ᐅ Planning a Network Cabinet and Home Server

rick2018 schrieb:

Then consider a NAS, for example from Synology. With Surveillance Station, you can record cameras, receive notifications, and more...
Of course, with the NAS you also have your own cloud and can do a lot more.

I have already saved Synology as an option. For my needs, an entry-level model is probably enough. Are there any recommendations?

Malunga schrieb:

In addition to Rick’s suggestion, I would recommend expanding your built-in devices to standard sizes;
a 24-port panel and a 48-port switch.
It doesn’t cost much more and keeps you on the safe side.
You might also be able to integrate PoE directly in the switch.
I would recommend a depth of 560mm (22 inches) if space is not an issue.

I definitely want a switch with PoE to power the doorbell and camera.

56cm (22 inches) is quite large; I had planned to mount it next to the electrical panel. Our utility room is not very big. Putting it on the floor is not an option, since we also have a water connection there.

Rick will probably laugh; but for us, it looks like this; the cabinet should not be any shorter because the Cat cables also need their space; and a little ventilation certainly won’t hurt

Rhyem86 schrieb:

A total of 13x Cat7 cables are coming into the utility room.

Is that final? Are connections for access points included? Access point for the terrace/garden? Network for the EV charger? Double outlets in the rooms? ... Just some thoughts.

Rhyem86 schrieb:

19'' enclosure

Compared to a 10" cabinet, you have a wider range of devices or components available. For the depth, I would start at 450mm (18 inches). 400mm (16 inches) would be too tight for me. It depends on which devices you want to install. A removable side panel can also be helpful. If you want to install a NAS, 9U is already quite full.

Rhyem86 schrieb:

19'' 16 Port Patch Panel

For the patch panel, I would go straight for a 24-port version. It doesn’t take up more space but allows for expansion. Have you worked with an LSA patch panel before? It can be quite tricky once several cables are terminated there. Personally, I now prefer keystone modules for patch panels. You terminate each cable individually and snap it into the desired position.

Rhyem86 schrieb:

19'' 16 Port Switch

The linked switch does not support PoE. Whether a switch supports PoE is found in the technical specifications. You choose a PoE switch based on the devices that need power: PoE standard? PoE budget? Number of PoE ports? Also keep in mind that beyond a certain size, these devices have active cooling. Such fans are not always very quiet.

NAS:
I would also go for a Synology NAS. I have one from the J series and would definitely choose a higher class from their range with my next purchase. But I’m currently not up to date on the latest models.

Just mount a 19" cabinet on the wall. You will definitely regret the 10" space-saving version. If it’s mounted near the ceiling, the depth is less important; I would simply check the depth of the devices to be installed and then add about 20 cm (8 inches). By the way, the mounting rails are not located right at the front but set back about 5–10 cm (2–4 inches), so you still have some room to maneuver the cables. That means a 60 cm (24 inches) depth effectively becomes about 50 cm (20 inches), minus the depth of the devices plus a reserve. With a 60x60 cm (24x24 inches) cabinet, you hardly ever go wrong in the networking segment.

Rhyem86 schrieb:

I’ve already saved Synology. For my purposes, an entry-level model will likely be enough. Are there any recommendations?

It depends on how many cameras you want to connect. Generally, avoid the j-series models—it’s unclear why that junk even exists. The Value series works well, and if you want a bit more power, go for the Plus series. I guess you’ll end up with the DS223 or DS124, depending on what else you want to do with it, such as backup server, file server, central photo storage, or similar. If you want to be sure whether it’s compatible with your cameras (which should support ONVIF by the way), just search for “Synology NVR advisor.”

By the way, I would recommend removing any links from your posts as soon as possible. This forum is quite particular about external links.

hanse987 schrieb:

Is this already final? Have connections for access points been implemented? Access point for the terrace/garden? Network to the charging station? Double outlets in the rooms? ... Just some thoughts.

No outdoor APs are planned. The house isn’t that big. Or do you think that if I’m picking apples in the 800 sqm (8600 sq ft) garden, I would miss the postman ringing because of bad reception?
No charging station planned. Double outlets are installed.
Just out of curiosity: Do I have to mount APs for the terrace/garden in weatherproof housings? Are they resistant to water and other influences?

hanse987 schrieb:

Compared to a 10" cabinet, you have a larger selection of devices or components. For the depth, I would start at 450mm (18 inches). 400mm (16 inches) would be too tight for me. It depends on what devices you want inside. A removable side panel can also be helpful. If you want to put a NAS in, then 9 rack units will already be quite full.

Yes, the 10" cabinet will probably be too small.

hanse987 schrieb:

For the patch panel, I would go straight for a 24-port one. It doesn’t take more space but offers expansion options. Have you ever worked with an LSA patch panel? It can be quite stubborn when several cables are punched down. Personally, I now prefer patch panels with keystone modules. Each cable is mounted individually and clipped into the desired position.

I have thought about whether two switches would be enough and cheaper since only the cameras need PoE. For example, a 5-port PoE switch and a 12-port non-PoE switch.

hanse987 schrieb:

NAS:
I would also go for a Synology NAS. I have one from the J series and will definitely choose a higher class in rackmount format when buying a new one. But currently, I’m not up to date on what is available.

What are the alternatives to a NAS? What about an NVR? It stores images too, right? Can I also access the videos via my phone including live view and alarms?
Or can I just connect a hard drive to my router (Fritzbox) and have the pictures stored there?

My wife is not interested at all in this technology, so the budget is limited and I lack arguments. For now, I definitely want to invest in security. I currently don’t need a media server or additional storage for private data.

The walls are now plastered, so laying additional cables would require extra effort. My wife would kill me if I start chasing new cable channels and making a mess now xD

Araknis schrieb:

Just mount a 19" cabinet on the wall. You will definitely regret the 10" small-space version. If it’s mounted near the ceiling, depth is less critical. I would simply check the depth of the devices to be installed and add about 20 cm (8 inches). The mounting rails are not directly at the front but recessed 5-10 cm (2-4 inches), so you still have room to maneuver the cables. That means from a 60 cm (24 inch) deep cabinet you have only 50 cm (20 inches) left after subtracting the device depth plus clearance. In network environments, a 60x60 cm (24x24 inch) cabinet is almost never the wrong choice.

Thanks for the advice! It will be a 19" cabinet.

Araknis schrieb:

It depends on how many cameras you want to connect. Generally, stay away from the J series. No idea why that rubbish even exists. The Value series is good, and if you want a bit more power, the Plus series. I think for you it will come down to the DS223 or DS124, depending on what else you want to use it for, e.g. backup server, file server, centralized photo storage, or so. If you want to be sure whether it works with your cameras (which should support ONVIF by the way), just search for "Synology NVR advisor."

We have a Cat7 cable at the entrance for the doorbell, and two Cat7 cables at the roof eaves on two corners of the house (northwest and southeast corners). Was that too sparse? Honestly, this topic never came up during the house planning and is now something I’m addressing last-minute. Of course, I accept that not everything will be as simple or even possible anymore.

At some point, electric vehicles will become common (hopefully the house will last longer than combustion engines are allowed ;-)

Wi-Fi usually has trouble penetrating modern walls and glazing, meaning the signal outdoors often doesn’t reach well.

It’s better to plan for an outdoor (PoE) Wi-Fi access point (Unifi?)—for example, to have coverage on the terrace table, for a home office, guest Wi-Fi outdoors, etc.

As mentioned, use a keystone patch panel and take your time during installation. Every mistake costs three times as much time when troubleshooting later (especially without good test equipment).

For 2–3 devices that require PoE, I wouldn’t use a 24-port PoE switch but rather PoE injectors. These can also be neatly stored in the cabinet (purchase cost and total power consumption will be lower).