I finally bought a computer, going to use BI...Now I need a POE switch for my cameras (and other things)...And this is where I'm a bit nervous..I have never used a switch before and looking for some advice here.
What types \ brands of switches do some of you currently have in place?
Are the bigger commercial switches much more complicated to set up, (like Cisco) and use that the smaller (like 8 port Linksys) consumer models that have nice web user interfaces?
In my case I'll eventually have 12+ POE cameras, probably 4MP. In addition to using it for the cameras and BI computer, I'd also like to use just one switch for all things home networked from a central location. This would be 1 DSL modem\router for internet, 2 computers, a couple of TVs, 2 Android set top boxes, 1 IP phone and a DirecTV internet connection.
So to that end I've been looking at 24 port (or even 48 port as some are so cheap so why not?) used POE switches on eBay. Some examples:
Extreme Networks Summit X450E-24P 24-Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Switch
or
Linksys SRW248G4
or
Cisco WS-C3524-PWR-XL-EN Catalyst 3500
I can get these pretty darn cheap on eBay but these are "commercial \ business" switches and I'm concerned I would not have the skill to set up \ configure and manage one of these without a pretty web user interface. Also these are older switches no longer supported by the mfgs. in most cases, with the exception of the Extreme Networks Summit switch.
Has anyone had experience with such switches as those above to tell me if anything like these would be a good purchase decision or would using these be getting in way over my head?
Also I was considering connecting multiple 8 port consumer switches like this if I can get them cheap enough.
Netgear 8-Port Gigabit Switch
Is connecting multiple switches a good idea or a bad idea?
Is a "managed" switch a better route than an "un-managed" switch, or is that just more complexity I don't need?
Are Gigabit speed ports needed with this many devices?
Any tips, direction or other suggestions on the above choices or other options from those experienced with using switches would be appreciated.
Is there maybe a "beginner's guide to switches 101" on the site somewhere I missed in my searches?
What types \ brands of switches do some of you currently have in place?
Are the bigger commercial switches much more complicated to set up, (like Cisco) and use that the smaller (like 8 port Linksys) consumer models that have nice web user interfaces?
In my case I'll eventually have 12+ POE cameras, probably 4MP. In addition to using it for the cameras and BI computer, I'd also like to use just one switch for all things home networked from a central location. This would be 1 DSL modem\router for internet, 2 computers, a couple of TVs, 2 Android set top boxes, 1 IP phone and a DirecTV internet connection.
So to that end I've been looking at 24 port (or even 48 port as some are so cheap so why not?) used POE switches on eBay. Some examples:
Extreme Networks Summit X450E-24P 24-Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Switch
or
Linksys SRW248G4
or
Cisco WS-C3524-PWR-XL-EN Catalyst 3500
I can get these pretty darn cheap on eBay but these are "commercial \ business" switches and I'm concerned I would not have the skill to set up \ configure and manage one of these without a pretty web user interface. Also these are older switches no longer supported by the mfgs. in most cases, with the exception of the Extreme Networks Summit switch.
Has anyone had experience with such switches as those above to tell me if anything like these would be a good purchase decision or would using these be getting in way over my head?
Also I was considering connecting multiple 8 port consumer switches like this if I can get them cheap enough.
Netgear 8-Port Gigabit Switch
Is connecting multiple switches a good idea or a bad idea?
Is a "managed" switch a better route than an "un-managed" switch, or is that just more complexity I don't need?
Are Gigabit speed ports needed with this many devices?
Any tips, direction or other suggestions on the above choices or other options from those experienced with using switches would be appreciated.
Is there maybe a "beginner's guide to switches 101" on the site somewhere I missed in my searches?
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