Guest Wireless Network

Why would you use a Guest network on your WiFi?

Well for guest naturally, as well as attaching IOT devices to a network separate from you usual home network.

If you have wireless devices and sensors, the guest wireless network can be used easily.

For example, the NEST thermostats can be attached to the 2.4 mhz Guest network if the ping and strength are OK. The Rachio irrigation controller also works here. Smartplugs such as TP-Link, work as well.

Smart speakers such as Amazon Alexa devices (echo, dot) can be attached to the guest network as well.

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Lawn Irrigation controller

We took out an old controller and replaced it with a wireless device.

This uses a wi-fi connection with a full-control smartphone app. Our yard has 16 stations that can be individually controlled via the app. Each station can be separated or combined in the schedule.

The controller gathers weather information from local sites and will not water if either it will rain or the ground is too wet.

We have used this controller for 3 years and easily can recommend.

Smartplugs

Around the house, there are many devices that may benefit from Smarthome technology such as a smartplug.

Lights inside and out are good candidates for control. For example, Christmas lights attached to the gutter, that additionally can be LED’s and change color.

Fountains are another device that be controlled and put on a schedule to run while you are awake.

TP-Link makes a very nice smartplug for around $20, that uses a smartphone app from Kasa. Wyze also makes similar plugs.

Water Leaks

Water is great but if it is unexpected, not so good. Ability to be notified when you sink or refrigerator is leaking is great.

The water heater is another almost silent leaker. When it goes, you do not want to see a river running down your driveway.

We use the Samsung Smartthings hub with several water sensors attached under sink, refrigerator, washer and water heater. Other than changing batteries rarely, they give me some sense of comfort.

The hub is useful for other sensors as well.

VLAN’s

We have a Netgear VLAN that I run some of my wired IOT devices through. The Smartthings hub is a natural, as well as cameras. These are usually wired and use IP connections. The VLAN switch segregates traffic away from you network.

As far as wireless such as Nest thermostats and Rachio lawn system, I utilize a guest channel at present.

Stacey Higginbotham has a great IOT podcast at https://iotpodcast.com/

Internet of Things (IOT)

What do you think about IOT in business and residential situations? It can be helpful but may be insecure.

Most routers have a guest channel that be used to segment the wireless devices such as Smartplugs that use wi-fi.

Use of a VLAN or virtual LAN, may segment wired IOT activity. What is your long term plan?

A newer router such as MESH type has promise to help segregate guest and this IOT traffic.

Perhaps a Prosumer router such as Edgerouter Lite which allows 2 separate LAN’s, one for personal and one for IoT devices would help your goal of separation of the streams.