could be a ban.

2 Likes
13

I finally have a response from my TP-Link rep about the ban – but I’m waiting to hear how much I can publicly share.