I have 36 machines. They are all copies of each other as far as the network goes. PLC is always kept at 192.168.0.100. The idea is to run a line to every machine. And do 1:1 Port Aware NAT translation. Plugging into the spare port on PLC comm coprocessor. They’re L18s or whatever so no extra network card. Right?
The server lives at: 120.120.80.212
For example:
Port 1 --> 192.168.0.100:44818 --> 120.120.80.1 <–> Server
Port 2 --> 192.168.0.100:44818 --> 120.120.80.2 <–> Server
I have a couple of these machines already on a cheap(<50$) ubiquity 5 port edge router. Using this strategy and they work really well. Bought me time to integrate them. They, however, don’t have din rail and the have a barrel plug adapter for power. They do make a rack-mountable 12port. I am pretty fond of there simple web UI. These cabinets are full as it is too on the machines. AB’s translator starts at like 800$ for a two-port. There are other device-level switches. But, I want to do this in the server closet. Our 3rd party IT people won’t help. Come to find out today after a heated meeting that they sub-contract their switch programming out. Lol
So does anyone have the hookup for a similar easy to use a network switch with 48 or so ports? Or 4 of the ubiquity edge routers?
You’re looking for a 48 port router, which really isn’t a thing. My suggestion is get a 48 port switch, assign each of your machines to their own VLAN, and then use an upstream router to handle all your NAT needs.
Ubiquiti does make some 48 port switches, but I would advise towards more ‘industry ready’ hardware (Cisco, Arista, Aruba, etc.) or use whatever your IT department is comfortable with. If your budget only allows for Ubiquiti then so be it, just know that it may end up being the weak link sometime down the road.
Some do. I have a Catalyst 3750G Poe-48 From 2006. And it seems that it does not support NAT translation at the port. It's unclear what this switch is I was told it was a layer 3 switch. It was EOL in 2012 lol. This is what our IT guy gave me.
But, yeah, Ideally I have one box set up for these machines. Not a couple of boxes doing IT things that are going to be difficult for me to set-up and maintain.
This is what I am trying not to do. With the advancement of network switch equipment. It really should be a thing Lol. And that thing should be able to be set up by someone like me. As far as down the road goes all this box will ever do is what I am describing above. Famous last words. I know.
I am hesitant to use the ubiquity, although the edge router I have has been great. Which is why I am asking for a more robust solution. Or run openWRT on something. That might be easier. They are going into a server closet. I have a budget for a nice device. I just need to find the device. If it is actually a thing. Thanks, man!
If you've gotten things working on your test setup I see no reason why you couldn't do it yourself with a switch/router-on-a-stick setup. It'll take 1U more space but you'll gain features like firewall that an L3 switch won't offer. That being said, I am interested if anyone else can recommend you a product that does what you're looking for.
I really like this guy. I am trying to reach out to someone smarter than I to confirm. Uses routerOS and that is what is on the ubiquity if i recall correctly. 500$ suggested msrp: CRS354-48G-4S+2Q+RM
For good prices on MikroTik products you can’t beat these guys. Outside the US but I’ve never had any issues and I’ve spend upwards of 10k $ with them.
Have you looked at the device statistics for a single connection? That’ll give you an idea of the number of requests per second. Figure on the order of 512 bytes each direction per request, times 8bits per byte on the wire. I would expect 25 tags to fit in a single multi-function request, especially if you use a UDT in the PLC to consolidate items. Which suggests that unit has plenty of bandwidth for your needs.
I appreciate the Mikrotek links. A few years ago, layer 3 switching was red-hot, and you had your pick of Juniper, Netgear, Cisco/Linksys/Meraki, Ubiquiti, HP. I tried Mikrotek but their web and command interface was just terrible. Then it all just disappeared and the big players wanted to separate switching and routing again.
Ubiquiti’s still a solid player, and I think they’re impossible to beat if you also need PoE, but I will pick up a new Mikrotek for my next project and see how it performs.
Lightweight, easy to get in to my rack which is over 2M tall… much easier than the 3KVA UPS that went up there… Good build quality I don’t imply it feels cheaply built
Plugged it in, connected SFP to separate Switch and connected a few 10G connections, didn’t even go in to the console, it just worked
Con’s:
Did go in to the management to try and control the fan speed. Whilst it will report the setpoint is 41DegC for fan activation, there is no control, just status. OK for a server server room, but not so good in my day to day office
I go my L3 switch in today. It had a screw not floating around in it. Lol.
I had to take case apart and find it. It was one that holds the pcb to the frame. I made it up. I am glad I shook it like a kid under a Christmas tree first lol.
I am updating firmware currently. I am going to take it home as homework over the weekend. And set it up.
