Simplifying Home Automation After Loss: Seeking a Solution for a 36-Port Gigabit Switch

Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you well. I recently faced an unexpected and poignant challenge: the passing of my father about a month ago. He had a fervent passion for home automation, transforming our house into a smart haven utilizing his own custom-coded Raspberry Pis. While his dedication was commendable, it has left the rest of us grappling with an overwhelming technical setup that we barely understand.

Visual Documentation:

For those interested, I’ve included some images of the current state of our home networking setup for context:

The Challenge at Hand:

The home is equipped with a daunting array of 36 ethernet ports spanning various rooms, all neatly tied together with a rack device that I can only describe as chaotic. This setup houses not just the networking components but also connections for satellite, TV signals, phone lines, and ceiling speakers. The main router is located downstairs, and the entire network connectivity is derived from this tangled nest of wires.

To clarify, that rack device (which I am still uncertain about what to call—if anyone could shed light on its proper name, it would be immensely helpful!) consists of 36 ports. Essentially, to connect any of the wall ports in the rooms to the internet, I need to plug an ethernet cable from a switch into this rack.

My Goal:

My immediate objective is to streamline this complex setup to facilitate a smoother transition for my mother as we prepare the house for sale. The last thing we want is to intimidate potential buyers with a convoluted tech setup. I’m contemplating investing in a single 36-port switch that could simplify this entire mess. The model I’m considering is the TP-Link TL-SG3452.

You can check it out here: TP-Link TL-SG3452.

What I’m Looking For:

1. Gigabit Ethernet Capability: The switch must support gigabit speeds to ensure optimal performance across the network.
2. Plug-and-Play Functionality: I need a