Associate
I'm currently in the process of teaching myself basic networking but I'm still at the stage where things haven't clicked yet. So forgive me if I ask and stupid questions but I'd rather ask them and look a fool than make assumptions.
I'm looking to buy a switch (or three) but I'm not sure whether to get one large Layer 3 switch, or three smaller Layer 2 switches.
Long story short, I have a pfSense box with three available NICs and I have a lot of wired devices that I'd like to connect all at once (I'm currently having to connect and disconnect things as needed) but maintain the ability to segregate and place on separate address range as I see fit. The wired devices include a Ubiquiti UAP, that I plan to use as my main AP and for a guest network. I also have a FreeNAS server (and a few other devices) that I want to be completely segregated from the guest network. I also want to place my current AP (an RT-N66U in AP mode) and the UAP on different ranges for the time being. This is so I can fiddle around with the UAP without disrupting the precious wifi signal in my house.
I'd also greatly appreciate any recommendations of specific models or product lines. I do have a few requirements above and beyond what I have already mentioned.
I'm looking to buy a switch (or three) but I'm not sure whether to get one large Layer 3 switch, or three smaller Layer 2 switches.
Long story short, I have a pfSense box with three available NICs and I have a lot of wired devices that I'd like to connect all at once (I'm currently having to connect and disconnect things as needed) but maintain the ability to segregate and place on separate address range as I see fit. The wired devices include a Ubiquiti UAP, that I plan to use as my main AP and for a guest network. I also have a FreeNAS server (and a few other devices) that I want to be completely segregated from the guest network. I also want to place my current AP (an RT-N66U in AP mode) and the UAP on different ranges for the time being. This is so I can fiddle around with the UAP without disrupting the precious wifi signal in my house.
- My question is, can a single switch do all of the above?
- Can/should I connect all three pfSense NICs to the switch?
- Would two or three Layer 2 switches be a better option?
- Are there any brands that I should steer clear of?
I'd also greatly appreciate any recommendations of specific models or product lines. I do have a few requirements above and beyond what I have already mentioned.
- Gigabit speed.
- Quiet or passively cooled.
- The less power hungry, the better.
- I don't mind used or rackmount stuff (as long as it's not consumer grade tat).
- I'm not sure what this kind of thing costs, so I won't put a budget but I will say that I'm looking for quality. If I have to pay for it (quality), so be it.
- Double digit NICs... again, I'm not 100% sure on how many I'll need.