[ILUG] (OT) Network Switch recommendation

[Lance Dryden]

Bernard-Joseph Roche wrote:
> Hi Folks,
> 
> I am looking to buy a network switch for home. 24 ports needed but I
> might spring for the 48. It is mainly to connect the various devices
> in each room (computers, servers, printers, ps3 etc) but would like to
> buy something that will do me for the next 3-5 years. Any
> recommendations?

We could use some information on what you're doing now as well as in 3-5 
years in order to provide a recommendation.  It may also be useful to 
know just how much physical space "home" covers; 1gbps ethernet is 
cleared on normal Cat5e or cat6 for only around 100 meters.  I ask 
because someone else who asked me elsewhere didn't mention that his 
"home" was a compound of 4 buildings, spanning a rectangle around 45 
meters by 80 meters.  Home-run (e.g. all hosts go direct to a switch) 
1gbps would not have maintained signal integrity with just 1 switch.

> I had been thinking of running a small VOIP at home, is this something
> I should be factoring into the switch purchase? Are there any features
> that are a must?

If small is < 10 phones (i.o.w. < 10 locally-terminating calls at once) 
in the absence of any other activity, you'll get by with 100mbps easy 
without bothering with QoS.  A consumer-grade switch may fit your needs 
in a case like this.

   Yours, &c
   Lance Dryden