What would you buy....

[saundersmatt]

Hi,

 

I'm looking to upgrade the switches at a local primary school. They're currently using a mix of netgear desktop switches and old HP hubs so it all needs replacing.

 

There are 2 switch locations at the moment, one has 36 ports, the other 20. There is also the consideration that they are installing 4 access points where theyre are no power sockets so some POE at the 36 port location would be beneficial.

 

Idealy I'd like a 48 port gigabit switch which has 8 POE ports, but I can't seem to find such a thing that exists, and a 24 port gigabit. I have been considering the HP v1910, in 48 and 24 port incarnations and using a lindy midspan to provide POE, however the midspan doesn't appear to support gigabit ethernet.

 

Does anybody have any clever ideas?

 

Tia,

 

Matt

[FN-GM]

Just as a side note I would make both switches 48 ports. If you put a couple of extra sockets in your smaller switch location you will have to get another switch anyway.

[Dos_Box]

Hubs! 1998 called and they want their networking back

Seriously though, I'm sure there will be some recommendations along shortly. IIRC, a resonably priced POE GB switch was quoted on the forums just last week.

[ToyHeartsFan]

Stick in google "hp 48 port gigabit poe switch"

eg: = HP E2910-48G-PoE+ 48 Port Gigabit PoE Switch with Gb fiber (J9148A) - www.misco.co.uk

 

Don't expect to find a cheap HP managed 48 port poe gigabit switch!

 

I thought switches either provided poe on all ports or not at all so I don't think you will find a 48 port HP with poe on just 8 of the ports.

You could get a couple of small say - 16 port poe switches and get a normal 48 port as the core, also check what injectors the access points manufacturer recommends short term it would be cheaper to use injectors it depends if they are going to expand the wireless network any time soon.

 

One thing to be careful of is the size of your cabs as some of these switches might be too deep for old cabs!

[Achandler]

You can get switches that are part PoE but 48ports with 8 PoE I ahvent seen, I have seen 8 of 24 though.

[Domino]

HP do a gig POE injector: HP Single-port 802.3at Gigabit PoE Midspan Power Supply | Ebuyer.com

 

As mentioned, over-speccing on ports is probably smart. How are the switches linked at the mo? the 1910 lines include SFP module spaces, is a fibre link a possibility?

[MYK-IT]

48 Port Managed and POE Switches are alot of money.

 

As mentioned, it may be better getting non-POE Switches, and purchasing POE Injectors for the required amount.

 

Ruckus POE Injectors work at 1Gbit on Cat5e (we use them for our Ruckus APs), Contact Joe Aucott @ CP Ltd for advice/costs.

[saundersmatt]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at the HP/Ruckus injectors.

 

I assume these need one plug socket per injector at the midspan location?

 

Matt

[MYK-IT]

At the new managed switch, plug 1x cat5e fly lead into the appropriate port and other end into the (input) port of the POE Injector (this will plugged into the mains via a PSU), then you plug in another cat5 cable to the output of the POE that will connect (whether that is directly, or via a fly lead to a patch panel) to the Access Point.