My smart TV really got way faster when I blocked the ads https://www.makeuseof.com/my-smart-tv-really-got-way-faster-when-i-blocked-the-ads/
Built-in pi-hole would be nice. I'm not going to even have a router at the apartment. Each unit has its own wifi node on the building's network. I haven't explored ways -if any- to use that wifi as a lan.
Ah... We ran afoul of the building IT dept when we installed our own router in my in-laws unit.
They came up to investigate, but when they saw it, they just said, "No problem, but of course if you have issues, we can't help with custom setups."
Roger that.
Gem:
### Executable Solution
#### Hardware Required
1. **Wi-Fi Travel Router / Bridge:** GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) or TP-Link TL-WR902AC.
2. **5-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet Switch:** TP-Link TL-SG105 or NETGEAR GS305 (needed because mini travel routers typically feature only one or two LAN ports).
3. **Ethernet Cables (Cat 5e or Cat 6):** 3 standard patch cables.
---
---
#### Architecture Overview
```
[Building Wi-Fi Node]
) ) ) (Wireless Connection)
[Travel Router (Repeater / WISP Mode)]
| (Ethernet Cable via LAN Port)
[Unmanaged 5-Port Switch]
|-- (Ethernet) --> [OOMA VoIP Device]
|-- (Ethernet) --> [Zigbee Smart Hub]
```
---
#### Step-by-Step Implementation
1. **Configure the Travel Router (WISP / Repeater Mode):**
* Power on the travel router near the Wi-Fi node.
* Connect a phone or laptop to the travel router's default Wi-Fi network.
* Access the admin panel (`192.168.8.1` for GL.iNet, `192.168.0.1` or `tplinkwifi.net` for TP-Link).
* Set the operating mode to **WISP** or **Repeater / Client Mode**.
* Scan for the apartment building's Wi-Fi SSID and enter the network password.
* *Captive Portal Handling (if applicable):* If the facility uses a splash page requiring agreement terms, complete authentication on the browser page that pops up via the connected phone/laptop.
2. **Establish the Physical Private LAN:**
* Connect an Ethernet patch cable from the **LAN port** of the travel router to any port on the 5-Port Unmanaged Switch.
* Plug the **OOMA VoIP device** Ethernet WAN port into another port on the switch.
* Plug the **Zigbee Hub** Ethernet port into a third port on the switch.
3. **Verification:**
* Confirm the travel router LED indicates an active Internet uplink.
* Verify the OOMA device status light turns solid blue (indicating successful registration and IP assignment).
* Verify the Zigbee Hub network LED indicates an active local connection and WAN access.