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Hi and thanks Bart.
I'm also a "veteran" - now retired several years with 40+ in IT, mostly analysis, design, a lot of database work (Oracle, etc), ETL, systems architecture, business analysis and process design. Some coding - Fortran IV, C, PL/SQL, etc. Data warehousing, automated warehouse systems, finance, general business processes, etc... All UK based.

Unfortunately TP-Link is a Chinese company, like Huawei. That's a security risk I won't take and a regime I won't support if I can avoid it. Regretable because TP-Link's approach looks interesting.

Looks like I'll be trying the Ubiquiti kit with a UDM-Pro etc. and go from there. Might then learn some networking skills in slower time as needs arise.

Best wishes,    Ian

Hi Bart, and thank you for your helpful reply.
Did you start your "month's learning" from a no/little networking knowledge base or is that a month to tune in to OPNSense from a networking background?

What's your opinion of the Ubiquiti kit? Some seem to have issues with it's reliability and lack of support and missing features.

I think I like the concept of a SDN approach - but lack the networking knowledge/experience to know whether it's a good approach or not. Conceptually it sounds an improvement maybe.

If the Ubiquiti UDM-Pro kit/software is not too limiting, then the idea of reducing learning, implementation and maintenance load appeals.

Any recommended reading/books (additional to the 2 links you gave)?

Regards, Ian BJ

Hi folks.
I've a lot of IT experience but very little Networking knowledge. I want to replace my basic home LAN with new kit and a good, pretty secure network. I'll have about 20 Cat 6 wired ports + WiFi. I would like to introduce good security, network level VPN, VLANs (for less secure devices, etc.) and VOIP capability. I have a NAS and may add security cams and will be streaming AV. Time and ease of management are important to me.

I am considering either going with
a) Ubiquiti UDM-Pro + their 24 port PoE switch + AP(s) + a new modem (Draytek Vigor 166?) [for UK - BT/Openreach FTTC broadband] ; Or
b) OPNSense + hardware (modem, router and switch, APs ). But I realise that'll mean quite a lot of learning and time to configure and manage, so...

Can you please give me ballpark ideas for:

1. How long would it take me to get a fair understanding of the Networking principles etc. and skills etc., and then to set up an OPNSense network for the above scenario?  [ How long's a piece of string? Well - yes, but some idea would be useful. ]

2. Are there any Networking books etc. that you'd advise reading first, additional to the OPNSense documentation (and Forum + web articles)?  [I like to understand what I'm doing and why, rather than just follow formulae/directions.]

Many thanks,    Ian