Help Selecting a Rack-mount Switch With Link Aggregation

[thadius856]

I have wired my whole home for gbit ethernet. I have 3 lines each at 9 drop locations plus a NAS, VOIP converter, and other devices running at the termination point near the 7U rack. Currently, I'm using a 24-port gbit Zyxel switch.

This means that I'm not able to keep all of the wall ports hot 24/7, so when I move a device or install something new, I have to figure out which switch ports are unused and re-patch at the rack. Sometimes I judge a used port for unused because the device is offline at that moment, so I end up mistakenly unpatching a port unintendtionally and having to re-do it again. I'd like to keep these ports always hot, so that means I need minimum 32 switch ports.

I have 2U available in the rack if I replace the Zyxel. I'd welcome two 24-port switches or one larger switch. I need 2-port link aggregation for my NAS and if I had two separate switches I'd need additional link aggregation between them. I don't mind used or blemished equipment, as long as it's fully functional. My total budget for the switch(es) is $150, including rack mounting ears. Cool/quiet are a bonus.

I have a short list of models to keep an eye out for, but I'm almost certainly missing some that would be a good match. Currently, I have listed:

2x Cisco 3560G-24 or 3750G-24
2x Dell PowerConnect 5324
1x Dell PowerConnect 5348

What models am I missing out on?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

$150? Ouch, that is kinda limiting.

Might consider a D-Link DGS-1248T. The network guys at work aren't huge fans of dlink, but it's got the features you're looking for.

Sounds like you could get in the habit of labeling things, though.

 

[master_shake_]

used on ebay would be the best bet.

here are 2 in a lot for 85

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-2-x-...19?pt=US_Network_Switches&hash=item418e391bf3

with ears

 

[azazel1024]

I'd consider a 16 port dumb switch and a 24 port semi-managed switch if you are that price limited. I'd look used for both.

The issue you have with the suggested models, none of them are particularly low power draw compared to newer switches. It isn't going to be HUGE, but it may be the difference between a new/newer 2x24port or 48 port switch drawing 10-20w of power versus 30-50w of power, depending on how many ports are active. That is a good $20-30 a year in electric bill (not including extra cooling costs).

 

[dawza]

I like azazel1024's suggestion to go 24 port semi-managed + 16 port (or 24 if you can swing the budget) unmanaged.

On the semi-managed front, the Procurve 1800-24g (or 1810-24g) is generally available (with rack ears) for ~$100 used (with lifetime warranty) on eBay. I think the 1810 does away with the fan, while you can easily unplug the fan on the 1800 series (although IIRC, some hardware revisions of the 1800 are fanless by default).