Recommend me a POE switch for home use

[Lil'John]

Subject kind of states it but to expand with details.

Use:
Standard internet traffic plus POE based security cameras(4+, still working on camera layout/coverage)

Current equipment/network setup:
Comcast Internet through ARRIS Touchstone Cable Modem CM820
Linksys E3000 router with Tomato 1.28 firmware upgrade
<unknown switch>
Two cat6a outlets in office (both in use)
Two cat6a outlets in living room (one HTPC)
Two cat6a outlets in master room (one in use)
Two cat6a outlets in network cabinet for two network printers

Using the above eight outlets plus 4+ cameras, I see myself needing a 16 to 24 port switch.

From my research, since the switch is internal, I don't really need a managed one. I'm not against getting a managed one but not at a significant cost.

From my research, not all the ports in a switch are always POE enabled. For my needs, I think I would need 8-12 to be on the safe side.

I'm considering either 100MB or 1GB capable.

What would you recommend?

 

[azazel1024]

I'd go with a pair of switches.

This http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-SF1...s=poe+injector

and this http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-SG1...gigabit+switch

It would a lot cheaper than a 16 port POE switch and I can't imagine you'd really want a 10/100 switch as your core.

If you need more POE ports in the end, I'd just get a second one of them. Its a lot cheaper than any of the 8 port POEs switches that I've seen. That is to get a pair of 8 port/4 POE capable switches than it is one that supports 8 concurrent POE ports.

A heck of a lot cheaper than a 16 port switch that supports at least 8 POE ports.

Out of curiosity, why Cat6a? Seems like massive overkill.

 

[Lil'John]

azazel1024,
Thank you for the input.

I'll answer your question first: I'm going with cat6a because I had to pull new cable throughout the house and at least from a cable standpoint, it wasn't going to be that much more than cat5/cat6. Obviously, the hardware(switches, routers, and Ethernet cards) will be more.

I'm not familiar with the TP-Link brand. Are they known for their quality?

You make a good point on doing two switches: one as a "backbone" and one as a "camera" switch.

For wiring the "backbone" switch to the "camera" switch, would you do a pass through type layout where the 4 POE ports go to cameras and the 4 non-POE ports go to from the "camera" switch to the "backbone" switch?

Or am I overthinking the wiring and should just to one cable from the "backbone" switch to the "camera" switch?

 

[azazel1024]

I've had good success with them. At least according to their claim, they've got about 55% of the world wide market on networking gear. Though, unclear if that is total market or just consumer market. I assume a lot of that volume is non-US.

They have pretty good warranties. They aren't Dlinks limited lifetime, but they are 5 year, IIRC, on all of their semi-managed switches. I think its pretty much all their networking gear (though it might not be their routers).

Just one cable from the camera switch to the backbone switch. If you do more than one it'll cause a loop-back and lock-up both switches. If you want more than 1 port/cable uplink between the switches you'd have to go with semi-managed or better switches so that you can do port aggregation/trunking, but that is likely overkill. I'd double check to make sure that the max bit rate of the 4 cameras wouldn't push a 100Mbps uplink out of its comfort zone, but that is roughly 20Mbps per camera once overhead is taken in to account. Should be more than enough unless you are streaming 1080p high bit rate video.

The hardware is, sadly, always more. I was just wondering. Cat5e, with proper runs and termination, is good for 45m at 10GbE and Cat6 is good for 55m (with less ideal runs) for 10GbE. Cat6a is of course good for 100m runs in harsh alien cross talk environments...but most houses aren't anything near that size or interferance to worry about anything other than 5e or maybe 6 and still be able to run 10 gigabit ethernet over the cables someday. Though, if you were having someone else lay it, the labor costs were probably more than the actual cabling costs.

Since I lay my own, I am looking at ~$60 per 500ft for 5e, ~$100 per 500ft for 6 and ~$200+ per 500ft for 6a...plus 6a being a much bigger PITA to route the cable and terminate. So most of my house is 5e and I have some 6. 6a is just door rich for my blood + way too much of a pain to route and terminate for me.

So far I've gone through one entire 500ft box of 5e, the remains of another box of 5e (about 1/3rd of it was used in my townhouse, the rest in my current house) and I just started a 500ft box of 6 and by the time I am done with renovations I might have to start in on a 2nd box of 6 in a couple of years.

 

[kevnich2]

Have you already bought your cameras? Which kind are you going with? I would definitely use a smaller dedicated poe switch for the cameras and keep it separate from your other switch. For one - anything over 8 poe ports is usually noisy due to the fans to keep the heat down. Cost is the other thing, it goes up ALOT the more poe ports you have.

 

[sourceninja]

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-TS-16.../dp/B00CXU9ZOC

 

[Lil'John]

azazel1024,
Thank you for the long reply. It is very helpful.

I have all my cabling done except for the cameras. I'm at exactly 200 feet of cat6e. I expect to have the same amount of cable when I pull camera cable also(runs are roughly the same length as the computer runs)

Have you already bought your cameras? Which kind are you going with? I would definitely use a smaller dedicated poe switch for the cameras and keep it separate from your other switch. For one - anything over 8 poe ports is usually noisy due to the fans to keep the heat down. Cost is the other thing, it goes up ALOT the more poe ports you have.

I do not have my cameras yet. I'm still investigating what is going to be best for my application: outdoor, "discrete", and good enough resolution to help identify thieves

From what is being presented so far, it looks like my best approach is to get something like a 12 port 1GB non-POE switch for the backbone and then a "full" POE 8 port for the cameras that can be a 10/100MB type.

 

[alkemyst]

To identify thieves esp outdoors takes good cameras.

I love this site: www.cctvcamerapros.com They are owner-operated and the team is very knowledgable and realistic with budgets.

 

[ch33zw1z]

From what is being presented so far, it looks like my best approach is to get something like a 12 port 1GB non-POE switch for the backbone and then a "full" POE 8 port for the cameras that can be a 10/100MB type.

This is a good approach. Don't forget about PoE injectors, they can help add more PoE devices without getting another PoE switch.

To my knowledge, PoE devices will only be 10/100. 2 pair for data, 2 pair for power.

 

[kn51]

To my knowledge, PoE devices will only be 10/100. 2 pair for data, 2 pair for power.

My understanding is after some reading is that 1000 will work over PoE. The voltage doesn't interfere with the signal.

 

[ch33zw1z]

My understanding is after some reading is that 1000 will work over PoE. The voltage doesn't interfere with the signal.

cool, got some links? I like me some readin'

 

[Zxian]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet#Standard_implementation

Gigabit is possible with PoE. I have a Ubiquiti PoE wireless access point that exceeds 100Mbps on a regular basis with large file transfers.

 

[alkemyst]

cool, got some links? I like me some readin'

This is really basic. Just look up most modern Cisco switches/AP's. gigabit is common now.

A SHOW INT STATUS from a recent deployment:
Gi1/0/47 CISCOAP-846 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi1/0/48 CISCOAP-843 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/22 CISCOAP-842 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/23 CISCOAP-845 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/24 CISCOAP-848 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/27 CISCOAP-849 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/28 CISCOAP-847 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/29 CISCOAP-801 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/30 CISCOAP-802 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/31 CISCOAP-803 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/32 CISCOAP-804 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/33 CISCOAP-805 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/34 CISCOAP-806 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/35 CISCOAP-807 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/36 CISCOAP-808 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/37 CISCOAP-810 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/38 CISCOAP-824 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/39 CISCOAP-825 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/40 CISCOAP-826 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/41 CISCOAP-827 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/42 CISCOAP-828 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/43 CISCOAP-829 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/44 CISCOAP-830 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/45 FUTURE notconnect 613 auto auto 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/46 CISCOAP-839 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX
Gi2/0/47 CISCOAP-809 connected 613 a-full a-1000 10/100/1000BaseTX

 

[Lil'John]

Good info for reading tonight.

Don't forget about PoE injectors, they can help add more PoE devices without getting another PoE switch.

I learned something new today... any recommendation for a PoE injector?

 

[azazel1024]

Gigabit is commonish for POE, but it isn't for POE injectors. Those are, fairly universally, 10/100 only. I think I've seen one or two that can do gigabit POE, but I think it was for a pairing only, not something that worked directly with POE equipment.

POE switches, commonish, but VERY expensive.

The downside to POE injectors is that they are generally around $20+ a pop, plus you'll need a power strip for them if you are adding a bunch. So if you need 8, you are looking at >$160 for POE injectors, where as if you were using a pair of 8 port/4POE capable 10/100 switches, you are probably looking at $100 or so. Injectors are really only a good option if you are looking at one POE device, or maybe two at most. Or if you are buying a POE switch, but need just one or two more devices above the switch capacity (IE if you got an 8/4 switch and needed 5 devices for POE and didn't want to have to buy another switch or upgrade to an 8/8 POE switch and all the attendent costs).

 

[alkemyst]

Gigabit is commonish for POE, but it isn't for POE injectors. Those are, fairly universally, 10/100 only. I think I've seen one or two that can do gigabit POE, but I think it was for a pairing only, not something that worked directly with POE equipment.

POE switches, commonish, but VERY expensive.

The downside to POE injectors is that they are generally around $20+ a pop, plus you'll need a power strip for them if you are adding a bunch. So if you need 8, you are looking at >$160 for POE injectors, where as if you were using a pair of 8 port/4POE capable 10/100 switches, you are probably looking at $100 or so. Injectors are really only a good option if you are looking at one POE device, or maybe two at most. Or if you are buying a POE switch, but need just one or two more devices above the switch capacity (IE if you got an 8/4 switch and needed 5 devices for POE and didn't want to have to buy another switch or upgrade to an 8/8 POE switch and all the attendent costs).

A POE injector should not bring speeds down unless it also comes with a media convertor.

 

[ch33zw1z]

This is really basic. Just look up most modern Cisco switches/AP's. gigabit is common now.

capable and common aren't the same thing. thanks anyways.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Gigabit is commonish for POE, but it isn't for POE injectors. Those are, fairly universally, 10/100 only. I think I've seen one or two that can do gigabit POE, but I think it was for a pairing only, not something that worked directly with POE equipment.

POE switches, commonish, but VERY expensive.

The downside to POE injectors is that they are generally around $20+ a pop, plus you'll need a power strip for them if you are adding a bunch. So if you need 8, you are looking at >$160 for POE injectors, where as if you were using a pair of 8 port/4POE capable 10/100 switches, you are probably looking at $100 or so. Injectors are really only a good option if you are looking at one POE device, or maybe two at most. Or if you are buying a POE switch, but need just one or two more devices above the switch capacity (IE if you got an 8/4 switch and needed 5 devices for POE and didn't want to have to buy another switch or upgrade to an 8/8 POE switch and all the attendent costs).

yea, the injectors are useful, but not always ideal. It's up to the OP to make a decision. I would keep a couple around in the case of the PoE switch dying. They you can still get the critical devices, ie cameras or WAP's, up and running.

 

[kevnich2]

Unless he's running a business that needs this up 24/7, having a few days downtime while a replacement poe switch comes in shouldn't really matter that much for home use.

 

[kevnich2]

And as far as poe injector's being gigabit, yes you can get gigabit poe injectors. It's more common to have gigabit poe switches as usually only businesses need gig speed on poe devices but they are available. Obviously, they cost more than the $20 10/100 injector.

 

[alkemyst]

OP you still looking? Also what budget?

The Cisco 2960-C compact switch is a managed, totally silent (fanless) device with up to 12 ports of POE @ 100Mbps ( http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Catalyst...s=2960c-12pc-l )

The 3560-C expands this to 1Gbps capable ports, but you are limited to 8 ports if you want 1Gbps (they have an option to do 12 POE ports at 100Mbps. ( http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-WS-C3560...s=3560CG-8PC-S )

You can run these very secure. It may be overkill, but I deployed a ton of these and they are nice.

One of the coolest things is they can mount to metal with the magnetic mount they sell. Looks like a ultra thin mousepad (some use them as mousepads actually). Holds really well.

The key thing to realize though is most POE devices won't utilize more than 100Mbps. The reason GbE switches are sometimes called for is because of the power requirements over 12.94 watts. POE+ / 802.3at goes to 30 watts. A lot of Fast Ethernet switches don't do POE+

 

[Lil'John]

OP you still looking? Also what budget?
</snip>

I am still looking. I won't say I have no budget but I'd rather pay for a good piece of equipment up front than pay for a cheap piece and buy again.

From previous replies, it sounds like my best bet is to buy a regular gigabit switch and then add in PoE injectors or a 2nd switch with appropriate number of ports.

 

[saratoga172]

We use Extreme Networks PoE switches at work. They're gigabit and stackable if you need more than one. Been pretty solid for us.

Not cheap though. Run a couple grand for a 24 port.

 

[alkemyst]

I am still looking. I won't say I have no budget but I'd rather pay for a good piece of equipment up front than pay for a cheap piece and buy again.

From previous replies, it sounds like my best bet is to buy a regular gigabit switch and then add in PoE injectors or a 2nd switch with appropriate number of ports.

agreed.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Make sure you know what voltage your POE equipment runs on. 12v,24v, and 48v are all different standards. I'm just now starting research on the same thing.

I'm likely going the injector route. I bought a $20, 8 port injector and will be throwing that on a rack to split POE connections and mark them with red Cat5 cable so I can identify them in the attic easier. I just have to pick the right power supply and camera combo. Since POE only does 100MB as 2 wires are in use for power, there's no need to buy a gig POE switch. It'd be wasted money per port.