So I'm looking at switches and if I get a 10/100 I can find 16 - 48 port models from 40 to 90 bucks that have good specs. If I look at gigabit switches they start at 89 and go up from there. For mining pc's do I need gigabit switches? Al my other switches and router in my house are gigabit switches. Also I have a strong wifi all ready on 256 bit. I have a vpn with hardware firewall monitoring all the mining systems.
Here in the bay, we have a store called Wierdstuff that sells surplus electronics/equipment. I can usually pick up 16-64 port switches for $5-$25.... Slightly defective Agilent test gear to refurbish.... etc. just keep an eye out for something similar in your area.
I think the last switch I bought was a 3com, and had built in POE ports, as well as more internal features I have not looked into yet....
I really suggest a gigabit switch; its just going to keep latency and overall bandwidth restrictions to a minimum.
If the switch has an uplink port or some sort of high speed link ability to another device, you would use that to set up a one wire link to the shed as well.