Simplifying Home Automation After a Loss: Seeking Solutions for a Tech Overhaul

Hello, readers!

I recently faced a challenging situation when my father unexpectedly passed away about a month ago. He was a passionate home automation enthusiast who took it upon himself to transform our house using custom-coded Raspberry Pi devices. His DIY approach was primarily driven by a desire for enhanced security, but now, navigating this complex web of technology has become quite overwhelming for our family.

The Home Networking Conundrum

Our home is equipped with a labyrinth of 36 Ethernet ports scattered across various rooms, all interconnected through a main router located in the basement. If that weren’t enough, the wiring in the server room resembles a chaotic maze—complete with satellite, television signals, phone lines, and ceiling speakers all jumbled together, as seen in the images below:

In this jumble, there’s a large rack (if anyone knows the specific term for this, please share!) with those 36 Ethernet ports. To get internet access to any room, you need to plug an Ethernet cable from a switch into the rack.

The Plan for Simplification

My goal is to tidy up this chaotic setup to make it easier for my mother to sell the house without worrying about scaring off potential buyers. To achieve this, I’m looking to install a robust switch with 36 Ethernet ports directly connected to the existing rack. After some research, I’m considering the TP-Link TL-SG3452:

TP-Link TL-SG3452 Specifications

Key Requirements

• The switch needs to support gigabit Ethernet and should operate with minimal setup—ideally, something akin to a plug-and-play experience.
• It should include around 40 ports to accommodate future expansions, such as adding a network-enabled server.

Seeking Your Expertise

Navigating this tech labyrinth during such a difficult time has been daunting. I’m concerned about future system failures, especially with the Raspberry Pi devices involved, which could leave us in a bind if they go down. Any advice, alternative product recommendations, or general guidance on this process would be immensely appreciated