Network design for new sailing yacht

Product Discussion
1

Hi, I’m designing a network for a new sailing yacht. The client would like to have 2x Starlink, 2x 5G cellular and 2x WiFi as WAN connections. I’m recommending Peplink MAX HD1 Dome Pro 5G units for cellular and WiFi as WAN given that they will mount the antenna on the mast. The client also would like two Starlink flat HP dishes with the Maritime plan. We will spec a Peplink router, maybe a Balance Two, as the hub for managing the network and a gigabit switch for the bulk of the LAN including WiFi access points and direct connections to devices. I have a few questions I’m hoping this forum can advise on …

  1. What Peplink router is best for the hub? I was thinking a Balance Two to take advantage of its speed and two WAN ports. I would then configure additional v-WAN ports as necessary. Does this make sense? Are there other Peplink routers that would be better?

  2. I understand that I can use 1 SIM injector to power both the MAX HD1 Dome Pro units. So both domes will be connected to the SIM injector with ethernet, then an additional ethernet jumper would go to WAN port on the Peplink router. I was also planning to use synergy mode for managing both domes. Can I use one WAN port for both domes? Are there any configuration best practices we should consider?

Thanks in advance. I always find this forum very helpful!

Best regards
Gary

3

Balance 310X. With a 3 vWAN license. Newer more powerful platform, more throughput.
Or SDX pro and run a next gen firewall virtual appliance on it for user traffic management too.

Don’t power the domes with the SIM injector - its a single point of failure, get the non POE SIM injector mini instead for SIM management and spend the savings on your core switches. Power the domes from the switches or with dedicated injectors - whatever works best.

3 Likes
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Thank you for the thoughtful response. Very helpful.