- Setting up a homelab begins with proper networking; MikroTik L009UiGS-RM is chosen for multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports and PoE capabilities.
- Before configuration, identify ISP setup: authentication method (IPoE or PPPoE) and IPv4 type (public vs. private/CGNAT).
- For PPPoE with VLAN, clone ISP router's MAC address on MikroTik's WAN port and create VLAN interface before PPPoE client setup.
- WiFi management uses separate wAP access point with PoE; RouterOS CAPsMAN centralizes configuration for multiple access points.
- Bufferbloat causes latency spikes during network saturation; implement FQ-CoDel queue discipline at 90-95% of line rate to reduce delays.