Editing Home Wi-Fi (section)

==Mikrotik==
Linux based network appliances from Eastern Europe. Cheap, reliable and power efficient. By no means easily configurable because of the sheer amount of knobs and dials that are available for tweaking and optimizing. Depending on the hardware model you choose, the device can be optimized for switching, routing, Wifi or any combination of these three components. 
Mikrotik makes two different software versions:
* RouterOS - Full fledged VPN endpoint/router/switch/access point OS. Some features depend on the model Routerboard you buy. 
* SwitchOS - Offers simple web-based configuration. Only for layer2 stuff: Does offer VLAN support, port based bandwith control, port mirroring and simple ACLs. Does not offer routing protocols, no Wifi configuration, no DHCP/DNS/other services, no firewalling, no NATing, no mangle rules etc. 
When possible, avoid the SwitchOS based devices as the RouterOS devices cost just a little more but offer way more features.
Mikrotik offers a virtual appliance that works well in an ESXi or Hyper-V hypervisor. The free version of this virtual appliance is limited to 1Mbit throughput but fully functional. For example: it can serve as a Wireless Controller without issues.

You could buy a Mikrotik CRS125-24G-1S-2HnD-IN (24 port gigabit switch (+ 1 SFP) with built-in router and 802.11n access point) to use at home. Set it up as your domestic gateway device, firewall, VPN endpoint (for when you're not at home or to connect to a similar device at a relative/friend), wireless controller for central management of the access points throughout your home (have a look at the RBwAPG-5HacT2HnD-BE for a small and fast AC model) and have ports to spare for your homelab equipment.