613377

Perhaps you meant CAT6A? These are spec’d for up to 10Gbps and 100m (500mhz). Whereas CAT6 can deliver similar performance but only up to 55m (250mhz) - I’m sure it’s possible to match the performance but if you’re looking at 10g speeds, it’d be best to go 6A (fiber would be my recommendation). 6A will also be shielded adding to the overall diameter.

Here’s a great article that breaks down the different cables: https://www.cablek.com/fr_CA/cat5-vs-cat5e-vs-cat6-vs-cat7-vs-cat8-what-are-their-differences

As previously mentioned, implement QoS and/or consider a second ISP connection or upgrade current plan (speed)...YouTube + Discord shouldn't consume that much bandwidth but that depends on what your current plan allows.

I have a very similar setup...

FiOS ingress in the basement. I converted a storage space below the stairs with a 1/4 rack which holds a 6E patch panel, PoE switch, router (OPNsense), UPS and a SFF server.

I have 6E ran to all three floors and six exterior runs for motion lights and cameras. The exterior runs have a surge protector at the egress point and the cable transitions to 6E burial where I've ran within innerduct. The switch, lights, cameras, and APs are all Unifi with a Unifi controller. The router is a super micro sys-302 (fatless).

My OPNsense is configured for multiple VLANs (IoT, Guest etc...) with a VPN server and Unbound (ad blocker). It works great...no issues however, I don't have any parental controls enforced but rather I send all my router/firewall logs to my server (review and refine firewall rules). With Unbound, filtering is feasible to block porn and others...alternatively a UDM-Pro should be able to provide similar functionality.

I have a similar setup but used a bird house on top of a pole (4x4 with 2x4 notched out to hide the cable.

I grounded the cat 6A came at the ingress/egress point.

Outdoor APs… take a look at Unifi.

Might save some $$, if you forgo the switch. Connect the Mac directly to the NAS. If your nas has another nic, you can connect that to your existing switch.

Yes!

WiFi 6 also includes WPA3. WiFi 6E’s major difference is merely the 6GHz bandwidth… you’ll likely be fine with 6…check if you have any devices that support 6Ghz or WiFi 6E. If not save the money and wait for WiFi 7.

Run conduit and pull additional fibers, if needed, in the future.

WiFi 6 vs 6E. The biggest difference is the 6GHz bands. If you have devices and or a need for 6GHz sure otherwise 6 works fine or you can always wait but there will always be something in the future.