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    pFsense Hardware purchase 2020

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    • ?
      A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
      last edited by

      @shyam-srinivasan OK. If I had a 500,000 photo library on my NAS and wanted to access it with lightroom (local catalog, of course), yeah, 10gb makes sense. You'd need it on both your NAS and PC. That is one case were 10gb can be justified.

      What I do is I keep my current project(s) local on my MAC and edit from there. Move things in and out as needed. Lightroom, Capture One handle the idea of "offline" images very well. But, yeah, 10gb for that is nice. Do you have fast storage in your NAS? SSD?

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        shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
        last edited by shyam.srinivasan

        @jwj NAS storage not SSD , SSD turned out to be expensive for 3TB.

        QQ, I see to options on amazon for new switches.

        1. CISCO SG350-28-K9 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch
          24x GbE (1000Base-T) | 4x SFP | Managed, VLAN-fΓ€hig, Rackmount
          Internes Netzteil | Device Type:-Switch - 28 ports - L3 - Managed
          Enclosure Type:- Rack-mountable 1U | Subtype:- Gigabit Ethernet
          Performance:- Switching capacity: 56 Gbps | Voltage Required :-AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
          Ports:- 24 x 10/100/1000 + 2 x Gigabit SFP + 2 x combo Gigabit SFP

        2)Cisco SG350-28 28-Port Managed Switch
        24 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports for cost effective connectivity with desktop computers
        2 x Gigabit Ethernet combo + 2 SFP for higher bandwidth connection
        Ease of use with Web UI, CLI, Smart Network Application and Cisco FindIT Network Manager

        Are there two models in this category ?? if so I am not seeing what's the difference between them and the price for option 2) is lesser by 10$

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        • ?
          A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
          last edited by

          @shyam-srinivasan Not that I'm aware of. Could be different regions? Amazon can be bad about things like that. Are any of those authorized Cisco resellers? If you get something that dies in a few months that matters.

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          • ?
            A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
            last edited by

            @shyam-srinivasan Oh Yes. SSD's are crazy expensive relative to HDD. I have 24TB (6x4) in my NAS at the moment. I don't want to know what it would cost to have that much storage SSD's.

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              shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
              last edited by shyam.srinivasan

              @jwj no they are not cisco authorised sellers, I will look off amazon for CISCO dealers in my region and buy direct that would help cover any service and warranty.. so there is only one model and not two - not sure why amazon is showing two kinds though ?? πŸ˜•

              with regards to SSD πŸ˜‘ πŸ– staying away to put my coins for better use .. 😸 thank you for today's discussion, its 2:45am here.. will crash and catch up tomorrow .. πŸŒƒ

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              • ?
                A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
                last edited by

                @shyam-srinivasan Sleep well.

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                • S
                  shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
                  last edited by shyam.srinivasan

                  @jwj @johnpoz I have found a cafe shutting down and want to sell off their equipment sg300-28-POE-port-gigabit-managed-switch, asking price is about 200$ Question is the power draw, as compared with - CISCO SG350-28-K9 , am πŸ€” what to do ? any advise on this switch ?

                  As compared with CISCO SG350-28-K9 (174$), which is seems to be latest and with intelligent power save mode option, but with non POE - πŸ˜•

                  for about 26$ less am getting new but not POE, let me know .. which one would be a better pick ..

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                  • ?
                    A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
                    last edited by A Former User

                    @shyam-srinivasan said in pFsense Hardware purchase 2020:

                    sg300-28-POE

                    https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/small-business-smart-switches/data_sheet_c78-610061.html

                    https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/small-business-300-series-managed-switches/models-comparison.html

                    Offer them $150...

                    Based on what you have said, I would go with a 350-28 if you can find one for a good price.

                    You could also see what MikroTik offers that appeals to you and what availability is like for you...

                    https://mikrotik.com/products/group/switches

                    https://mikrotik.com/product/CSS326-24G-2SplusRM

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                      shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
                      last edited by shyam.srinivasan

                      @jwj you are suggesting to with POE option SG300 instead of SG350 managed switch non POE version .. ??

                      since my update there are few new updates..
                      I was able to find a CICSO dealer who is selling new SG350 managed switch 28 port non POE version for 175$

                      and the used version of SG300 28 port POE for 202$ ... do I still choose the POE version of SG300 over SG350 managed switch non POE version ?

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                      • bingo600B
                        bingo600
                        last edited by

                        For my home use i have a few prioritizes req's.

                        1: Fanless (or super silent fan)
                        2: Featureset
                        3: Fairly low power unit (as it will be on 24/7/365)
                        4: Price

                        Have you checkked 1 & 3 against a 24+ port PoE switch ?

                        I can easily pay $100 more for a low power unit , it will often earn it self in saved electricity ..
                        During the time i use it.

                        /Bingo

                        If you find my answer useful - Please give the post a πŸ‘ - "thumbs up"

                        pfSense+ 23.05.1 (ZFS)

                        QOTOM-Q355G4 Quad Lan.
                        CPUΒ  : Core i5 5250U, Ram : 8GB Kingston DDR3LV 1600
                        LANΒ  : 4 x Intel 211, DiskΒ  : 240G SAMSUNG MZ7L3240HCHQ SSD

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                        • ?
                          A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
                          last edited by A Former User

                          @shyam-srinivasan I'd get the SG350... As you have said POE is something you will add in the future. Get a nice "core" switch and then add a small POE switch (or just use injectors) later as you expand your network with POE powered Access Points and Cameras. Just my $0.02 worth.

                          As @bingo600 says, a 24 port POE switch is going to have fans, most likely loud fans.

                          So, nice switch, quiet and power efficient switch. Get more ports than you think you will need. A long term purchase.

                          Then either figure out your pfsense build or a Netgate Appliance.

                          After that if you want nice AP's you just add in a small POE (say 8 port) switch to power those devices and budget it together.

                          You may have said this and I missed it, what do you have now?

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                            shyam.srinivasan @bingo600
                            last edited by

                            @bingo600 you recommendation to go with non POE version if I have understood the comments correct ?

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                            • ?
                              A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
                              last edited by

                              @shyam-srinivasan Yes.

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                                shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
                                last edited by shyam.srinivasan

                                @jwj thank you, it is making a lot more sense now, thank you again for the advise, I will stick with SG350 non POE version and place the order tomorrow, I will have to make this order outside my state as the supplier does not have stock in my region..

                                With regards to AP I have none now, once I have the switch I will start using my old router as AP to start with, and then see if I can get more later..

                                With regards to Pfsense which was my original topic, I will give it sometime to think all of it all over again and since the device is going to be on like more than 8hr a day its best to get lower power appliance as @johnpoz advice, I will get the SG-111 Netgate which supports about 350mb.. but I will not be covered if I get 1gig internet later, rather I will save up money and get the 1gig version later that is what on back of my mind really !!

                                Once I place the order for SG350 I will let you know how it goes tomorrow..

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                                • ?
                                  A Former User
                                  last edited by A Former User

                                  @shyam-srinivasan

                                  What I would do may only apply to me. We have all learned a thing or two over time. That said, if I could magically replace all of the networking equipment I have now with new equipment I would have this:

                                  Netgate SG-5100
                                  Some fanless switch with at least 24 ports
                                  Some fanless POE++ switch ~8 port
                                  Ruckus r710 access points (3)
                                  UPS (I have and would keep my APS rack mount UPS, it works)

                                  I like Cisco small business switches. Maybe it's just because I am familiar with the way you manage them. There are others who absolutely hate them.

                                  I am a huge believer that wired is always best. If you have devices that are stationary they should have a wired connection. I can do that, others may not be able to run cable because they are renting or whatnot.

                                  I would get the access points used. Way too expensive new for a home network. You can get firmware updates and setup Ruckus access points without a physical controller or license fees. It's not obvious, but you can definitely do that. I called them :)

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                                    byreddy123456 Banned
                                    last edited by

                                    This post is deleted!
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                                    • S
                                      shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
                                      last edited by

                                      @jwj thank for being open, most of us at some point, would have the opinion / option of replacing few gears after we have purchased.. I have learnt few lessons, from my experience and always made mistakes but that has been the best way of learning really!!

                                      I have now started with the network set-up for my rented home, but I want to ensure the gears I buy will fit in my new home where ever I move 🀞 of course the day I move to my own house πŸ˜‚ I will just do up the wiring and use the old gear which I buy now..

                                      But I do want to learn from others experience and advise on my start so I do not make the known error..

                                      In the first step I have avoided DIY build of PfSense, rather look for something efficient .
                                      Second, I have got the advice to pick the right switch, thank you and @johnpoz for this advise..

                                      Finally I have got my self registered here, to seek some network advice which is fruitful and I have requested for slack invite, not sure if I am going to get it, have not see one yet its been more than 24hr since my request.

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                                      • ?
                                        A Former User @shyam.srinivasan
                                        last edited by

                                        @shyam-srinivasan Take care! Happy New year!

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                                          shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
                                          last edited by

                                          @jwj πŸŽ„ Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family..

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                                            shyam.srinivasan @A Former User
                                            last edited by shyam.srinivasan

                                            @jwj I have qq, do I have to pay for CISCO license ? if any, to use any, of the switches feature? that I buy.. example SG350 28 port managed switch ?

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