New Office Needs Assistance with Network Configuration
New Office Needs Assistance with Network Configuration
Hey there! I just moved into a new office and am thinking about how to organize the network setup. I run a small YouTube channel and work with an assistant editor. Since I’m using a NAS for editing, I want it easy to share project files. A contractor recently installed Ethernet ports at important spots and set up a CAT 5E patch panel in a wall-mounted rack. I also have a modem and router handling some switching temporarily. There’s a QNAP NAS with about 20TB of storage that I use for network data and backups. I think I need a switch next, but it’s a bit confusing which one to choose. Honestly, I’m unsure where to buy the right equipment. For now, a 24-port unmanaged switch seems suitable. I don’t think PoE is necessary, and since I’m managing IT for a small business, an unmanaged setup makes more sense because it saves time. I’m open to any suggestions—maybe a CAT6 patch panel and a NAS with CAT6 support? Both my editing machines have 2.5GB ports, so perhaps reconfiguring everything to that size would work. If things grow, I can upgrade later. Thanks for your help!
Essentially any gigabit 24-port unmanaged switch will fit. The manufacturer isn't crucial since all are quite similar. A network administrator doesn't rely on a particular category rating; they just need RJ45 connectors. You can also pull in 2.5GbE (and possibly more) from older Cat 5/5E standards, so your cabling should handle it. 5-port 2.5GbE switches tend to be costly, so consider getting a 5-port 2.5GbE for the devices that require it, and use 1GbE for the rest.
On many budget patch panels, the distinction between CAT5e and CAT6 comes down to the label, sometimes with an extra cost. You’re likely okay with the current CAT5e setup—like the time I switched to CAT6 on a labeled panel and still got 10Gb/s. TP-Link and Netgear offer very affordable and dependable switches. When it comes to managed versus unmanaged devices, most inexpensive smart switches from these brands work out of the box as unmanaged until you adjust settings. This can be useful if you intend to divide your network later (for example, linking a wireless access point and limiting NAS access to specific PCs). But you might need higher-end routing gear like a router with VLAN support for that. As mentioned before, CAT5e handles up to 2.5Gb/s, so the main concern is whether your NAS’s network card supports 2.5Gb/s and if you need to buy a replacement. If your video quality is moderate, editing files from a 1Gb/s link to the NAS could feel a bit slow for two people working together.
I don't like managing switches in small office settings. Going from one VLAN to another between workstations seems safer according to some cybersecurity experts. I've worked in this field for a long time and haven't seen any real VLAN protection against actual external threats. Breaking down the network vertically isn't really useful for security. The next talk will be about VLAN printers because they seem safer. I'm hearing about Skynet taking over printers and attacking office workers, as seen in Maximum OverDrive. Also, remember that VLANs can help reduce traffic by cutting down broadcast collisions. What I'm hearing from recent grads is that Cisco is trying to control everything. You don't need a patch panel—just get an unmanaged small switch with 2.5Gb speed and see how it goes. Invest in your NAS; it's likely the main bottleneck. At 2.5Gb, spinning drives hit their limits while SSDs shine.
You're welcome! I wasn't aware you could achieve higher speeds on CAT6. I assumed they'd artificially restrict it to encourage upgrades. For now, I'll use a 24-port unmanaged switch and connect cables directly from my patch panel to the switch since it's already installed. I agree with Weson; seeing the installation made me realize the need for a patch panel over a standard switch.
I understand the point well. VLANS by themselves aren't enough to secure a network unless firewalls and ACLs are properly configured to align, which is frequently neglected but simplifies management. Even small businesses need this for PCI compliance with card terminals—ensuring strong cybersecurity—and for separating guest networks from business operations. On the other hand, focusing on this can make managing your IT tasks much easier, especially if your channel grows rapidly.