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Cake day: November 9th, 2023

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  • OP, please listen to this. IT closet, conduits.

    You keep mentioning IoT/5V/12V. Very few items in day-to-day use will be powered like this.

    I started with Z-Wave, but ended up moving away from that due to too many devices and single-point-of-failure (the hub). Due to how messages are relayed, one bad or failing device can create a broadcast storm and take down everything. Zigbee competes with the same part of the radio spectrum as WiFi and also has a single-point-of-failure (the hub). I now exclusively use wifi for things. TPlink Kasa for switches and outlets, plug-in switched outlets, Shelly for motion sensors, relays (garage door)

    Networking - Router: Use something like pfsense or opnsense. This will control DHCP, DNS, inter-VLAN routing. A separate VLAN and associated firewall rule will allow you to block your “IoT” items from getting out of the network.

    Networking - Switching: for ease of use, use UniFi switches. These will control port PoE, VLAN port assignment.

    Networking - Wireless: again, for ease of use, use UniFi WAPs. These are easy manage and for a second or third SSID, tagged to a “IoT” VLAN that you block from internet access. Strategically place WAPs for best coverage. At any given time, I have ~75 things on the wireless network amongst 4 WAPs

    Home alarm system: 2-wire all door and window reed sensors to the IT closet. Use Konnected or something like that.

    Cameras: All good cameras nowadays are PoE. Use a non-consumer grade of ONVIF/RTSP camera, think Axis, or possibly even UniFi Protect. Condiut and ethernet to external (or internal) camera location. Mind your field-of-view angles to insure coverage.

    Voice control: Google Home/Alexa/Apple speaker pucks. This is where you will want to find creative places to stick power outlets. Most of these things have their own power brick.

    Home audio: For both whole home or TV/theater - Sonos is the 800lb gorilla here. They need mains and ethernet. They can make their own mesh via wifi, but I prefer hard-wiring everything, especially if you can plan it out.

    Someone mentioned window shade control. This is where you may need some 12V or proprietary plug; that recessed box would be good for this.

    Also, don’t forget a low-voltage conduit from the house’s telecom/data service entrance. You may have copper or coax provider handoff now, but they could give you a fiber handoff one day.

    Run one more empty conduit to an area near your mains panel. If you get solar, the combiner panel needs network.

    I could go on and on…