My Underkill Home Network

There's an absolutely delightfully bonkers post doing the rounds called "My Overkill Home Network" - which is a look into what happens when a computer geek goes feral and stuffs as many Internet connected thingamajigs in a living space. We're talking professional grade, rack mounted, doubly redundant, over-specced, equipment. Overkill is underselling it.

I wondered how my home network looked in comparison. A few years ago I was complaining that routers which limit users to 128 WiFi devices weren't suitable for the average family. I'm not quite at that many IP addresses - but I'm closing in.

So, here's my attempt to map my network - with a splash of colour to explain the different protocols at play.

Created with Graphviz Visual Editor. Using a free trial of RunZero to discover devices.

Conceptually, the network is quite simple. Cable Internet → WiFi / Ethernet Router → Devices. But some of those devices have their own wireless networks, some connect to a mesh, and others over mains electrical wiring. And then it gets a bit complicated

I do have more IoT stuff than is sensible. And, annoyingly, there's no good way to design a home network for (potentially) hostile IoT devices. At least, not without getting professional gear.

This is just our personal kit. There's a guest network for visitors and WFH equipment. I also haven't mapped every ZigBee devices (a lot of lightbulbs) nor all the LoRaWAN sensors (lots of doors and windows being monitored) - and I'm completely ignoring the things controllable by BlueTooth (mini-printers and treadmills).

One thing I notice is that the 2.4GHz is ridiculously crowded. All the cheap IoT devices use it - plus it provides the private network for some equipment. I get it. 5GHz is expensive, power-hungry, and has a shorter-range. But it is a bit annoying that more devices can't make use of its plentiful spectrum - it's currently restricted to phones and laptops.

We have a tall, narrow house. So WiFi extenders have proven a bit useless. But, perhaps it is time to create a couple of IoT networks on different SSIDs?

All told, when including work devices and random old Android phones / tablets, ancient Xbox consoles, and assorted Raspberries Pi - we're pushing 60 devices with an individual IP address.

I've got to admit, this doesn't feel like "underkill"…!