I have a question from my husband (which I'm not going to claim to understand ):
What are other people doing?
thanks
Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Sep 02, 2011 12:53 am Hello, I have a question from my husband (which I'm not going to claim to understand ): Quote: Our smart wiring quote includes provision for a Clipsal Pro Panel junction box. We've got ~20 data points so will be getting a nice 24 port switch. Where are we expected to mount the switches as they don't fit in the Clipsal junction boxes? What are other people doing? thanks Build thread: /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49109 Blog: http://thelofthouse.wordpress.com/ Re: Where do we mount our switches? 2Sep 02, 2011 12:04 pm Hi, Where are you getting the panel installed? The reason I ask is that one of the few advantages of the Clipsal enclosures is aesthetics - You can get them mounted flush in the wall, so if they are in a walk-in or study they don't look too bad. Their disadvantages are that they are relatively expensive and (as your husband has discovered) have limited space. There is an industry standard mounting system based on 19" wide racks - the 24 port switch you are looking at will bolt straight in to a 19" rack. If you are getting your cabling brought back to a location where you have space (such as a garage or under-stair cupboard) look at using a wall mount cabinet like this (I am not endorsing this web site, it is just a convenient example - racks are widely available). A rack like this and a 24 port patch panel will cost less than a Star Serve Pro enclosure. If they are installing your TV antenna into the Star Serve enclosure then you can still get them to do that, but use one of the smaller, cheaper enclosures from Clipsal. The other alternative is use an 8 port switch that will fit in the enclosure - Even though you have 20 points throughout your house the chances are good that you won't be using all of them at the same time. You only need to connect switch ports to points that have a device connected - typically a PC, a digital set top box and/or TV, say a printer and some wireless access points. Devices such as laptops, iPhone/iPad/other tablets and things like Wii, PS2 and XBox can then all connect wirelessly. Paul Re: Where do we mount our switches? 3Sep 02, 2011 6:23 pm I think we're getting the cabling all brought back into the garage. I'll let hubby read this and see if it answers his questions. Thanks for all the info Paul Build thread: /viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49109 Blog: http://thelofthouse.wordpress.com/ Re: Where do we mount our switches? 4Sep 04, 2011 10:45 pm All the cabling (data, phone, alarm, TV etc) is being brought back to the garage into a 'custom' (according to the installer) Clipsal pro panel, similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/OPENHOUSE-H318-St ... B0002SPKS2 The dimensions of the actual panel that is being installed are 770mm H x 430mm W x 180mm D. This isn't deep enough to mount a 24 port switch (we've ~20 data and phone points). I'm really curious as to where other people with a large number of data ports are mounting their network switches. The installer is suggesting we just 'sit it in the panel', which I'm not happy with. We could install a wall mounted 4U rack above / below the panel, but then we're patching all the data ports from the panel to the rack - this strikes me as messy. I'd really like an all in one enclosure - something that is suitable for terminating all the installers bits - and will house a rack mounted switch. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Re: Where do we mount our switches? 5Sep 04, 2011 11:39 pm our 24 port switchjust sits on the end of the full wall length desk in the office with the modem and voip line etc.( 2 full length trestle tables) but I intend to get a rack or cabinet once day for it all or some shelving to put it in. IN a garage I'd want an enclosed cabinet but they aren't cheap. if you are in a major city you maybe able to pick one up 2nd hand from an auction site or off ebay or else you'll have to just wear the cost as part of your network set up. Where do we mount our switches? 6Sep 05, 2011 6:52 am Hi I will have about 72 network points. I am bringing them back to patch panels that will be installed in a 12RU rack, mounted on the wall in the garage. The rack will also house the switch. TV antenna cabling will just be mounted on the wall - I don't see that changing very often. The box you used as an example was $30 - a fair price for a bit of metal. The Clipsal enclosure you are looking at will cost you between $600-$700. If you want to stick with the Starserve from Clipsal use the 3105ABCIR pack. This gives tv and phone but no data for about the same price as the pro enclosure with nothing in it. Then, use a 4RU rack with a 24 port patch panel and your switch. Get the data ports from around the house connected to the first 20 ports. Get the last 4 ports connected to the telephone module in the Clipsal enclosure. Then you can patch a phone line or a network point to any socket in the house. Check on eBay or the site I linked to previously. You can get good brand new racks for less than $200. You can also get larger ones second hand for the same money, but unless you can pick it up the shipping can be expensive. Paul Re: Where do we mount our switches? 7Sep 05, 2011 12:21 pm Thanks paulw11 - I think I understand now. I can mount a patch panel and the switch in a rack and get all the data ports terminated into the patch panel in the rack. I had it in my head that I'd have to patch all the data ports from the clipsal panel to the rack. Your solution is far cleaner - thanks for the input. Re: Where do we mount our switches? 8Sep 06, 2011 4:28 pm +1 recommend Paulw11 suggestion, I didn't bother with any pricey systems, i just got it all terminated to a standard 12RU network cabinet in the garage and patched it in like in an enterprise environment. So much cheaper, and so much easier and more customisable. Homestead Homes SA: The Lamont Bayswood Estate; Aldinga Beach Preliminary Signing: April 2010 Floorplans: 13 June 2010 Building Contract: 19 June 2010 Selections: 28 Sept 2010 Scraped; Trenching: 21 Jan 2011 Slab Poured: 28 Jan 2011 Framing: 17 Feb 2011 | Completed 24 Feb 2011 Roof & Gutters: 02 Mar 2011 Bricks: 03 Mar 2011 Wire-up: 12 Mar 2011 I am planning to get shelly dimmers added to the non-smart switches that control light. It has no affect on the mechanical functioning of the switch and this is wired… 1 1373 If what you describe is correct then the brick wall has been dry lined with villa board. That basically means that the villa board is glued to the brick wall with… 3 8277 of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 23616 |