8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch

I’m wanting to place a simple unmanaged 8-port gigabit ethernet switch in my attic to use for hard-wired network access to each room in the house because at the top of the attic’s pull-down stairs is where all the bare wire cat5e cables terminate at a punch block; which was previously used for the telephone system. Now, the problem I anticipate with this plan is that most all switches I’ve researched have environmental specifications of 0� to 40� C (32� to 104� F) which is not within the attic’s maximum extremes which are approx -20� to 55� C (-4� to 130� F) I have found what’s called industrial switches that can operate in such environments but they are far too expensive for what I wish to spend. ($75.00 USD is my budget)
Of course I realize all the obvious solutions: change location of switch, use a wireless, etc., but all the cable is terminated at one place and all the wall jacks are wired in each room of the house so I ‘d like to try and make use of what’s there first.
If anyone knows of a switch that is rated to operate in said temperatures that’s within my budget or another possible solution; please reply with a link or comment.
Answer #1
Well, i would give it a try. Cause such specification doesn’t mean, the device cannot operate outside that borders (for a specific amount of time).
If the room is dry in winter then my biggest concern would be addressed. Does the switch have a fan? If not, you could spend him a fan just for the hot days, but 15 degrees are not such a big difference.
Answer #2
I’m gonna have to disagree with on this one!
15 degrees over the maximum allowed can make a very significant difference in terms of reliability.
And $75 is simply NOT enough money for your intended usage. While there are some affordable gigabit switches
that can operate up to 50C (And would probably withstand an extra 5 degrees) none of em can operate in sub-zero temperatures! So you don’t have that many options, Let’s see, You could:
1. Invest a small fortune on an industrial switch.
2. Re-route your cables & patch panel elsewhere.
You’ll probably need to hire a contractor for this line of work.
3. Use Homeplugs (Ethernet Over Power Lines)
4. Forget about the Ethernet idea, And just buy a really good router with high-gain antennas.
Such router, When placed at an open area at the center of the house, Should usually give you a pretty good signal (This of course would mean you’ll have to move your modem/main router to the same location as well!)
Ethernet would always be better of course, But if you ask me, Wireless (When done right) is not that bad! It just got a bad reputation due to cheap routers (usually ISP provided) that has poor antennas, Or just poor placement (I.E in a room at the far side of the house) Traffic congestion can also be an issue, If there are a lot of wireless routers in your area (But there are ways to optimize it!)
Answer #3
4. Forget about the Ethernet idea, And just buy a really good router with high-gain antennas.
Such router, When placed at an open area at the center of the house, Should usually give you a pretty good signal (This of course would mean you'll have to move your modem/main router to the same location as well!)
Ethernet would always be better of course, But if you ask me, Wireless (When done right) is not that bad! It just got a bad reputation due to cheap routers (usually ISP provided) that has poor antennas, Or just poor placement (I.E in a room at the far side of the house) Traffic congestion can also be an issue, If there are a lot of wireless routers in your area (But there are ways to optimize it!)
Thanks for replying Roberto.
I was preparing for this being the ultimate solution; it’s just that I’m rooted in old school and always favored hard-wired over wireless.
But as you point out, the technology has come a long way and it certainly would be an easy way to meet all the criteria of the current layout.
Really the only thing that would concern me is maintaining the quality of media streaming; as I have “pulled the plug” on TV cable service providers.