PitViper posted:

I use a Trendnet TEG-S16DG and a set of bolt-on rack ears for it. Some desktop switches will come with the screw holes, and the attachment ears are something separate. If 16 ports is all you need, it's been solid for me since 2011, and I added the rack ears last fall when we moved into what we plan to be a long-term home. It's been nice having all the network gear racked in the basement where I don't have to think about it.

I do wish I'd gotten the 24 port model instead, because now with the bigger house and more devices, I've got a 24 port patch panel and only have the 12 or so active ports plugged in. Eventually I'll have to swap it out for something with 24 ports, and probably POE for the 2-3 Unifi APs we'll probably need to cover all the main spaces of the house.

Gay Retard posted:

Somebody talk me out of going all-in with Ubiquiti UniFi equipment. I have gigabit fiber and a 30 TB Plex server and I love the idea of being able to independently manage devices. I also like being able to slowly upgrade and buy new APs as needed. My only concern is how fragmented their product line is - it looks like grabbing a $300 Dream Machine on the early access store would be the cheapest way to get gigabit IPS/IDS.

edit: Just read the last 4-5 pages and it looks like I'm going to grab a nanoHD for now and a Dream Machine when they come out of Early Access.

MiskatonicAthletic posted:

I am trying to pull my family business's internet and internal network out of the Bronze Age and into something resembling the modern era, and have found out that my knowledge of networking is even more antiquated than I feared it would be.

To be specific, our metalworking company of 15 or so people is looking to consolidate our internet services so we aren't paying two companies for the same service, and as we were looking at our options from different companies I realized that we were getting royally hosed on our hardware rental- specifically, we have been paying something in the realm of $100/month to rent a 24 port switch. A switch that, upon further investigation, could be bought for $500 or less (now.) Comcast Business, who gave us the lowest quote by a country mile, will not rent a switch, so I am looking to get a recommendation from SH/SC for a switch that will do what our network needs to do without breaking the bank or my brain.

We have about 4 people who are using the internet 5+ hours a day, over 7 computers that are connected to a remote desktop/server that runs all of our shop software and stuff, and we also have a VoIP phone system that we will be replacing with a Comcast system when we switch over. Thus, I know that we will need PoE, but not what version or flavor. I know that when CenturyLink gave us their quote, they were going to rent us an Adtran 1534P for $115 a month, which is a joke when you can buy the thing for $1300-1500.

The more I dig into this, the stronger my desire to go stand in front of a lathe becomes, so if you have any thoughts on what hardware I can install and promptly forget without being completely taken advantage of, I would value them greatly as a guy whose computer savvy dates back to the mid-2000s.

TL;DR: recommend me a switch for a <15 person business network with 5 VoIP lines, that can be installed and/or managed by a ham-handed machinist.

MiskatonicAthletic posted:

TL;DR: recommend me a switch for a <15 person business network with 5 VoIP lines, that can be installed and/or managed by a ham-handed machinist.

Internet Explorer posted:

If you don't have an IT person I would look at a Ubiquiti or Miraki switch. They are easy to use for non-technical people. Miraki will cost you each year but you'll actually get something in return instead of whatever nonsense you've been paying for.

eddiewalker posted:

Any clever ideas to cool this, since I failed to consider heat at all?

I think the stuff up top is fine. It's mostly open into a joist cavity, but the Microserver generates a lot of heat. The obvious answer would be a little AV plate fan, but I'm not sure about cutting a 6" hole in the middle of an Ikea shelf, and its ability to bear weight.

cage-free egghead posted:

Why not a fan on each side? One to supply and other to exhaust. If you didn't want to do a 6" hole you could probably get away with making slits in the wood and attaching a fan.

eddiewalker posted:

One side is an outside wall, the other is a little stub wall enclosing a metal support post.

Actually wondering what would happen if I just ran a plate fan to suck air from the bottom shelf up to the top now.

eddiewalker posted:

One side is an outside wall, the other is a little stub wall enclosing a metal support post.

Actually wondering what would happen if I just ran a plate fan to suck air from the bottom shelf up to the top now.

MiskatonicAthletic posted:

TL;DR: recommend me a switch for a <15 person business network with 5 VoIP lines, that can be installed and/or managed by a ham-handed machinist.

eddiewalker posted:

Any clever ideas to cool this, since I failed to consider heat at all?

CrazyLittle posted:

Meraki is "hardware as a service" so if you don't renew your license, the hardware stops functioning.

https://documentation.meraki.com/zGeneral_Administration/Licensing/Licensing_FAQ#Q:_What_happens_when_my_license_runs_out.3F posted:

Q: What happens when my license runs out?
A: You can purchase a renewal through an authorized Meraki partner. If you chose not to renew, you will no longer be able to manage your devices via the Meraki cloud, and your Meraki network devices will cease to function. This means that you will no longer be able to configure or make changes to your Meraki network equipment, and your Meraki network products will no longer allow traffic to pass to the Internet. With Systems Manager networks, you will no longer be able to enroll devices or change settings for currently enrolled devices.

Actuarial Fables posted:

In what ways are you looking to expand your network management?

Schadenboner posted:

Is pure video feed (no recording or poo poo like that) possible with the UniFi cameras? My new workspace has me sitting with my back to the apartment door (and to the rest of the living room) so I keep getting snuck-up upon and screaming loudly when I realize there's someone sanding there (), I'd like to mount a camera in the back of the bookshelf which faces the living room and forms the back of my work-corner. Do they make a table mount for the G3 Flex?

I could just get a corner monitor mirror but those are so dorky?

astral posted:

The mirror is the correct answer.

Schadenboner posted:

But BORAT VOICE MY WIFE and our tiny hu-mon will think I'm an dork...

Warbird posted:

I have two Archer C7s (one in bridge to the first) serving as upstairs and downstairs wireless access points (Or just routers? I've never been 100% on the terminology.).

quote:

In semi related matters, VPNs. I've got Nord running in a few clients, but I've heard some interesting stuff about WireGuard and figured it would be nice to see my PiAware stuff when out and about. Just so I have my ducks in a row, I'm going to need to use some Static IP type service to point to the Pi on my network so I can hit it when remote. I assume a port or two will need to be forwarded as well. Does that track? As always, small words if at all possible. Illustrations are appreciated.

Gyrotica posted:

Pretty sure they already do. Own it!

Thanks Ants posted:

Actuarial Fables posted:

I would refer to the one connected to your modem as a router + access point (or wireless router I guess), and the 2nd one just as an access point. Label your devices on what services they currently provide, not what they're capable of.


If you're going to install a Wireguard on your Pi, then you would have to set a static IP address on the Pi itself, or have a reserved DHCP entry so that it always uses the same IP address. In the configuration of Wireguard you'll set up ports that it'll listen on - those are the ports that you'll forward on your Router.

Alternatively, your router does support being an OpenVPN server and you could go that route (ha) instead. https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/1237/

Warbird posted:

Way ahead of you there. Half the reason I was asking in the first place was that setting and maintaining DHCP settings was annoying. I’ll go look into the rest of that. Any good static IP services that are worth a hoot? Preferably cheap/free.

Fake edit: I have a Debian box on Digital Ocean that I’m not doing much with. Any reason I couldn’t utilize it’s static IP somehow?

Roundboy posted:

cat5a

Roundboy posted:

3) Can POE and non POE devices live in the same port ? meaning, can i plug my hardwired printer into a POE port without issue ?

Roundboy posted:

2) Are there any pitfalls in making my own cable to include POE? I have punched down / added ends to Ethernet before.. so long as I follow the standard the power will flow , right ?

Roundboy posted:

Cat5e. Made a stupid typo.

Speaking of power and data, I want to run cables through conduit. I'm going to try and remember the general rule, it's power and data in parallel runs is problematic, and should cross perpendicular where possible?

Or am I overthinking and just bundle all the cable together where appropriate and keep it away from house power runs?

Roundboy posted:

Cat5e. Made a stupid typo.

Speaking of power and data, I want to run cables through conduit. I'm going to try and remember the general rule, it's power and data in parallel runs is problematic, and should cross perpendicular where possible?

Or am I overthinking and just bundle all the cable together where appropriate and keep it away from house power runs?