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diff --git a/posts/network-setup-2025.md b/posts/network-setup-2025.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9e6af7 --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/network-setup-2025.md @@ -0,0 +1,69 @@ +# My OpenBSD Home Network Setup + +2025-08-25 + +I recently moved to an area with more internet provider options, all of which were *not* satellite-based. This change allowed me leave my current provider (Starlink) and also freed my network from being locked behind CGNAT. The jump from ~150Mbps to 1Gbps has been fantastic, but the real benefit in this switch has been the ability to overhaul my home network setup. + +My simple setup includes: + +- Custom OpenBSD router +- Self-hosting my own web server +- Eeros setup as "dumb" APs + +I plan to write-up an updated guide for building out my simple OpenBSD router (the older article can be [found here](/posts/openbsd-router)) and another tutorial for setting up an `httpd` web server on a Raspberry Pi 400 running OpenBSD, but today we will just look at the basics of my personal home network. + +## The Setup + +I know a lot of people have their networking devices beautifully organized, +allowing them to display all the hardware "out in the open". I'm not one of those people. +My network hardware is stored inside one of my basement utility closets, which +sits between my main basement and the room that houses my furnace and hot water tank. Classy, I know. + +So please excuse the "dungeon" look in the photo below. + +<figure> +<img src="/public/images/network-2025.jpg" alt="Photo of my network setup. +Shows a modem plugged into a small OpenBSD router, and a Raspberry Pi 400 +plugged into that router via ethernet"/> +<figcaption>My network setup. Main modem is connected to the OpenBSD router, +which is the gatekeeper for everything else on the network.</figcaption> +</figure> + +Let me further example the picture above: + +1. The black device on the far left is my ISP's modem +2. The smaller black device in the back is a fanless mini PC (Intel Celeron J1900 4xi225V NIC) I picked up off Aliexpress. Currently running OpenBSD, acting as my main router/gateway +3. The Raspberry Pi 400 on the right side of the screen is my self-hosted web + server (you're visiting a site on that server right now!) +4. **Bonus**: There is an older 32" TV off the to far right side. This is + connected to the Raspberry Pi in case I need to perform any "onsite" +debugging or tweaking that can't be done remotely + +I will also give a break down of the colored ethernet cords: + +1. Yellow is the "internet" being fed from the modem to my router +2. Blue connects to my Eero Gateway (not pictured), which is setup in the main + basement +3. Red connects to the Raspberry Pi server +4. White connects to my Xbox Series S (not pictured), also setup in the main + basement + +## Stats & Improvements + +I consistently get ~900Mbps from devices connected directly to the OpenBSD +router, and ~280Mbps at the furthest part of my house (connected wirelessly to the 3rd +Eero mesh AP). Not too shabby. + +I would love to replace my Eero APs with mesh devices running something like +OpenWRT, since these Amazon devices still "phone home". These Eeros where all I had on hand, +so I'm just dealing with it for now... + +(I do have one D-Link DIR-878 running OpenWRT already - so maybe just grabbing +a second one of those could work?) + +## Closing Remarks + +That's pretty much the gist of it. I plan to get those more details guides +posted soon, now that the craziness from the move has settled down. Hopefully +those can be a little more helpful for anyone interesed in setting up +a similar OpenBSD-based network. |