24 Port Switch?

[Stupid_Newbie]

Hello, as im moving forward with house automation, whole house audio, video etc, im going to have a need for quite a few 10/100 ports, and a few gigabits. I have been looking at switches, and figure I need about 19 ports at most right now. So I guess a 24 port it is.

As its for a home network, I would think unmanaged is perfectly fine. I was looking at the following switch, which will be in a media closet.

TP-Link TL-SG1024D (desktop with rackmount clips).

Its fairly cheap at $100, has all gigabit ports from what I can tell, auto senses each connection speed, cable length, and cable type and sets speeds accordingly.

Im completely open to options, brands etc. I was just planning on ordering with my NAS tonight (event though I wont need it for a quiet some time).

*correct my electrician spelling, thanks for the heads up PTNL*

 

[MouseTrap]

I have been using this one without any problems for sometime now: TRENDnet 24-Port Unmanaged Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Switch Just a suggestion...

 

[PTNL]

I've been using the Netgear ProSafe series for a while and have been very pleased. I'm currently using the JGS524 (24-port, all GbE, unmanaged).

Off-topic: I had to read your post a few times to realize you meant "quite" instead of "quiet".

 

[Phog]

I've used both Netgear and the mentioned TRENDnet from above. For managed switches, I would pick Netgear over TRENDnet any day, but unmanaged TRENDnet stuff has always been solid for me. I avoid TP-Link for some reason, none that I can justify.

 

[Kongar]

Where do you work? I see lots of perfectly good 24 port gigabit switches get donated as the world moves toward sexier products. You might check with your IS dept - you may get lucky and snag a Cisco for that hundred bucks (or even free!)

Sux because I just sent some away a few weeks ago. Probably could have gotten you one.

Next time I see some ill make a post before they get pitched. Didn't realize people had much need for them in their homes...

 

[Stupid_Newbie]

Well I'm building a home and going the automated over wired route. My immediate ip useage would be,
- router
- WD MBL NAS
- QNAP or Synology NAS
- PC
- 2x Airport Expess (whole house audio sources)
- Mac Mini Server
- PS3/4 (I think I'll buy a 4)
- Xbox360 (don't think I'll buy a One)
- Wii U (sons machine)
- Bell 9241 PVR (plan to get a second)
- A few ATVs running Plex/iTunes
- Ominpro II
- WAP if needed to boost WIFI
- HDAnywhere 4x4

Out of the gate I can count 18 or 19 hardwired devices. Although most could be 10/100, I'd rather all gigabit so as I add devices I don't have to worry about port restrictions. Most could go wifi, such as ATVs and gaming consoles. But when you have the wire, use it. I can check the plants. I do recall a few 15 ports but don't recall I'd they we're 10/100 or gigabit.

 

[PTNL]

Definitely go GbE for all ports, and wire up as many connections as possible. For any devices that will be hitting your Plex device, *definitely* go with a wired connection to those devices. Overall, you'll have a better and more responsive experience when watching videos. The GbE speed will also reduce the transfer time from devices to your backup machines.

For the NAS, Synology and QNAP are great; personally, I have a QNAP model TS-219PII. Though if I had to choose again, I probably would go with Synology due to the better app ecosystem. (Note: Many of the bigger apps do require an Intel-based proc for the extra horsepower instead of ARM procs, so browse around those online guides before you decide the make/model.)

BTW, will you be assembling the infrastructure components in a rack? If so, what have you decided on?

 

[Stupid_Newbie]

For NAS I was looking at TS-869-L, or 1813+. I was gonna order a few nights ago, but my son took ill and we spent some time in the hospital. So looking to order tonight.

I haven't decided on a rack, I can get 2 from work, however they are massive. I don't know the slot numbers, as im not a rack guy, but they are both 7' tall. One black, one white. Missing most of the empty slot covers. Just old Plant racks.I was planning to go with a rack of some sort, and putting a shelf in for non-rackable items.

Though the HTD Lync is rackable, switch is rackable, HD anywhere is rackable, it would come down to the nas, mac mini, HTD door interface, etc that isn't rackable. So im not sure which way to go. Gotta get all my parts here, and size up my actual slot count needed, then add a buffer

Id like to hardwire everything to be honest, and leave wifi as a last resort. But not everything comes with hard wired options. Just got a new printer that will also be hardwired (Epson Workforce 7520, its a tank)

 

[DeFex]

Its a bit more money, but i got a hp 1810-24g which has tons of features and has been super reliable despite my power companies shenanigans.

The main reason i got it is because my NAS has 2 network ports and i can team them. if I am streaming a movie or something it doesn't get interrupted or stutter when accessing it from another device.

my nas is a synology diskstation 1812 its been great, much better than that POS drobo FS i had.

 

[PTNL]

For NAS I was looking at TS-869-L, or 1813+.

Go with the Synology, it's awesome. That model has a strong proc in it, so you could look into running some "headless" apps directly on the NAS.

I haven't decided on a rack, I can get 2 from work, however they are massive. I don't know the slot numbers, as im not a rack guy, but they are both 7' tall. One black, one white. Missing most of the empty slot covers. Just old Plant racks.I was planning to go with a rack of some sort, and putting a shelf in for non-rackable items.

Though the HTD Lync is rackable, switch is rackable, HD anywhere is rackable, it would come down to the nas, mac mini, HTD door interface, etc that isn't rackable. So im not sure which way to go. Gotta get all my parts here, and size up my actual slot count needed, then add a buffer

Tough to turn down a free rack. You can buy some shelves for the rack, and set your non-rackable components on the shelves. Personally, I've been looking into getting a shorter wall-mount rack like this one, though I'll start my own thread in a few months when I start wiring and assembling pieces at my home.

(Subbed now to the thread. Looking forward seeing how this works out, and if there are work-in-progress pics.)

 

[Deleted member 88227]

When you said home automation, I was thinking you was going to have some sort of entire house live monitor/control panel. Allowing you to control, remotely, HVAC settings, turning lights on/off, turning stove/oven on/off, opening/closing garage door, viewing live video streams, etc.. all being controlled by a "computer" of some sort.

 

[Stupid_Newbie]

I will. That's the Omni Pro II security panel. It also does UPB lighting. It has remote status and control of anything you want. It will 232 to the Lync12 to control audio, and the HDAnywhere 4x4 (or maybe 8x8 matrix), etc. Ill be using Ipad minis (think that's cleaner then Ipad2s) in the wall for touch screens (proprietary screens are over 1K each from all the players). I will use Logitech Harmony remotes to do all the IR handling of the HDAnywhere, Bell PVR, ATVs, Dune D1 to each TV location.

It will also be tied to the mac mini, to allow full Java scripting, and additional IP handling that the panel wont provide. Also the software on the mini (its apple only, hence the mini), will add push notification, email, texting, and additional call outs on alarm etc. So it calls/emails/texts me aswell as security if the home is breached, informs me if the fridge is left open, the temp gets too low, there is a leak, sump pump doesn't start etc. Ill also be adding am irrigation controller down the road to check weather reports (don't think ill put a weather station in), and see if it rained, or will rain, and adjust the irrigation schedule accordingly. Ill wire for cameras, though I think ill only use 2, backyard for the wife to check on kids while cooking, and maybe garage where all the work tools are stored. I send a lot of guys to my storage now from the shop to get tools, and I honestly don't trust all of them to not snoop. If I remotely pop the overhead door, I can watch them, and send text voice over the whole house audio, "Get out of my shit" lol.

I also am wiring in shut off vavles on water so if there is a leak detected by sensors in floor, it shuts the houses main, so the only thing that can leak is the total volume in the piping, provided the "WC pressure can force the leak to continue. Its almost limitless what you can do, and since Im a construction oilfield electrician, I get to deal with a lot of control via PLCs at work, so I get way more ideas on how to do stuff, then is honestly good for me.

 

[Stupid_Newbie]

(Subbed now to the thread. Looking forward seeing how this works out, and if there are work-in-progress pics.)

I will do a work in progress for sure, and a demo video when its all in (or atleast the inside of the house is done). As I am considering going into business doing home automation. There aren't a whole lot of options in my area, and I don't want to be oil patch forever. Ill be setting my home up, and then working with a few builders I know, to see if they have a customer base interested. Its just expensive to do well. So with the mid-upper end homes in my area, already getting into mid6 and up, its a tough sell to add another 50-60k to the tag.

All in my equipment should run me 15-20k cost, then I still have all the wire, ends, jacks, plates, etc.

That's for;
- Lync 12, 12 zone whole house audio, with intercoms, 12 zones of speakers, 2 door doorbell interface (intercom and doorbell in one), 12 Local source input panels remotely mounted (so you don't have to plug into the keypad). Airport express for Airplay/PC control of audio
- Whole house automation, all UPB lighting, with CFL/LED dimmers throughout. Ill have a few ELV dimmers for things like cabinet lighting, to dim the ballasts. Status contacts on every window and door including attic access, and closets. So anything is possible. Run status CTs with contacts to monitor non-smart loads for operation. Zoned HVAC in 4 zones (upstairs, downstairs, mainfloor, theater). HAI thermostats tied into security, to lower temps automatically when system is armed etc.
- HDanywhere 4x4 centralized video distribution over 1 wire Cat6 (can use 5 it says)
- Large NAS for iTunes server (or on mini), BD/DVD ISO to my Dune D1, Plex for ATVs
- Mac Mini server for Automation extras
- Flush mount inwall Ipads for HMI.

You don't have to go this crazy, but in the wiring stage, I can wire for everything, and its not that bad. Whats 1k extra in category cable when your at 650k on a house. Though you can get into lighting and security for around 5k if you don't go crazy.