Adding an AP to a single classroom CAT5 port

[SimpleSi]

The problem with Unifi APs is that they only come with one ethernet port (eg don't have built in switches) so if I want to add on to a classroom with a single port currently feeding the teachers PC I need to either

A. Run another cable and install extra socket

B. Use a CAT5 pair of splitters/combiners to feed PC and AP (£20)

C. Add a 5 port switch (£10) plus needs an extra mains socket

A - not going to happen due to cost


So B or C - what do you think - what would you do based on your experience of combiner/splitters vs classroom 5 port switches.

I've always gone down the 5 port switch front in the past personally


Si

[FN-GM]

I would go option A. If not then option c. The splitters are not worth it. A switch would be far better.

[CyberNerd]

A - is the only real option

Adding cheap unmanaged switches can cause more problems further down the line.

[p858snake]

Can the AP not be installed somewhere else?

[Michael]

Ideally you should do A, but failing this C should be what you do. Providing the AP is PoE compatible you can install it nice and high up and reduce the need for additional power required.

To my knowledge all APs only have one Ethernet port. It's only routers that typically have 4/5 Ethernet ports.

[pritchardavid]

A. Run another cable and install extra socket

A - not going to happen due to cost

Si

How will option A cost a lot? Don't you run you own cables Ethernet cables when you need to? (Can understand not doing a whole new ICT classroom, cause we have never done that)

Agreed with everyone else option A if you can, if not option C
Option B will half you Ethernet speed on both devices because it shared. (I believe) We have tried one before, took it out because of that. Or the speed might be worse than that, think it made both devices go to 10mbps

[mac_shinobi]

* Multi way x 1
* Wireless AP x 1
* 5 or 10 port home switch ( but as above if this will cause issues ) then may be easier just to run another ethernet connection

[Michael]

How will option A cost a lot? Don't you run you own cables Ethernet cables when you need to? (Can understand not doing a whole new ICT classroom, cause we have never done that)

It's not always as simple as that. If you've got a 85m cable run, sods law it's never a 'straight run' and there are other considerations, such as asbestos, alarm cabling, pipes, other random cabling. It really should be left to professional cable installers, even though most of us are perfectly capable of patching a cable.

[SimpleSi]

The splitters are not worth it.

Why not - I've never used them but I there are some installed in one school that I took over - have you used any?

A - not going to happen due to cost

I should have mentioned time as well as cost - I go into this school 1/2 day a week for 3 hours - I've got 1 server/26 desktops and 20 netbooks to setup

Adding cheap unmanaged switches can cause more problems further down the line.

I've been working with cheap unmanaged switches for past 12 years - they do lock up occasionaly but since they normally only serve a small area - the risk is worth it. My normal network topology is 1 central 24port switch (unmanaged as well) with 1 run into each class/teaching area and 8port switch feeding 4/5 devices (or another 24 port in a suite)

Can the AP not be installed somewhere else?

well ... it could ... but I'm trying to get 1 AP/class

How will option A cost a lot? Don't you run you own cables Ethernet cables when you need to?

No - unless its just in the same room - I get people with ladders and drills to do that

Or the speed might be worse than that, think it made both devices go to 10mbps

Ta -thats the sort of thing I was looking for

To my knowledge all APs only have one Ethernet port.

Before discovering Unifi, I've always used Buffalo APs which have a built in 4 port switch (as they are basically routers running different firmware). Even my Ruckus APs have 2 ports on them

Ta everyone

Simon

[ihaveaproblem]

I try to avoid splitters. Never been very reliable in my experience.

[AngryTechnician]

Worth noting that according to the datasheet, the upcoming UniFi UAP-Pro has 2 gigabit ethernet ports...

[Chris_]

Option B will half you Ethernet speed on both devices because it shared. (I believe) We have tried one before, took it out because of that. Or the speed might be worse than that, think it made both devices go to 10mbps

It shouldn't half the speed. Fast ethernet uses 2 pairs, cat5e cable has 4 pairs so the splitters simply use 2 pairs for one connection and 2 pairs for the second connection. Gigabit ethernet uses all 4 pairs so these cable splitter/economisers won't work for gigabit connections.

[mavhc]

Secret dr who option D: always put 2 points in whereever you were going to put 1

Or more practically: Tell the people with the money that the network is their most vital infrastructure after electricity, and to invest in it. Time lost = money wasted. Ask them how much they spend on power, or heating.

[mac_shinobi]

Before discovering Unifi, I've always used Buffalo APs which have a built in 4 port switch (as they are basically routers running different firmware). Even my Ruckus APs have 2 ports on them

Ta everyone

Simon

Can both of these ethernet ports be used though or is one for diagnostics of said AP ?

Not related to a suggestion but just a thought.

Also when I stated a Multi Way I meant with regards to the mains power

9902SWP-4.jpg

[Michael]

I agree with mac_shinobi, it could either be a diagnostic port or the other ports will most probably be disabled in AP mode.

It certainly isn't the norm to daisy chain APs and even if it were possible, I wouldn't recommend it. APs should have dedicated links back to a switch, not shared bandwidth.