pFsense Hardware purchase 2020
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@shyam-srinivasan I have a cisco. It's a good switch. Certainly not the least expensive option. If your lucky you can find great deals used. Failed startups will sell off newish gear all the time. Stay away from enterprise stuff.
TP-Link has a bad reputation. Cheap and not very cheerful.
This is a nice switch:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/sg350-28-28-port-gigabit-managed-switch/model.html
This isn't much help outside of the US, but:
https://www.amazon.com/Systems-SG350-28-K9-NA-SG350-28-28-Port-Gigabit/dp/B01MAYENL6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=SG350-28&qid=1608496186&sr=8-3
Some like Netgear. I have no experience so I'll not say more than that. Some like Unifi from Ubiquiti. I dislike Ubiquiti! You'll get a lot of different recommendations from different people...
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@jwj said in pFsense Hardware purchase 2020:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/sg350-28-28-port-gigabit-managed-switch/model.html
I like this recommendation it also support 10Gig, many thanks, I will start looking out for this - in my region on Amazon 267$
I will look for any used for this model, and see if I am lucky ..
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@shyam-srinivasan Not sure about the 10gb. 10gb fiber uplink on the combo ports maybe, I'd have to look. Ok, just looked. SFP not SFP+ so no 10gb.
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@jwj :( thought for a moment I had everything I needed , ok I will have to further look to pick a model that support 10gig just in case if I decide to connect my NAS on 10gig, in future, if the price goes over the budge then I will roll back to this switch as plan A.
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@shyam-srinivasan What are doing with your NAS that would need a 10gb connection? Do you have any "client" devices (Your PC) that have a 10gb nic? I can stream HD video from my NAS to 3 devices (3 people watching HD movies from plex) on a gig connection with no issues. 10gb is a LOT of bandwidth...
Your going to have to splash a lot of coin on a 10gb switch.
Edited to add: anything other than a high end NAS filled with fast SSD's isn't going be able to pull the data off the disks fast enough to need a 10gb connection.
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@jwj In my previous comment I stated, I do not have any device with 10gig interface yet, but was only considering future proof, since lots of coins are going out of my pocket for very limited use and as you pointed out 1gig is quit adequate for home use for streaming, I will stick with your first recommendation and look for CISCO SG350-28 switch, see if I get lucky finding a used one..
I use my NAS for network photo editing - as primary use, not using as Plex - but in future when I have the firewall in place have plans to host for sharing photos with family members ..
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@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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@jwj NAS storage not SSD , SSD turned out to be expensive for 3TB.
QQ, I see to options on amazon for new switches.
- CISCO SG350-28-K9 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch
24x GbE (1000Base-T) | 4x SFP | Managed, VLAN-fähig, 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 ManagerAre 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$
- CISCO SG350-28-K9 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch
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@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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@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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@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 ??
with regards to SSD
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 .. 
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@shyam-srinivasan Sleep well.
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@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
what to do ? any advise on this switch ?As compared with CISCO SG350-28-K9 (174$), which is seems to be latest and with intelligent power save mode option, but with non POE -
for about 26$ less am getting new but not POE, let me know .. which one would be a better pick ..
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@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 $150...
Based on what you have said, I would go with a 350-28 if you can find one for a good price.
You could also see what MikroTik offers that appeals to you and what availability is like for you...
https://mikrotik.com/products/group/switches
https://mikrotik.com/product/CSS326-24G-2SplusRM
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@jwj you are suggesting to with POE option SG300 instead of SG350 managed switch non POE version .. ??
since my update there are few new updates..
I was able to find a CICSO dealer who is selling new SG350 managed switch 28 port non POE version for 175$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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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: PriceHave 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
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@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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@bingo600 you recommendation to go with non POE version if I have understood the comments correct ?
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@shyam-srinivasan Yes.
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@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..
