Help to upgrade home network

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D1023319

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#298962 30-Jul-2022 13:43

I have a Vodafone ultra hub and two Ubiquity UAP-AC-LR access points running as a mesh.

I also run wired connections to office and lounge where i have a TP Link switch to connect to all the devices there, tv, xbox, etc

My problem is I need another wired connection to my alternative office location but the VF Utra hub has no spare ports.
I may even add a third Access Point

I am wondering whether to loop back from the TP switch as that has a spare port or is there a smarter layout, e.g. big switch located near router??

Cheers

shk292

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#2948322 30-Jul-2022 13:49

You just need another switch next to your router. No point messing around with loopbacks given switches are so cheap

waikariboy

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#2948324 30-Jul-2022 13:53

buy a unifi poe switch place it next to modem, plug all network cables into that and one cable into the modem. this will clean up the need for 1x poe ejector.

Balm its gone!

froob

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#2948325 30-Jul-2022 13:55

I agree with the comment above from shk292, but yes you could also feed one of the ports back from the TP-Link switch in the lounge, assuming you have a second cable running to that location. You would then patch that second cable directly to the cable to the alternative office location. Assuming the run is not too long overall, it should all work.

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D1023319

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#2948423 30-Jul-2022 17:36

waikariboy:

buy a unifi poe switch place it next to modem, plug all network cables into that and one cable into the modem. this will clean up the need for 1x poe ejector.

Thanks for comments

If I bought a product like

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch USW-Flex-Mini 5-Port Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch with USB-C Power Adapter to put by the router -

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHUBI1105/Ubiquiti-UniFi-Switch-USW-Flex-Mini-5-Port-Managed#product-features-anchor

would this mean the Access Points would not longer need their own POE with its associated power plug?
i.e. the Access point would just connect straight to the switch via the ethernet cable?

froob

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#2948427 30-Jul-2022 17:44

Not with that switch - the Unifi Flex Mini can be powered by PoE, but can’t power other devices.

You would need a switch that can supply power over ethernet, like this one for example: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1001/TP-Link-TL-SG108PE-8-Port-Gigabit-Easy-Smart-PoE-S

Edit: Also, only if the WiFi APs are directly connected to that switch - and not through another switch like your one in the lounge.

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

D1023319

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#2948439 30-Jul-2022 18:30

froob: Not with that switch - the Unifi Flex Mini can be powered by PoE, but can’t power other devices.

You would need a switch that can supply power over ethernet, like this one for example: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1001/TP-Link-TL-SG108PE-8-Port-Gigabit-Easy-Smart-PoE-S

Edit: Also, only if the WiFi APs are directly connected to that switch - and not through another switch like your one in the lounge.

Thanks - that looks good what i am after.

Can you recommend a Ubquity equivalent?
I am just thinking management compatibility?

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michaelmurfy

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#2948445 30-Jul-2022 18:56

Keep it simple...

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1010/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-8-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Switch

You don't need a managed switch or even a PoE switch... Just grab this and hook it up to the Vodafone router.

Also considering you're on Vodafone why not opt for their SuperWiFi package? The mesh system they provide can run via Ethernet and is a bit better than the Ubiquiti solution you have.

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froob

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#2948447 30-Jul-2022 19:08

Can you recommend a Ubquity equivalent?
I am just thinking management compatibility?

This is the equivalent Unifi switch, but I think it's out of stock in most places: https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-switching/products/unifi-switch-lite-8-poe

There's also this older model: https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-switching/products/unifi-switch-8-60w

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

linw

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#2948448 30-Jul-2022 19:13

And cheap...

D1023319

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#2948467 30-Jul-2022 21:14

michaelmurfy:

Keep it simple...

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1010/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-8-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Switch

You don't need a managed switch or even a PoE switch... Just grab this and hook it up to the Vodafone router.

Also considering you're on Vodafone why not opt for their SuperWiFi package? The mesh system they provide can run via Ethernet and is a bit better than the Ubiquiti solution you have.

Thats a good question for which i have no rationale or technical answer.

I dont know why but when working from home - my work laptop keeps pinging me with connection notifications when I am on a strong wifi signal but seems ok when wired.
Historically i hard wired devices that were in a fixed location (not that applies anymore)
my house previously had lots of weak wifi spots and i liked the idea of Access points spread through the attic out of sight

D1023319

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#2948468 30-Jul-2022 21:18

michaelmurfy:

Keep it simple...

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1010/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-8-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Switch

If I did use this - can i connect the Access Points direct to this without the need to use the individual POE power bricks???

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Jase2985

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#2948470 30-Jul-2022 21:33

D1023319:

michaelmurfy:

Keep it simple...

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SWHTPL1010/TP-Link-TL-SG1008D-8-Port-Gigabit-Unmanaged-Switch

If I did use this - can i connect the Access Points direct to this without the need to use the individual POE power bricks???

no its not a POE switch

for the 1 AP its not worth it unless you are out of power points