Help setting up Home Network with a Switch

MarioBros

MarioBros

Forerunner
Hey TE Folks,

The below diagram is my current simple home network.
I have close to 40 different devices connected all the time, (3-4 wired devices, rest all on WiFi)

1719315557694.png


I am now planning to add a Gigabit POE Switch to my home network (4/8 port POE Gigabit Switches are lying around with a friend and I can use the same) and in next few weeks I have plans to add a POE enabled Zibgee Coordinator and also a POE Camera.

I am running a VM Server which includes Proxmox, Home Assistant, Wireguard and other VMs.

my ISP is Airtel and I have a static IP allotted to my broadband connection, I have enabled bridge mode on my main router which takes cares of DNS & DHCP
I also have AP added to extend my wireless network range.

Now where do I add the Switch in my network setup and make sure everything is configured properly so there is no impact and are there any downside of adding a Switch to my above network ?
 
MarioBros said:
Now where do I add the Switch in my network setup
Click to expand...
After the router that's handing out DHCP leases and before the access point.

MarioBros said:
are there any downside of adding a Switch to my above network ?
Click to expand...
If the switch is a simple L2 switch (most unmanaged switches are), your network should be fine. However, make sure the POE functionality is standards compliant, 802.3af/at for example, and not passive POE, which can damage your hardware, limit speeds to 100mbps (unlikely as you mentioned gigabit) etc..
 
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ze_cook said:
If the switch is a simple L2 switch (most unmanaged switches are), your network should be fine. However, make sure the POE functionality is standards compliant, 802.3af/at for example, and not passive POE, which can damage your hardware, limit speeds to 100mbps (unlikely as you mentioned gigabit) etc..
Click to expand...

This is the switch and it clearly says 802.3af/at complaint
TL-SG1005P | 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch with 4-Port PoE+ | TP-Link India

but what is this Managed & Unmanaged term I am reading about Switches ?
 
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MarioBros said:
This is the switch and it clearly says 802.3af/at complaint
TL-SF1006P | 6-Port 10/100Mbps Desktop Switch with 4-Port PoE+ | TP-Link India

but what is this Managed & Unmanaged term I am reading about Switches ?
Click to expand...
This should work fine, but it's only a 100mbps switch, not gigabit. Your network speeds will be limited to 100mbps downstream of the switch.

Regarding managed vs unmanaged, managed switches typically have a management interface, either an web gui or through console, and have advanced features like vlan tagging, link aggregation etc.. This is an unmanaged switch, will be fine for your use case.
 
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ze_cook said:
This should work fine, but it's only a 100mbps switch, not gigabit. Your network speeds will be limited to 100mbps downstream of the switch.

Regarding managed vs unmanaged, managed switches typically have a management interface, either an web gui or through console, and have advanced features like vlan tagging, link aggregation etc.. This is an unmanaged switch, will be fine for your use case.
Click to expand...
sorry, I have updated the proper model link, its indeed a Gigabit switch

so if its a unmanaged switch it basically means plug and play ?
 
Usually plug nd play with some settings here nd there to make changes. You will also need to get POE cable for your camera to work.
you will be having 2 ports for POE devices 1 for proxmox and 1 for the AP that u have and 5th one will be your connectivity with router. Enable POE on the 2 ports connecting the POE devices and check how much power the POE devices require and the max a port on switch can give
 
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rockyo27 said:
Usually plug nd play with some settings here nd there to make changes. You will also need to get POE cable for your camera to work.
you will be having 2 ports for POE devices 1 for proxmox and 1 for the AP that u have and 5th one will be your connectivity with router. Enable POE on the 2 ports connecting the POE devices and check how much power the POE devices require and the max a port on switch can give
Click to expand...
ok this is giving more clarity to me now..
so when u say POE cable, will CAT6 cable do the job?

also I dont know if its a stupid question - since all the ports on swtich will be occupied as it is a 4 port switch, can i continue to use the free LAN ports ion my router if required ?
 
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MarioBros said:
so if its a unmanaged switch it basically means plug and play ?
Click to expand...
Yes

MarioBros said:
so when u say POE cable, will CAT6 cable do the job?
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Yes, any decent quality cat6 cable will do the job, try to get solid copper core cables, as aluminum (CCA, copper coated aluminium) cables have higher resistance and will cause a larger voltage drop.

MarioBros said:
also I dont know if its a stupid question - since all the ports on swtich will be occupied as it is a 4 port switch, can i continue to use the free LAN ports ion my router if required ?
Click to expand...
Yes
 
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ze_cook said:
Yes, any decent quality cat6 cable will do the job, try to get solid copper core cables, as aluminum (CCA, copper coated aluminium) cables have higher resistance and will cause a larger voltage drop.
Click to expand...
Cat6 will do for distances upto 50-55 mtrs for around 100 mtrs cat6a wud be required so buy according to that.
Refere below links,
ascentoptics.com

Mastering PoE Cable Selection: Insightful Tips for Effective Choices

Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology has revolutionized network setups by allowing power and data transmission via a single cable. However, selecting the right
ascentoptics.com ascentoptics.com
community.fs.com

How to Choose PoE Cable for Power Over Ethernet Network? | FS Community

Discover the key factors in selecting the perfect PoE cable for your Power Over Ethernet network. Uncover the best options, and understand crucial specifications to optimize your network's performance with our comprehensive guide to PoE cable selection.
community.fs.com community.fs.com
www.versitron.com

Selecting the Correct Cable for Power over Ethernet (PoE) | Versitron

Select the right cable for PoE as single cable can transmit communication data and electric power at the same time. Choose yous PoE cable by considering these listed factors
www.versitron.com www.versitron.com

Selecting the Correct Cable for PoE

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www.blackbox.com www.blackbox.com

A good quality cat6/6a with good core would cost you more than readily available cat6/6a cables.
I have seen good cat6/6a cables costing more than 1k for 10-15 mtrs used in datacenter and networkings.
 
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Put switch on bridge router interface, but if you are using POE, make sure the router can handle it.
Also would suggest to switch to a local ISP when you current plan ends.
 
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