Why the network comes first
Every system in a modern house, the lighting processor, the audio, the cameras, the thermostats, the TVs, the control panels, lives on the network. When the router from the cable company drops a connection, all of it stumbles. We build networks the way a small business would: a proper router and firewall, managed PoE switches, ceiling-mounted access points placed from a survey, and everything in a rack with clean power.
What a proper home network includes
- Wi-Fi survey and access points. Araknis or Ubiquiti access points in the ceilings, placed so every room, the deck and the dock have strong signal, with one network name throughout.
- Managed switching. Netgear AV-line or Araknis PoE switches that power access points, cameras, panels and Dante audio, and keep AV traffic separate from the kids' downloads.
- Structured wiring. Category 6A to every TV location, desk, access point and camera, with fiber between buildings or to the dock where distance calls for it.
- The rack. A Strong rack with everything labeled, cable-managed and ventilated. The FIG. 3 drawing on our homepage is a typical layout.
- Power. WattBox power conditioning with remotely rebootable outlets and a battery backup, so a storm does not take out the gear and a locked-up device can be power-cycled from our office.
- Remote monitoring. OvrC watches the network and devices around the clock and tells us when something needs attention.
- Guest and IoT networks. Separate, isolated networks for guests and for the many small devices that should not see your laptop.
Lake houses are harder
Winnipesaukee houses sit on granite, take lightning, lose power more often than the city, and are empty for weeks at a time. We ground and protect every cable entering the building, put the network on battery, and set up remote access so we can see the house from Somerville. When you arrive on Friday night, the Wi-Fi, the cameras and the heat have been working all week.
Cameras, door stations and access
Luma and Ubiquiti cameras, DoorBird and Ubiquiti door stations, and Yale or Schlage locks ride on the same network and appear on the RTI panels. Recordings stay local on a recorder in the rack, viewable from your phone anywhere.
Where we build networks
Greater Boston and the Lake Winnipesaukee region, including Alton, Alton Bay, Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough, Meredith, Center Harbor.
