I can assist with your outbuilding project. What specific help are you looking for?
I can assist with your outbuilding project. What specific help are you looking for?
Hello everyone, I’m seeking some guidance on this setup. We have an outbuilding connected via Cat6 cable spanning roughly 30 metres. Inside the house, the cable originates from our router. On the outbuilding side, should we install a network switch and a router together, or just a router? Also, could you suggest which option fits better for a budget of around £50 in the UK?
The setup is straightforward once you install a switch in the outbuilding. You can purchase any necessary components and it should function properly. Note: A switch will need power from the outbuilding, which you likely already have. No special requirements like 2.5 Gbps or POE are needed for basic home use. If you're unsure about specifics, it's probably not essential.
You don't require another router. A switch should suffice. To extend WiFi coverage beyond your main building, consider adding an access point. If you haven't already installed network cables, I'd suggest using single-mode fiber directly into the structure. This allows higher-than-gigabit speeds without physical contact, and it helps avoid grounding problems from buried copper between buildings. The only additions needed are switches with SFP+ ports on both ends or media converters to switch between copper and fiber.
You only require a network switch. For WiFi coverage in that area, you also need an access point.
We require just a single 1Gbps switch since our connection is 900Mbps. POE could help with the access point because we also need WiFi there.
We haven’t installed the cable yet, but we’ve already bought it. Our connection speed is 900mbps, which means we don’t require more than 1Gbps. You might find it confusing when people mention “buried copper”—do they mean just regular unshielded copper?
This refers to a copper wire placed underground. There could be issues if, for instance, a lightning strike occurs along the path and causes a surge at both ends. Fiber optic cables aren't conductive, so they're safe from such effects. If your cable isn't built for direct burial, you'll need to install conduit and run it through the ground. (The same applies to fiber.) Using a standard Cat6 riser spool won't be durable if you simply dig a trench and bury it.
Hey there! Just a quick note—what do you think about the message?
Ensure the ports have enough power for your PoE-connected AP. This switch supports PoE+ (802.3at/af) with a combined 65W capacity across the four ports, capping at 30W per port. If your PoE AP is compatible with PoE+ and stays under 30W, it should work well. Tips: Use extra Ethernet if needed—just run another cable alongside without terminating it. It can act as a backup for extra bandwidth or damaged cables. Keeps you from needing to redo the setup. Keep the pull-through cable in the conduit if you plan to run through it.