Software dev here. I had a few classes about networks in school but I’m not too skilled with it. I recently got into building a home network as I will soon be moving in with my gf, and want to make a reliable internet setup for the both of us. Also just want to have a bit of fun doing this. I watched a few hours of videos on YouTube to figure this out, and made a small high level drawing of how I would like to do it. Does this make sense ? Will, for exemple, my main VLAN be able to talk with my home server ? Or my IoT devices be able to talk to Home Assistant on the server ? (The text on the drawing is mostly in French, I figured it’s generic enough to be understandable, tell me if you want more explanation)
So yes, your diagram does make sense. As others mentioned, VLANs depends on how many rules you want to program. Personally, I have home automation on it’s own VLAN anyways, just for security.
You mention “reliable” here… Where, the switch fails, then what? My home setup, off the router, I have 2 switches, and my NVR connected to it. One switch is hardwired network. The other is just the wireless access points. For redundantcy, I designed my network this way, so I can work on the hard wired, and wireless works. Or she complains the wireless network isn’t working, I can just reboot the switch remotely, and not affect her hardwired work laptop, or hardwired apple TV she might be watching.
To further redundantcy, I have a Wattbox, which reboots the modem if we loose internet, as well as I have it scheduled to reboot the modem once a week for redundantcy sake. The switches are on this, so I can reboot them as well. I’m lazy, and I don’t want to go downstairs to reboot this stuff LOL. Ubiquiti has similar power management products.
Really designing a network though, think, “what do I have to do, if this fails?” as well as “is there anything I can do to minimize network downtime?”. Little things make a huge difference in how you manage your network. The less time you have to spend fixing, or troubleshooting it? The more time you can enjoy the little things, like having the issue resolved already, instead of having to get the call of “the internet isn’t working”
Good point for the redundancy, didn’t really think of it. I will try to see if having separate switches for wired/wireless fits in my budget. If it does not I will probably add it down the way since it’s a great idea. Will definitely check out the Wattbox