This topic of discussion feels better suited to /r/sysadmin or /r/DataHoarder but I'll let it slide.

Two separate topics:

1. You need a Local Area Network (LAN) to connect all of your computers together.
   
2. You need a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device to provide shared storage for all of your projects.
   
   With project sizes of 100GB, Wireless Solutions are out of the question.
   Focus all of your attention on WIRED LAN solutions.
   
   You need a router, such as the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter 4.
   
   And you need a half-way decent LAN switch such as the Ubiquity US-24
   
   Then you're going to need a NAS appliance.
   
   With a NAS solution, you MUST think in terms of RAID.
   
   One single physical hard disk with everyone's projects on it is a recipe for a data loss nightmare.
   You need redundant disks. AND you need a data backup solution.
   
   Redundant disks are NOT a backup solution.
   
   Say that out loud, right now.
   
   

   Redundant disks are NOT a backup solution.
   

   
   You need something like Carbonite or BackBlaze to copy all of your work projects up to a cloud storage provider.
   
   There are dozens of different backup solutions out there. Use your Google. Research those service offerings and find one that works for you.
   
   Synology is the most frequently recommended low to mid-range NAS solution.
   
   It's a pretty good product for the money.
   
   You need to identify just how much storage you require.
   
   Let's say you have 12 x Projects being worked on right now, and each project is 200GB of data. That's 2.4TB of storage.
   But you also want the past 50 projects available in the NAS. 50 x 200GB is 10TB.
   
   So, you need something in the 15TB of storage range, WITH REDUNDANCY.
   
   Western Digital Red drives are designed for use in NAS appliances (24x7 continuous operation in RAID arrays).
   
   https://www.wdc.com/products/business-internal-storage/wd-red-pro.html
   
   The more physical disks you use, the faster your I/O operations can be, since the workload will be spread across the physical drives.
   So we need to find the right balance of cost v/s performance.
   
   This Synology unit for example supports 8 physical disks.
   
   8 x 6TB = 48TB minus 12TB for parity data to create redundancy == 36TB of usable space.
   
   https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS1817+
   
   -----
   
   If you have further questions about the LAN solution, we can discuss it here.
   
   If you have further questions about the Synology or a similar storage solution, please start a new thread in a more appropriate community for assistance.
   
   We prefer to keep /r/networking focused on networking discussions.
   

Why not try the Unifi 24-port PoE-less switch and get a larger PoE injector?

Puts you at <US$350 shipped and keeps things fairly simple, no?

You could add any eight-port switch, even save a bit if it doesn't need to be managed (or necessarily managed by Unifi).

If you want to go "pro" on the "cheap", get an Ubiquiti Network UniFi Switch or if you're more old school and want the CLI and more fancy L3 features, the EdgeSwitch. It's enterprise quality gear at SOHO prices.

This is what I use personally: https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-US-24-Unifi-Switch/dp/B01LZBLO0U/ref=sr_1_5

Like all Unifi series gear from Ubiquiti it requires running their management software to configure it. Makes it super easy to setup if you're not into the CLI thing. Their Wifi AP's and other gear are reasonably priced and kick ass as well.

If you want to stay in the same ecosystem, here’s my recommendation for Ubiquity. You may need more than 1 AP depending on the layout of the house, walls and placement.

Modem: ARRIS SURFboard Gigabit Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem, 10 Gbps Max Speed, Approved for Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity, (SB8200 Frustration Free) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DY16W2Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OdcqDbMF39946

Router: Unifi Security Gateway Pro 4-Port https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019PBEI5W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Switch for non PoE gear: Ubiquiti US-24 Unifi Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZBLO0U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7fcqDbNRQ3ZRH

Switch for PoE gear: Ubiquiti UniFi Switch 8 60W (US-8-60W) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU3WUX1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MicqDbTHS34TA

Access Point(s): Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac Dual-Radio PRO Access Point (UAP-AC-PRO-US) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PRO512/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YhcqDb6EEP86C

Looks like a new one is $195-220 on Amazon, I bet you could put it on there for $160-180 easy and get it sold, just make sure you note that it was only a year old and used. https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01LZBLO0U/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8

> but I don't know if they sell one with 4 ports.

You can get up to 6 keystone jacks in a 1-gang box

> I thought that I would buy a new rack-mountable switch and patch panel. This is what I've been considering:

Like /u/toaster_knight said, get a vertical or deeper one. I would strongly recommend an actual enclosure with a locking door for an office environment.

I also see no reason to put anything smaller than a 24-port in a rack. It's just a waste of space and money.

I would also recommend at least a SMB-level switch. Yes, they are more expensive, but their uptime and management capabilities are worth it IMO. The Ubiquiti 24-port switch is under $200 IIRC.

> I'm assuming that I can rest the router on top of the switch.

That will probably be fine, but you can get rackmount shelves and drawers as well. The shelf is nice because you can remove the switch without messing about with the router.

> I'd also like to buy some type of cable organizers for inside the ceiling. I normally use those small cable clips, but they seem to be intended for one cable. I've seen velcro used, but I'm not sure how to actually secure the cables.

You can get joist hangers, but inside a ceiling, the cables are usually just bundled and left loose or in a tray. If you have a drop ceiling, there are a wide variety of products designed for your support system.

I would also recommend a UPS and a power distribution panel. UPS for obvious reasons and the power panel will let you easily power cycle each component without having to dig into the back--something that gets much harder after rack-mounting.

Why do you need to create a VLAN for your guest WiFi? I'm fairly sure (like 80% sure) that within the Unifi AP config, you can create a guest network and segregate it from your main network. It's not a true VLAN, but it accomplishes the same thing.

What are you using for you Layer 3 device? A consumer WiFi router or a pfSense box?

If you want to stay in the Unifi environment you can pick up a non-PoE 24-port switch for ~$190

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-US-24-Unifi-Switch/dp/B01LZBLO0U/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2IPPCTEPR6CMS&keywords=unifi+24+port+poe+switch+250w&qid=1566319361&s=gateway&sprefix=unifi+24%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-5

​

Edited to fix typos...

So should something like this work better?

Using this USG

And using this Switch

Then I was going to just grab a 24 Patch Panel and a small Wall Mounted Rack off of Monoprice. Then Whenever I expand the network later, I wont be having to buy more. Unless I'm just over killing.