Network Installation & Cable Management

Consumer routers are designed for small apartments, not the larger homes common on Martha's Vineyard, and they simply can't handle the demands of modern smart homes. A professional network installation provides enterprise-grade infrastructure with multiple access points strategically placed for complete coverage, managed switches that prioritize traffic for streaming and video calls, and proper network segmentation to keep your smart home devices secure. With dozens of connected devices—security cameras, smart thermostats, lighting systems, entertainment equipment—your network is the backbone of everything. We use UniFi equipment that's designed for reliability and scalability, with centralized management and monitoring. The result is seamless Wi-Fi throughout your entire property, fast wired connections where needed, and a system that won't slow down or drop connections during peak usage.

UniFi is an enterprise-grade networking ecosystem from Ubiquiti that delivers professional performance at a reasonable price point. We use UniFi exclusively because it's proven to be the most reliable, manageable, and scalable solution for residential and commercial installations. UniFi systems include access points for Wi-Fi coverage, switches for connecting devices, gateways for network security and traffic management, and even integrated security cameras through UniFi Protect. Everything is managed through an intuitive controller interface that lets us monitor your network health, identify issues remotely, and make adjustments without a site visit. UniFi equipment is known for exceptional reliability—these are commercial-grade components that run 24/7 for years. Plus, the system scales easily as your needs grow, whether you're adding a guest house or expanding your security camera system.

Absolutely! That's exactly what professional network design is for. We conduct a site survey to identify coverage challenges unique to your property—whether it's thick stone walls in historic homes, long distances to detached structures, or outdoor entertainment areas. For main homes, we strategically place multiple UniFi access points to create seamless coverage with no dead zones. For guest houses, pool houses, and outbuildings, we typically run underground fiber or ethernet cables to provide dedicated network connections. We also install weatherproof outdoor access points for patios, pools, docks, and yards. The system uses mesh technology and intelligent roaming, so your devices automatically connect to the strongest signal as you move around the property. Many of our Martha's Vineyard clients have achieved full property coverage including beachfront areas, gardens, and driveways.

Professional cable management means every ethernet cable, fiber line, and power connection is routed cleanly, labeled clearly, and secured properly. We install network equipment in professional-grade racks with organized patch panels—not tangled messes of cables behind furniture. Every cable is labeled at both ends so you (or any future technician) knows exactly what it connects to. Cables are bundled neatly, routed through conduit where appropriate, and secured with proper clips and ties. This matters for several reasons: it prevents accidental disconnections, allows proper airflow to prevent overheating, makes troubleshooting infinitely easier, simplifies future upgrades, and maintains the aesthetics of your mechanical spaces. In new construction, we coordinate with builders to conceal wiring before walls are closed. For existing homes, we route cables discreetly through basements, crawlspaces, and attics to minimize visibility.

A properly designed UniFi network can easily handle 100+ devices without performance degradation. Modern homes typically have 30-50 connected devices between smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, streaming devices, smart speakers, security cameras, doorbell cameras, thermostats, lighting controllers, irrigation systems, and more. Consumer routers often struggle with more than 15-20 devices, but UniFi's enterprise architecture is built for this. Each access point can support dozens of simultaneous connections, and the system intelligently distributes devices across multiple access points to balance the load. We also implement VLANs (virtual networks) to segment traffic—your security cameras on one network, smart home devices on another, guest Wi-Fi isolated from your private network. This improves both performance and security, ensuring bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K streaming or video conferencing don't impact your home automation responsiveness.

We can often improve existing networks significantly without replacing everything. During our assessment, we evaluate your current infrastructure—existing ethernet cabling, equipment capabilities, and coverage gaps. Sometimes we can add UniFi access points to expand coverage while utilizing existing wiring. Other times we upgrade just the core equipment (router, switches) while keeping the cable infrastructure. For older homes with no existing network wiring, we specialize in discreet retrofits that add professional-grade connectivity without major renovation. We're honest about what needs replacing versus what can be upgraded. Many Martha's Vineyard homes have some existing wiring from previous installations that we can leverage. The goal is to give you enterprise-level performance and reliability while being mindful of your budget and minimizing disruption to your home.

Network security is built into every system we install. UniFi gateways include enterprise-grade firewalls that block unauthorized access while allowing legitimate traffic. We implement network segmentation (VLANs) to isolate different device types—your computers and phones on a secure network, smart home devices on a separate network, and guest Wi-Fi completely isolated from your private systems. This means if someone compromises a smart bulb, they can't access your financial data. We configure automatic security updates, enable intrusion detection and prevention systems, and set up secure remote access so you can manage your network safely from off-island. Our MV Care plans include ongoing security monitoring and firmware updates. We also provide guest networks with appropriate restrictions, so visitors can use your Wi-Fi without accessing your security cameras, home automation, or personal files.

Network downtime can impact everything from your entertainment systems to your security cameras, which is why we take reliability seriously. All our installations include UniFi's cloud-based monitoring, which alerts us to potential issues before they become problems. Through our MV Care support plans, we provide guaranteed response times and 24/7/365 emergency support options. Many issues can be diagnosed and resolved remotely without a site visit—we can reboot equipment, adjust settings, or update firmware from our office. For hardware failures, we stock common replacement parts and can typically resolve issues within hours, not days. We also implement redundancy where appropriate—dual internet connections for critical applications, backup power for network equipment, and failover configurations. Being local to Martha's Vineyard means we can be on-site quickly when needed, unlike off-island providers who might take days to respond.