Confusion regarding Edgeswitch

[Rick Jones]

I am configuring my home network. I am planning on having vlans separating my adult users, child users, media(tv, players, servers?), home automation, security/cameras, administrative(native), DMZ, internal servers, and test network lab. These are hardwired for the most part.

I am of the mindset that home automation -and managed network devices, for that matter - should follow the rules of SCADA for networking and should be separated as much as possible and not dependant on manufacturer portal interfaces. As a consequence, I am purchasing es-48-500W and es-48-lite. The purpose of the poe switch is for use with APs and IP cameras.

I am seeing posts that UBQT is no longer producing the EdgeSwitch line - moving to the new UniFi series. I understand the movement; however, from some webpage reviews, I'm concerned about support and the capability of the devices. The SFP+ port was also of interest to support the traffic which I've described above. Also the idea of using static routing and ACLs within the switches in the home environment for securing traffic also seems very favorable.

I've read the nightmare posts regarding turning the UniFi devices to a brick due to JSON being favored to the console (which is my preference). I'm curious regarding future proofing and meeting speed needs as time advances. My home is hardwired for the most part. I hope I have not made a poor choice due tides of change.

Although this is out of scope of the thread section - I'm torn between ER-X-SFP and ER-4/6 vs possible other routers.

I hope I'm not misunderstanding the current and future performance quality of EdgeSwitch devices. And I hope Ubiquiti is still providing effective support for the EdgeSwitch line.

 

[netwrks]

Edgeswitch and Unifi line of switches are both still alive and well.. Best to get your up to date info here: https://www.ubnt.com/

 

[System Error Message]

ubiquiti's POE based switches are a better option especially for the price if you want many ports (only cheaper options are netgear semi managed 8 port POE switches).

Just to help avoid more confusion, its only a layer 3 switch if you can add IP routes.

 

[coxhaus]

Even if the Ubiquiti's switches are not layer 3 you can use your router for routing between networks and using ACLs.

I am using a Cisco SG300-28 switch in layer 3 mode. It works well with ACLs. I have not tried the newer Cisco small business switches. The price is still a little high for me at home. At some point I may be able to find a used one for a lower price.

 

[System Error Message]

Even if the Ubiquiti's switches are not layer 3 you can use your router for routing between networks and using ACLs.

I am using a Cisco SG300-28 switch in layer 3 mode. It works well with ACLs. I have not tried the newer Cisco small business switches. The price is still a little high for me at home. At some point I may be able to find a used one for a lower price.

can you add static IP routes to your cisco switch? Or basically do filtered layer 3 routing with no router?

 

[coxhaus]

can you add static IP routes to your cisco switch? Or basically do filtered layer 3 routing with no router?

Yes. I can create ACLs which can filter at the IP level, port level or protocol level, probably other stuff too. I have all this running. I use filtering for my guest network and sharing printers with my guest users. My layer 3 switch moves data by routing. It just does it in a switch manner which is fast. The only thing missing is routing protocols. I only have static routing in my small layer 3 switch. I can do all this with my internet router turned off. The whole network works without my internet Cisco RV340 router being turned on. There just will be no internet access. But all local IP filtering and routing is still running. I hope this hits home about what a layer 3 switch can do.

I have a Cisco SG500X-28 switch which is a 10 gig layer 3 switch with routing protocols which I was going to put in place of my other small Cisco layer 3 switch but it is too noisy and creates too much heat. I am guessing that is a problem with all 10 gig gear right now. So I am waiting for a more energy efficient 10 gig layer 3 switch.

 

[System Error Message]

Yes. I can create ACLs which can filter at the IP level, port level or protocol level, probably other stuff too. I have all this running. I use filtering for my guest network and sharing printers with my guest users. My layer 3 switch moves data by routing. It just does it in a switch manner which is fast. The only thing missing is routing protocols. I only have static routing in my small layer 3 switch. I can do all this with my internet router turned off. The whole network works without my internet Cisco RV340 router being turned on. There just will be no internet access. But all local IP filtering and routing is still running. I hope this hits home about what a layer 3 switch can do.

I have a Cisco SG500X-28 switch which is a 10 gig layer 3 switch with routing protocols which I was going to put in place of my other small Cisco layer 3 switch but it is too noisy and creates too much heat. I am guessing that is a problem with all 10 gig gear right now. So I am waiting for a more energy efficient 10 gig layer 3 switch.

Yup, definitely a layer 3 switch.

The older or 2nd hand 10 gig gear is noisy, as it was designed to be used in a datacenter where processor efficiency and longevity matter more than noise. Some datacenters require you to wear headphones or ear plugs to enter. You can service them with quieter fans just as how i made my 36 core CCR quieter than the ERPRO but it'd depend on your environment and use. I was able to run a netgear prosafe without the fan plugged in and worked fine but could overheat if the network gets flooded by broadcast, multicast, etc as at that time i was on a student ISP which doesnt let you have your own router. In a cold environment and with decent airflow you can run your switch without the fans, however newer 10G switches like my mikrotik 16 port SFP+ which has fans is quieter than my CCR with its stock fans which does decently well, not very loud but i have it placed in the main area which drowns the sound, and in a portable 4U rack which also reduces the sound even more. If its in a small room like you'd find commonly in europe the sound can be an issue.

Both mikrotik and ubiquiti have new inexpensive 10G managed switches, i know mikrotik switches are layer 3 because i've had issues running them unconfigured when i do routing on my router for VPN, and when i change the port the router is plugged into, but mikrotik has since changed routerOS and dumped a lot of the switch config onto bridging which will automatically use the switch chip where possible so i dont know how well layer 3 switching works with routerOS on the switch chip or if you have to run swOS instead, need to study it more and try it out.