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I don’t currently have any firewall. I have ddwrt as my main router.

DD-WRT has a packet filtering firewall, statefull firewall, NAT and proxy functionality…

the switch I linked to is fanless.

you’re clients are 1gbe… you can get a brand new unmanaged 24 port gbe switch for $50/£56 a fraction of one of those machines… https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenda-Ethernet-Internet-Splitter-TEG1024D/dp/B09DPLVLPY/ -- not to mention you can get a used managed switch for less than half that.

if £56 is going to break your bank then get some double sided velcro and clean up your mess. wish you had mentioned your obscenely limited budget…

it’s €73 instead of €128.

you can replace the 17 power supplies with a server PSU… these should all be 12v DC input with a standard 2.1x5.5MM barrel connectors…

flip them up onto their face, with the rear facing up. if you want to get fancy you could even make a base that integrates a little wedge and rod for the power button.

get at least a 24 port switch and micro ethernet cables.

this could be cleaned up to a single row on one shelf with no visible wires other than the ethernet and power lead running up and to the back. 1 switch under the machines… 1 PSU instead of 17… even one power cord…

or a little cable management at the very least…

if you’re going to buy a no name switch, at least get a better one… https://www.amazon.com/TEROW-2-5G-POE-Multi-Speed-Compatible/dp/B0CGDF35P1