I say "hotspot" rather than anything specific because I'm open for whatever device does what I need.
I currently have wifi through the standard FiOS Actiontec router. Wifi isn't the center of my network: everything that requires good throughput (a couple of Macs, a smart TV, etc.) is wired via Ethernet. Wifi is reserved for devices that can't be hardwired: two iPhones, an iPad, and various "Internet of Everything" devices (three Nests, a couple of smart plugs, smart switches, an irrigation system, and so on).
I'm looking for a second wifi access point for several reasons: for one, I've maxed out the Actiontec's MAC address filtering--I can't add any more devices. Also, for security purposes I'd like to have the IoT devices firewalled on their own network, separate from my Macs and iPhones (you can't run more than 1 wifi network on the Actiontec). Also, I would perhaps like a "guest" network, since I can't give anyone access to my current network without dropping the MAC address filtering (meaning I have to log onto the router, get to that setting, stopping MAC address filtering, which paralyzes the whole network for up to 30 seconds, then reversing the whole process when they're done). My thought is that the guest network would remain off, unless someone came over and needed it, then they'd only need a simple password. And lastly, my smart irrigation system is in the basement on the opposite side of the house from the router. It gets access, but the signal is only fair, so putting an access point near it would help.
I generally don't stream video or do anything data intensive via wifi so I'm not really looking for a fast access point as much as a flexible one that's quick and easy to tweak. At least some additional Ethernet connectivity would be necessary: I'll have to attach the router (or whatever) to one of the existing Ethernet cable ends, which means that the device currently connected there would need an Ethernet connection from the new device.
Any thoughts?
I currently have wifi through the standard FiOS Actiontec router. Wifi isn't the center of my network: everything that requires good throughput (a couple of Macs, a smart TV, etc.) is wired via Ethernet. Wifi is reserved for devices that can't be hardwired: two iPhones, an iPad, and various "Internet of Everything" devices (three Nests, a couple of smart plugs, smart switches, an irrigation system, and so on).
I'm looking for a second wifi access point for several reasons: for one, I've maxed out the Actiontec's MAC address filtering--I can't add any more devices. Also, for security purposes I'd like to have the IoT devices firewalled on their own network, separate from my Macs and iPhones (you can't run more than 1 wifi network on the Actiontec). Also, I would perhaps like a "guest" network, since I can't give anyone access to my current network without dropping the MAC address filtering (meaning I have to log onto the router, get to that setting, stopping MAC address filtering, which paralyzes the whole network for up to 30 seconds, then reversing the whole process when they're done). My thought is that the guest network would remain off, unless someone came over and needed it, then they'd only need a simple password. And lastly, my smart irrigation system is in the basement on the opposite side of the house from the router. It gets access, but the signal is only fair, so putting an access point near it would help.
I generally don't stream video or do anything data intensive via wifi so I'm not really looking for a fast access point as much as a flexible one that's quick and easy to tweak. At least some additional Ethernet connectivity would be necessary: I'll have to attach the router (or whatever) to one of the existing Ethernet cable ends, which means that the device currently connected there would need an Ethernet connection from the new device.
Any thoughts?
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