Overview
A server is only as good as the network it runs on. When I started building my homelab, I also wanted to upgrade my home network from a basic consumer setup into something closer to an enterprise-style environment.
I chose the TP-Link Omada ecosystem because it provides centralized management, reliable networking hardware, PoE support, and room to grow.
Network Hardware
My current network setup includes:
- TP-Link Omada ER707-M2 router
- TP-Link Omada SG2210XMP-M2 managed PoE switch
- TP-Link Omada EAP770 WiFi 7 access point
- TP-Link Omada EAP720 access point
The router handles routing and firewall duties, while the managed switch provides network connectivity and PoE power for access points.
Why Omada?
I wanted more control over my network than a typical consumer router provides.
With Omada I can:
- Manage devices from one interface
- Monitor connected clients
- Configure networking settings
- Expand the network later
- Learn concepts used in professional environments
This gives me a platform where I can experiment with networking concepts instead of just plugging devices into a router and forgetting about them.
Future Improvements
Some things I want to continue learning and implementing:
- VLAN segmentation
- Better monitoring
- Network diagrams
- More advanced firewall rules
- Additional access points and switches
What This Project Taught Me
Building a network has taught me that good infrastructure is about planning.
A good network should be:
- Reliable
- Secure
- Documented
- Easy to troubleshoot
- Ready to expand
This network is the foundation that everything else in my homelab depends on.