16+ port ethernet switch & wifi

[BGARK]

Can anyone recommend a commercial application Ethernet switch (non cabinet), for use with an office extension. need probably 16+ ports for PC, printers and so on.

Also can you get these with built in wifi to extend for wireless devices?

Thanks.

[bitchstewie]

What do you mean "non cabinet"?

Switches range massively in price and capabilities so on paper you have everything from £70 TP-Link units right up to spending a grand (and more) on proper grade kit.

[colin79666]

You sure you don't want something that rack mounts? If you have the need for 16 ports then surely you have floor ports with structured cabling terminating at a patch panel in a cabinet. Managed or unmanaged? I'd keep a wireless access point out of the cabinet as it is unlikely to be in the best position for a signal.

[BGARK]

bhstewie said:

What do you mean "non cabinet"?

Stand alone, its its own case.

Money is not an issue.

[bitchstewie]

BGARK said:

Stand alone, its its own case.

Money is not an issue.

I don't really get what you mean tbh.

If it isn't going a network cabinet or rack you may need to consider noise - most "proper" switches have fans in them so if it's going on a desk or something you need to consider that.

Again, you can get a TP-Link for £70 which is a switch, it should do the job, equally you can spend a grand (and more) on a Brocade or Juniper or something else and you may not be massively better off.

I'd say context matters tbh, if it's for some light duties in a home office environment you may be OK with something lower cost - if you're doing this for your business and you need something that's not going to be your problem, spend more.

HP Procurve are very good and occupy a middle ground where £200-300 will get something decent.

[BGARK]

colin79666 said:

You sure you don't want something that rack mounts? If you have the need for 16 ports then surely you have floor ports with structured cabling terminating at a patch panel in a cabinet. Managed or unmanaged? I'd keep a wireless access point out of the cabinet as it is unlikely to be in the best position for a signal.

I suppose I could put it in a cabinet, just enough for around 20 ports, is there something this small?

I already have a cabinet at capacity in the incoming area of the building, this will be around 30 meters away extending off into a new office complex.

If a wifi extender on its own is the best bet then so be it.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-JGS524-200EUS-ProS...

Just don't out the rackmounting adapter side brackets thingey on it on it !
Add in a separate Wireless Access Point within main routers DHCP range and job done

[colin79666]

BGARK said:

I suppose I could put it in a cabinet, just enough for around 20 ports, is there something this small?

I already have a cabinet at capacity in the incoming area of the building, this will be around 30 meters away extending off into a new office complex.

If a wifi extender on its own is the best bet then so be it.

Honestly get a cabinet. At the very least it stops users tampering and cuts the noise. You can get wall mounted cabinets for just this purpose: http://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/300mm-deep-wall-mount...

For light office use you can go with just about anything business grade. An unmanaged Netgear ProSafe would do the job at the low end of the spectrum.

[TonyRPH]

Quite a few of the HP switches are fanless, so noise isn't an issue.

They are enterprise devices too.

[BGARK]

Not fussed about noise or location, it will be up high and out the reach of people. Dust is probably more concerning for me.