Design for home network, Router & Switch recommendations

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Design for home network, Router & Switch recommendations

BPInside

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#195341 16-Apr-2016 16:55

I have read through a number of the posts in this forum and was wanting some recommendations on the following setup for a new house build:

Setting up a central cupboard with all the networking, fibre connection and audio requirements so I'm looking at putting in a 6u or 9u wall rack unit to house the network side of things. Server, home theater will all be stored here.

What I'm wanting to know is what you would recommend as far as Router and Switch as I have been going around in circles and overloading myself on different ideas.

Will likely run some cat6 to wireless AP's in the roof so trying not to get an all in one unit as they are usually not as good I have found.

Router:

Something that is more than suitable for high speed fibre 200/200, I have seen the Mikrotik RB3011UiAS-RM with a faster CPU ( does this make a big difference?) but I don't necessarily need that many ports on a router as I will have 24 ports on the switch. Wanting to setup a VPN with a friends network as well.

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is smaller I would prefer rack mount but this would still tuck away nicely

Switch:

Have been looking a managed switch but wondering if that is overkill for home use, quite like the idea of having QOS setup as there is a lot going on in the home network.

One I have been looking at is the TP-Link SG3424 again I would like recommendations that fit with the whole setup

Hopefully that makes sense, I would appreciate any feedback you have even if its just to say why the hell would you want / need to do that at home, I don't like to cut corners just to save a buck :)

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#1534064 16-Apr-2016 17:18

Paging Michael

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

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#1534067 16-Apr-2016 17:23

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is entirely suitable, and REQUIRES a switch.

If you want a 24-port switch, your only choice is managed or unmanaged.

Unmanaged: The TP-Link SG3424 (aprx $350) would be as good as any.

Managed: I'd go for the Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch ES-24-250W (twice the price) - but I'm always into overkill

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BPInside

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#1534071 16-Apr-2016 17:35

Sideface:

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is entirely suitable, and REQUIRES a switch.

If you want a 24-port switch, your only choice is managed or unmanaged.

Unmanaged: The TP-Link SG3424 (aprx $350) would be as good as any.

Managed: I'd go for the Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch ES-24-250W (twice the price) - but I'm always into overkill

Thanks for the reply, I believe the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch? or were you just referring to the lack of POE :)

Ubiquiti ES-24-LITE EdgeSwitch 24 Port Lite would be the equivalent excluding POE correct? keeping the ubiquiti brands together.

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#1534080 16-Apr-2016 17:54

BPInside:

Sideface:

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is entirely suitable, and REQUIRES a switch.

If you want a 24-port switch, your only choice is managed or unmanaged. <snip>

Thanks for the reply, I believe the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch? or were you just referring to the lack of POE :)

Ubiquiti ES-24-LITE EdgeSwitch 24 Port Lite would be the equivalent excluding POE correct? Keeping the ubiquiti brands together.

My bad. Confusion over model numbers.

Yes, the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch, and would be quite suitable if you don't want PoE.

In my biased view, if you have a home network as sophisticated as what you seem to want, you need PoE / multiple WAPs as well.

If it was my dream network - which it is not - I'd get an EdgeSwitch with PoE - but I'm always in overkill mode.

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JWR

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#1534085 16-Apr-2016 18:03

BPInside:

Sideface:

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is entirely suitable, and REQUIRES a switch.

If you want a 24-port switch, your only choice is managed or unmanaged.

Unmanaged: The TP-Link SG3424 (aprx $350) would be as good as any.

Managed: I'd go for the Ubiquiti EdgeSwitch ES-24-250W (twice the price) - but I'm always into overkill

Thanks for the reply, I believe the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch? or were you just referring to the lack of POE :)

Ubiquiti ES-24-LITE EdgeSwitch 24 Port Lite would be the equivalent excluding POE correct? keeping the ubiquiti brands together.

I have a TP-Link SG2424.

TP-Link call it a smart switch. It has a lot of management features - the generally useful ones. It just doesn't have the some of the abilities of a high-end managed switch.

It is still overkill for most home networks. But, the price is pretty good. So why not have the features?

Also, TP-Link have a PoE version i.e. TL-SG2424P.

The SG-TL34 series is marketed as a managed switch.

JWR

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#1534087 16-Apr-2016 18:08

Sideface:

BPInside:

Sideface:

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is entirely suitable, and REQUIRES a switch.

If you want a 24-port switch, your only choice is managed or unmanaged. <snip>

Thanks for the reply, I believe the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch? or were you just referring to the lack of POE :)

Ubiquiti ES-24-LITE EdgeSwitch 24 Port Lite would be the equivalent excluding POE correct? Keeping the ubiquiti brands together.

My bad. Confusion over model numbers.

Yes, the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch, and would be quite suitable if you don't want PoE.

In my biased view, if you have a home network as sophisticated as what you seem to want, you need PoE / multiple WAPs as well.

If it was my dream network - which it is not - I'd get an EdgeSwitch with PoE - but I'm always in overkill mode.

I am not a big fan of TP-Link's model numbering system.

Quite confusing.

BPInside

34 posts

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#1534090 16-Apr-2016 18:12

Sideface:

BPInside:

Sideface:

The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is entirely suitable, and REQUIRES a switch.

If you want a 24-port switch, your only choice is managed or unmanaged. <snip>

Thanks for the reply, I believe the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch? or were you just referring to the lack of POE :)

Ubiquiti ES-24-LITE EdgeSwitch 24 Port Lite would be the equivalent excluding POE correct? Keeping the ubiquiti brands together.

My bad. Confusion over model numbers.

Yes, the TP-Link SG3424 is a managed switch, and would be quite suitable if you don't want PoE.

In my biased view, if you have a home network as sophisticated as what you seem to want, you need PoE / multiple WAPs as well.

If it was my dream network - which it is not - I'd get an EdgeSwitch with PoE - but I'm always in overkill mode.

Thats true, even though I said I don't like cutting corners, using the included POE injectors would save potentially 50% on the switch price correct? Always better to have all in one and overkill is always awesome!

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#1534109 16-Apr-2016 18:31

BPInside:

<snip>

Thats true, even though I said I don't like cutting corners, using the included POE injectors would save potentially 50% on the switch price correct?

Always better to have all in one and overkill is always awesome!

Yes, you could use the PoE injectors supplied with the (Ubiquiti?) WAPs, and save lots of money, at the cost of complexity.

But the overkill version is a lot tidier.

EDIT: I have 5 Ubiquiti WAPs (various models in mint condition, boxed, near-new, & surplus to requirements)

PM me for details if interested. I'm a compulsive WAP collector.

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hio77

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#1534115 16-Apr-2016 18:49

For wireless APs ild go XI3s or if you can get them on the promotion currently running the E400s Just personally, for pricepoint to features, ease of use etc they one up the Ubiquiti Although Ubiquiti gear is still seriously decent and you would not be disappointed with it.

Switch, A managed switch could be handy for some extra networking stuff, however most basic clients i would hang off a cheap switch and save managed switch to do the important stuff - Unless that 1gbit uplink becomes a bottleneck ofcourse, I know the pain of this too well. I have a bunch of TPlinks scattered around the house, a few of the older model that seems to have been renewed with a more rounded version. I actually have Two of them, still sitting in boxes in my room... Never know when you need them Certainly the next lan i have they will come in handy.

Router, i would go a PFsense box myself, but thats personal preference. You have a decent choice there too!

For a cupboard, unless you have one planned out already you could look at the SIGNET gear, their cabinets are pretty nice.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

BPInside

34 posts

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#1534116 16-Apr-2016 18:51

Sideface:

BPInside:

<snip>

Thats true, even though I said I don't like cutting corners, using the included POE injectors would save potentially 50% on the switch price correct?

Always better to have all in one and overkill is always awesome!

Yes, you could use the PoE injectors supplied with the (Ubiquiti?) WAPs, and save lots of money, at the cost of complexity.

But the overkill version is a lot tidier.

EDIT: I have 5 Ubiquiti WAPs (various models in mint condition, boxed, near-new, & surplus to requirements)

PM me for details if interested. I'm a compulsive WAP collector.

Compulsive WAP collector haha, I'm actually trying to get some of those Cambium ones on that deal

hio77

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#1534118 16-Apr-2016 19:02

BPInside:

Compulsive WAP collector haha, I'm actually trying to get some of those Cambium ones on that deal

Take your time, they handed me mine after a few days.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

BPInside

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#1534119 16-Apr-2016 19:05

hio77:

For wireless APs ild go XI3s or if you can get them on the promotion currently running the E400s Just personally, for pricepoint to features, ease of use etc they one up the Ubiquiti Although Ubiquiti gear is still seriously decent and you would not be disappointed with it.

Switch, A managed switch could be handy for some extra networking stuff, however most basic clients i would hang off a cheap switch and save managed switch to do the important stuff - Unless that 1gbit uplink becomes a bottleneck ofcourse, I know the pain of this too well. I have a bunch of TPlinks scattered around the house, a few of the older model that seems to have been renewed with a more rounded version. I actually have Two of them, still sitting in boxes in my room... Never know when you need them Certainly the next lan i have they will come in handy.

Router, i would go a PFsense box myself, but thats personal preference. You have a decent choice there too!

For a cupboard, unless you have one planned out already you could look at the SIGNET gear, their cabinets are pretty nice.

Hi hio77

Thanks for the reply, I'll have a look at those AP's. For the cupboard Im looking at getting a swinging wall cabinet as there is a bit of other stuff to go in there with the audio wires, hdmi etc.

I haven't looked at the PFsence box so will have a look at that as well

Thanks

BPInside

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#1534120 16-Apr-2016 19:06

hio77:

BPInside:

Compulsive WAP collector haha, I'm actually trying to get some of those Cambium ones on that deal

Take your time, they handed me mine after a few days.

Showing as out of stock at the moment though

hio77

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#1534126 16-Apr-2016 19:38

BPInside:

hio77:

BPInside:

Compulsive WAP collector haha, I'm actually trying to get some of those Cambium ones on that deal

Take your time, they handed me mine after a few days.

Showing as out of stock at the moment though

GoWifi are out of stock, you can still get your quote though.

someone else posted that they are due to have more in, in Two weeks.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

MickeyD

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#1534210 17-Apr-2016 08:55

I went through something similar 12-18 months ago when building our new house. Put all the AV and networking gear in a rack which sits in a cupboard.

I'm sure others can offer better advice than me about networking equipment. I went with unifi AC access points, and a 48 port UniFi PoE switch (US‑48‑750W). My thinking was that the PoE could be used for access points, PoE cameras, and anything else that might need it (e.g. the VOIP phone that I forgot to get power installed near the phone / network jack)

If I knew then what I know now:

1. The unifi switch is incredibly noisy. Even though it was in a cupboard three doors away, it could still be heard in the lounge when watching TV. In the same room it sounded more like a jet engine. I ended up replacing the fans with some silent ones, otherwise I would've replaced the switch. Probably wasn't such a good choice for a home environment after all.

Moral of that story:

Be careful where you put your central cupboard, and think about the operating noise of the equipment.

2. Have you got good ventilation of the cupboard? Switches and AV equipment typically produce a lot of heat, and designing it to get good airflow through is important. We put in a thermostat controlled extractor fan to help with moving air through. My next step is to replace the extractor fan with something quieter.

Hope that helps you avoid some mistakes I made...

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