Mixed UI / Araknis network ?

[TundraSonic]

As some are aware we've had a plethora of random and persistent problems since our system was installed 4 years ago. Our integrator is finally doing something about it, starting with swapping our EA-5 which I and a few on here have suspected might have bad memory. He also wants to put in an Araknis switch for the C4 stuff.

My gut says that a hybrid network like this is likely to create more problems than it solves. But perhaps there's a good/safe/secure way to do it?

C4 System: 1 EA-5, 1 EA-5 Extension, 4 EA-1, 2 T3's, 82 channels panel dimmers (DIMM-8), 8 remotes, 2 Triad 16 channel amps.

Other HA/Media on network that EA-5 talks to: 8 Apple TV's, 8 TV's, 4 Anthem receivers, Security panel, ≈40 LIFX lamps, ≈ 40 Hue lamps, Honeywell Redlink, Lutron shades, Lutron Casetta switches and other stuff, Yale locks, a variety of other stuff (garage door sensors/controllers, motion sensors, etc.).

Network: ≈90 ethernet devices, 9 WiFi AP's, ≈120 WiFi devices, several VLAN's. 

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[msgreenf]

It should not cause issues. It's common to mix brands. That's what standards allow for.

[ekohn00]

6 hours ago, TundraSonic said:

 

Network: ≈90 ethernet devices, 9 WiFi AP's, ≈120 WiFi devices, several VLAN's. 

Thoughts?

Thanks.

It’s easy to overlook the management of a network, but if you have a switches, APs all under UI, I would keep everything UI so you have a common management platform. ESPECIALLY since you want to use VLANs. 

Sure you could mix and match….but now you have additional obstacles to go through if you do have network problems.

[Cyknight]

Mixing gear (brands) as such is usually not a problem, especially for basic stuff (ie don't throw in a random parent control device) and certainly not with most main brands (exceptions exists, I had a client put in netgear switch once that would kill a dlink switch but worked fine on testing with a planet switch off site - but they are exceptions)

Management wise the post above has a point, but it all depends on how much you expect to have to deal with the switch vs the dealer easily remotely checking port statuses if their are issues etc, or a programmed or manual remote reboot of a PoE port.

 

It's easy to argue both ways - point being mostly that either way is fine.

[TundraSonic]

Thank you guys!