Newbie - Setting up a Home Network - Need Advice

techquest

So as you can see there's confusion in your opening para.

There is also also confusion in the above para as the 600 you've stated obviously wouldn't slot into your 550mm space anyway.

Sorry for the confusion I caused, I was obviously having a bad few moments it seems. Your 550 x 550 space is plenty enough for the Penn Elcom R6418V-M6 which for sure is 17.72" (450 mm) deep and what I believe to be 19" (482.6 mm) wide. But my guess is we should both recheck that to make sure as Penn Elcom only quote the depth of the R6418V-M6 product on the site. I can't find anywhere that states the width, which I am assuming is 19", but that could be a wrong assumption on my part.

As I said the 450 of the R6418V-M6 or 550 depth of your space will only give you an issue should you ever consider putting a server into your rack/cab/space because servers are usually much deeper than that, albeit you can supposedly get shallow/short depth versions of servers.

Markr123

I think techquest raises a good point. What is going in the rack in the cupboard longer term? If you ever plan to put rack mount nas / pc / server then you will need a 600 deep rack. You might get away with 550  it would be really tight. Even then, in a cupboard as you have posted, heat will be a challenge.

My (work in progress (currently wiring the house) in the under stairs cupboard has a bunch of kit.
For servers, I use Dell PowerEdge R210’s as they are short depth. My FreeNas box is also in a short case of -450mm.

techquest

Nice piece of kit Markr123 and as you say a short depth server. Yes I agree on the heat aspect but would assume that mosh might include a fan system if he's at all going down the route of installing a server. The problem with that, as we all know, is noise which is inevitable, no matter what manufacturers claim to be quiet.  

Did you install a Cat cabling system? Is your terminal also under the stairs or in another part of the house?

Markr123

Cheers techquest. It’s been a labour of love and expense! I’ve run cat6 from patch panel to faceplates downstairs (x6 living room, x6 to study, a number to various Ubiquiti AP’s and I’m running another x20 to a patch panel in the loft for distribution to other parts of the house inc AP’s and CCTV. I’ve recently run x2 fibre cables (with LAG) to another managed switch in an out building.

Currently rethinking cooling / heat extraction. Have several temp controlled fans to circulate air. Manage to keep around 30 degrees most of the time but it’s very challenging when the Dells are all running too. Never underestimate how much heat a NAS and a few switches - especially PoE ones generate in a fairly confined space!!

Sorry, not sure of your meaning re “terminal”. I have PC’s in the study and also my master socket.

Markr123

Mosh, I can highly recommend the comms express datacel cabs. I have one in the garage and another going in the loft soon.
Furthermore, the Ubiquiti switches are great at moderating their own temp only using the fans when needed. I used to have a Netgear Switch where the fans ran 24/7 at 100%. Even in the cupboard, there was just an annoying hum. My new Netgear managed switches are passive so silent. The Ubiquiti just spools up for a short time when it needs.

techquest

Just the interface to the system, VDU and keyboard. Was interested as it was under the stairs, but you answered my Q in your statement above.

Netgear make good gear, I have recommended their stuff in countless installations I've been involved in and have a few myself.

Good to see you've got some cat6 in the network, fibre too. I was fortunate to work for one of the best cable manufactures in the world so I got to work and play with both copper and fibre, single mode & multi mode, and all the specifications as they evolved. So installing fibre was a no brainer and a simple process for me in my own network.

As you have pointed out to mosh noise and heat are two things to watch out for, particularity if your going to be running the installation 24/7.

mosh

Thanks Mark and Techquest. I'm in the process of creating a list with price etc. Of everything that I'll need and post it up. In terms of server I'm not really thinking of having one yet but wanted know if having one is beneficial given how cheap AWS is to store days etc. But I need to think of the use cases for it.

techquest

Yes unless you're really into the techie side of stuff then a dedicated server is hard to justify, but there's nothing like the real thing and being able to touch and play with the equipment. I agree AWS probably makes sense for those who don't want their own dedicated server and the expense that goes with one.

Looking forward to seeing the list

mosh

Hey Guys, so here is the list of things i'm looking to buy to complete the home setup. I'm sure I've missed some things off, but feel free to step in please!

1. Starting off with the Rack:

Comms Rack 18U 550x550 Rack - £117.60   £34.80 Castors = £152.40
-- There doesn't seem to be much choice in blanking plates and shelves (including telescopic), wondered if I can buy some from say Cable Monkey:
RR-S11 - 450MM Deep Shelf: £19.20
RR-S1 300MM deep shelf: £14.00
PDU: Dynamode 6 Way: £18.16
Cable MGT - Not many on Comms Rack
24 Port Cat6A Patch Panel - SGF24 : £59.94 (CPC)
1U Rack fan (x4): £65.99 (CPC)
Sub-Total: £329.59

2. Cabling:
Belden 6A 305M Reel: £160 (Amazon)
0.15M patch panel (£1.20 each x 12) = £12 (Cat 6a Patch Cable | RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Shielded 0.15m for Sale
Sub-Total: £172

3. Components:
  Ubiquiti UniFi Switch 24 250W (US-24-250W): £340
  Ubiquiti USG Pro 4 Router: £240
  Ubiquiti Cloud Key G2 Plus: £184.68
  Ubiquiti UniFi AC SHD: £280
Sub-Total: £1,045

I've left out the Ethernet wall plates but looking for advice on where you buy your RJ45 boots and tools as I want to get the wireless network up first. @t

Thanks!

techquest

Looking good and nothing wrong with any of the spec you've chosen.   Maybe look at Startech for rack fixtures and fittings

Server Rack Accessories | Server Management | StarTech.com

But there are probably loads of other places out there and your okay for standard 19" stuff as you have the 550 wide rack. Wish I could come and play.

Just remember if your going to need to tie in any Cat 6a cables/patch cords use velcro type ties, plastic cable ties can very easily damage the cables/cords.