Seeking feedback on concepts for a unified garage solution.
Seeking feedback on concepts for a unified garage solution.
Hello, I'm planning to establish a network in my garage/workshop that's about 150 feet apart. I'm currently using the Unifi ecosystem and want to stay within that. Here are my thoughts:
1. Use DMSE Spf port and install underground fiber to a Pro 8 POE or similar. This would give the optimal setup but is quite complex and time-consuming. I'm considering it mainly because I need remote access for 3D scanning software, which is demanding on the GPU.
2. Construct a bridge. This option isn't the most cost-effective and might not provide sufficient speed given the short distance. The speeds are around 500Mbps each way, which isn't ideal.
3. Opt for U6 Mesh or U6 Mesh Pro. I'm leaning toward this since I already have an outdoor access point near the pool. I can connect the other mesh node to a POE+ adapter and then to a Flex 2.5G at the garage. I plan to use the two cameras in the garage for balanced performance without breaking the bank. The 5GHz uplink might face challenges at that range, but it should work if the signal is strong.
Note: My ISP is Starlink, and I'm in an area with no better options. My priority is keeping my local connection stable rather than maximizing speed. Thanks for your understanding, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions!
Choose a cheaper alternative by using a cat 6 cable buried underground instead of fiber. It’s affordable, reliable, and less prone to damage. Just dig shallow enough, wrap it in a simple outdoor protective casing, and ensure it’s rated for underground use. The additional cost for waterproofing is minimal.
That was another consideration, but I need to hide the big power cable that supplies the garage this summer. It’s going to be tough since I have a septic field and garden nearby. From what I know, it’s not best to bury those wires together in one trench because of possible interference. Also, I’d have to move a few feet because I sometimes bring my farm tractor and truck into the yard. Still, it should work.
Although not perfect, you can purchase well-insulated cabling and it works. Many installations required Ethernet wires to follow electrical pathways because it wasn’t feasible, and using adequately shielded cables was sufficient. I sometimes made extra runs just in case one failed while the other performed better—after all, if you’re there, it’s worth it. This approach isn’t recommended for professional settings due to potential interference, though "the customer is always right" applies here. Still, solid shielded cabling usually handles the job well even near electrical lines. Another easy option is to lay two separate loops with space between them during trenching, which keeps them apart and reduces conflicts.
I’m considering this plan now. Your advice was helpful—previously I thought the 2 in the same area caused too much interference. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ll use the shielded setup, keep a gap between the two, and place the Cat cable six inches above the power wire. The AWG2/3 aluminum cable should help block some interference, especially since the power line is buried 24 inches deep in sand. If the weather clears up, it’d be perfect!
In a purely professional context of course not. In the real world hahahaha oh dear this happens ALL THE TIME and it's so damn common. Also I do recommend some of this for both cables safety wise, protection wise and well to make it harder for the cable to be affected. It's pretty cheap and can save you a WORLD of pain. Just get the ones that ahve a pull wire in them already barely an extra cost but saves your sanity tenfold