SimpleSi Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 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 Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 I would go option A. If not then option c. The splitters are not worth it. A switch would be far better.
CyberNerd Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 A - is the only real option Adding cheap unmanaged switches can cause more problems further down the line.
Michael Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 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 Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 (edited) 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 Edited March 18, 2012 by pritchardavid
mac_shinobi Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 * 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 1
Michael Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 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. 1
SimpleSi Posted March 18, 2012 Author Posted March 18, 2012 (edited) 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 Edited March 18, 2012 by SimpleSi
ihaveaproblem Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 I try to avoid splitters. Never been very reliable in my experience. 1
AngryTechnician Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Worth noting that according to the datasheet, the upcoming UniFi UAP-Pro has 2 gigabit ethernet ports... 1
Chris_ Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 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 Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 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. 1
mac_shinobi Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 (edited) 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 Edited March 19, 2012 by mac_shinobi
Michael Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 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.
mac_shinobi Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 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. only other thing i can think of is that its an aggregate port ie connecting the AP to two ports on a switch so if one port falls over it is still connected to another port ( although not sure if that would cause a broadcast storm or will it be treated as 2 seperate connections )
IrritableTech Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 You forgot option D: fit a wireless card in the workstation. I've used quite a few splitters in the past. They have all worked well and do give 100 meg all the time. I prefer them to little switches that people play with and unplug the power, create loops etc. With a splitter you still get the end device plugged into a decent switch with all the management benefits that brings, vlans, spanning tree, monitoring etc. Depending on your switch gear of cause. Having said all that, we've spent a lot of our time pulling cables to get rid of all our little switches and splitters and ensuring gigantic to every desktop and AP. So option A please! 2
IrritableTech Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Gigantic what to every desktop? Lol Ben Damn auto correct keyboard! *gigabit
SimpleSi Posted March 19, 2012 Author Posted March 19, 2012 Can both of these ethernet ports be used though or is one for diagnostics of said AP ? Well - one is marked POE and "i think" iIve used them both in some cases but I'd better check! - I always wondered why the classroom teacher is always complaining about her internet speed As I said, all my previous APs have been buffalos with a 4 port switch so I've always though that was the norm - I though ruckus were just being cheap! t certainly isn't the norm to daisy chain APs I don't daisy chain them - I insert them between the existing class smartboard connected PC and the single CAT5 outlet to give wireless coverage in a class. So option A please! Its a primary! - I still haven't got wired connections in all my classes in some schools! So one/class is luxury! And until I got these otherwise lovely Unifi - it wasn't an issue Si
SimpleSi Posted March 19, 2012 Author Posted March 19, 2012 DB says Ruckus ports are not a switch - best be going around checking my ruckus school tomorrow! Si 1
CyberNerd Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 (edited) It just occurred to me, how about installing another nic in the pc and using it as a bridge? or even installing a wireless network card and using the cat5 for the AP Edited March 19, 2012 by CyberNerd
mac_shinobi Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 It just occurred to me, how about installing another nic in the pc and using it as a bridge? or even installing a wireless network card and using the cat5 for the AP Option D As per IrritableTech suggested ??? 1
CyberNerd Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Option D As per IrritableTech suggested ??? oh yeah. didn't read that.
SimpleSi Posted March 20, 2012 Author Posted March 20, 2012 oh yeah. didn't read that. I missed it as well ! I like the idea as it saves on need for mains extension block as well Unluckily, the school had previously bought Viglen all in one jobby's as teh classroom PC where there isn't enough space to add in any more cards so it would have to be external USB dongle And I do like the main PC to be wired if possible. But worth adding into the mix Si 1
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