epoch1970
Posts: 5131
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 9:33 am
Location: Paris, France

Integrating an ethernet switch to a case

Tue Feb 14, 2017 6:25 pm

I would like to mount a switch flush to an enclosure in order to receive an upstream LAN connection, be able to connect a Pi sitting in the enclosure, and provide at least one port for a downstream LAN connection. In other words:

Code: Select all

 ===LAN  LAN (extra port)===...
+----‖----‖--------------------...
|    ‖    ‖  Enclosure
| +--‖----‖----------+
| | [P1] [P2]        |
| | Switch or router |      +-----------+
| | [PWR]        [P3]| ==== |[ETH] Pi 3 |
| +------------------+      +-----------+
|
+--------------------------------... 
Now since the Pi is inside the enclosure and a "normal" switch has all its ports facing in the same direction, there is a slight problem. I do not want to use a cable that would circle around the switch and connect to it. I do not want to use an USB adapter instead of a switch.

I have seen this product, PL-ES2105DI-M1, from XTDP-Link (?), doesn't look great but it has the rare characteristic of having one port facing out back. Seems to cost 18€
I've also found the BL-SF801, from LB-Link ;) this one has 8 ports in 2 rows of 4 at a right angle. It's cheaper at 13€ and fits the bill, although I don't really plan to need 4 ethernet ports inside the enclosure...
However, TL-SF1005D from TP-Link (Amazon link) is the cheapest of all under 7€; It has 5 ports and modern features I do like. It doesn't have the right shape, but looking at pictures of the board I wonder if I could rotate port 5 by 90° or so, in order to be able to plug the Pi from within the box.

So my question: is it possible/complex/easy to unsolder an ethernet jack and rotate it? I have never soldered anything properly, but if this is possible I might start looking for someone who can.
Cost is of paramount importance.

Thanks for your advice.
"S'il n'y a pas de solution, c'est qu'il n'y a pas de problème." Les Shadoks, J. Rouxel

Ernst
Posts: 1334
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 9:39 am
Location: Germany

Re: Integrating an ethernet switch to a case

Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:08 pm

I would like to point your attention to a switch that might be suitable
https://www.conrad.de/de/netzwerk-switc ... 83811.html
The road to insanity is paved with static ip addresses

epoch1970
Posts: 5131
Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 9:33 am
Location: Paris, France

Re: Integrating an ethernet switch to a case

Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:06 pm

Ernst wrote:I would like to point your attention to a switch that might be suitable
https://www.conrad.de/de/netzwerk-switc ... 83811.html
Thank you.
You're right, I considered this one, but price or availability was lacking. This product seems available under different brands, but "Black Box" is the most prominent I think.
This is the best price I've seen, by far. Thanks.
The pcb module PL-ES2105DI-M1 from XTDP-Link of similar mechanical design gets even less attractive considering the small price difference...

EDIT: This 2x4 ports model seems cheap enough and comes from an established brand: Edimax ES-3308P V3
"S'il n'y a pas de solution, c'est qu'il n'y a pas de problème." Les Shadoks, J. Rouxel

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