Simplifying Home Automation After a Loss: Seeking Advice on a Gigabit Switch

Hello everyone,

I recently experienced the unexpected passing of my father, a passionate home automation enthusiast. He meticulously transformed our home into a connected haven by creating customized systems using Raspberry Pi devices. His choice to rely on in-house solutions, rather than commercially available products that connect to external servers, was primarily driven by his commitment to security. Unfortunately, this has left our family in a bit of a bind as we navigate the complexities of this intricate setup.

A Closer Look at the Situation

Our home features an extensive array of 36 ethernet ports scattered throughout, all interconnected to a main router located in the downstairs server room. This setup, while innovative, has resulted in a tangled network of cables and devices, making it extremely challenging to manage. The central component of this network seems to be a large rack (though I’m unaware of the technical term for it) that hosts the 36 ethernet ports. Each room’s wall jack connects back to this rack via ethernet cables, allowing access to the internet.

The Task at Hand

My primary goal is to simplify this daunting network for the sake of my mother who intends to sell the house. We need to transform this elaborate setup into a more approachable system that won’t intimidate potential buyers.

I’m considering investing in a robust switch that can handle 36 ethernet ports directly connected to the existing rack. I’ve been eyeing the TP-Link TL-SG3452, which appears to fit the bill. Check it out here.

What I’m Looking For

Here are some requirements I have in mind for the switch:

• It needs to support gigabit ethernet and operate seamlessly without requiring complex configurations—ideally a Plug & Play solution.
• I’d appreciate a switch with around 40 ports to keep some extra capacity for future needs, such as connecting additional network-enabled servers or devices.

I’m reaching out to this community for guidance and expertise. This transition has been emotionally challenging for my family, and managing this home automation legacy has become an overwhelming responsibility. The thought of one of those Raspberry Pi