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Hi, I’m a newbie on CA and this is my first post, and it's a long winded one. I’m about to update my home network backbone and looking for advice. Thanks for taking the time to read and even better if you can help. I’ve taken quite a bit of time to search for answers here and google without much luck (as it pertains to home network backbone structures). I'm hoping I haven't overlooked anything obvious - I can find info on downstream switch/hub setup, but not so much on the backbone. My home network has evolved over the past 10 years starting with basic internet/network, a 24 Port 10/100 Switch, Crestron Automation (mechanical), extensive conduit and CAT5e cable drops during renos (have 6 hardwired connections spaced around my office), NAS, ATV and 10 zones of Sonos etc. Then we added (bridged) another 24 Port 10/100/1000 Switch and more Crestron integration including digital automation controllers/wireless bridges and POE and other unmanaged remote switches. We’ve recently added 2 HDHomerun’s with dual tuners and NAS for DVR. Everything works… usually. I’m having some issues with the current setup from broadcast storms and network/internet freeze/drops. I can produce a broadcast storm by adding another Sonos ZP90 to Ethernet, it works fine with wireless. I’ve had comments from a young networking guy who suggests that the bridging of the 2 switches and too many tight turning and exposed wire ends in the patch panel causing x-talk. Could be one of these devices is starting to fail. My internet connection seems to disconnect several times a day – it’s getting to be a PITA for Roon use. My current setup includes a Motorola Surfboard SBG6580 Cable Modem (Cableco issued in bridge mode, less than 2 yrs old) > Netgear N600 Router (less than 2 yrs old) > Patch Panel > 2 switches – a 24 port 10/100 Dlink DES-1024D and a Netgear GS724T 24 Port Gig Smart Switch. Extensive Cat5e cable throughout the house and conduit to most rooms. I use 2 Airport Express WAP’s wired to the network and 4 other 5-8 port switch hubs scattered in the house. A 16TB FreeNAS Mini serving audio to 10 Sonos zones and a couple Roon end points. 2 other small backup NAS’s - one is used for recording OTA HDTV broadcasts and serving to Smart TV’s etc. Also streaming Netflix, Video, Spotify & Tidal to HT, ATV4, several smart TV’s and a dedicated listening room. 1 PC workstation, several laptops, tablets and smartphones. No VoIP. I’ve been recommended to upgrade to a single 48 Port Managed PoE layer 2 switch. Some of the Crestron gear is using PoE inserters and maybe upgrading to PoE WAPs. I’ve read about the benefits of Managed Switches & VLANs, but there seems to be some conflicting info on PoE implementation. I’ve seen recommendations for everything from Netgear Prosafe to Cisco Catalyst Layer 3 switches. I’m currently leaning toward Ubiquiti simply because our user experience at work with their gear & UI has been user friendly and bulletproof. A Cisco Catalyst 48P with PoE seems very expensive by comparison. But I expect to get 10+ years trouble free service from it so I don’t want to cut corners just to save $$. I have too much invested in the system to experiment and it’s going to be a big job rewiring the network closet. I’m interested in any advice regarding the modem, router, switch, WAPs, where to use PoE and power supply suggestions. Thanks for reading. Rod