Power over Ethernet for the home?

[Ryan]

My parents are moving to a new house and it's wired for ethernet. I'm trying to figure out the best/simplest way to set up Wifi around the entire house. I know once access point won't be enough—it's a big place with 3 stories. The home is wired for ethernet so I'm thinking the best option will be to set up an 8-port switch at the modem and then plug in a few WiFi access points around the house. They'll be able to hook up the Mac mini and Apple TV with ethernet but have strong WiFi access for the laptops, iPads and iPhones.

It's been a while since I had to look into networking equipment so I'm trying to figure out what the current state of the art is.

My initial thought is that power-over-ethernet would allow them to get some sort of wall-plug WiFi adapter. Discreet and simple, hopefully.

They'll have AT&T Uverse, FYI.

So I'm thinking I'd plug an 8-port PoE switch like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833150147) into the Uverse modem, then plug in the cables coming from around the house into that. From there I'd need some sort of PoE 802.11n access point. Does such a thing exist?

[turtle]

I would recommend you just inject the PoE on the lines you need. Don't go for a switch that does it unless you need to power that many devices. Something like this, but not this one specifically (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812998014). This gives you better control and limited fail points. I've not had great results with PoE switches. This also lets you get a better switch that will last longer than one with PoE.

This way you would add the access point to the network and add more as needed. Might even consider a beefy commercial grade version instead of a handful of lesser ones depending on the house. In one house I helped out with we went with this AP (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5678/ps10092/datasheet_c78-502793.html). Takes care of the whole house.

[hflomberg]

CAn you use ethernet to power 2 tin cans and some string? Isn't this a good place for a COBOL joke?

[Ryan]

I would recommend you just inject the PoE on the lines you need. Don't go for a switch that does it unless you need to power that many devices. Something like this, but not this one specifically (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812998014). This gives you better control and limited fail points. I've not had great results with PoE switches. This also lets you get a better switch that will last longer than one with PoE.

This way you would add the access point to the network and add more as needed. Might even consider a beefy commercial grade version instead of a handful of lesser ones depending on the house. In one house I helped out with we went with this AP (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5678/ps10092/datasheet_c78-502793.html). Takes care of the whole house.

Thanks, I'll look into injectors. Right now I haven't even seen the house or how the wiring is set up so I'm not making any decisions, just getting an idea for what my options are.