Get as much core infrastructure stuff as you can with SFP(+ or 28). Uses DACs where the lengths dictate (fairly reasonably priced) and transceivers/glass where you need further runs or confined space pulls to other rooms. Where you absolutely have to go with copper transceivers. For example, the only 10G I run at home over twisted pair is from my synology to my distribution switch. I only have one workstation that runs multigig which is my editing/gaming PC. Everything else is gig so no worries.

Nope. I have a Zima Board that I am actually doing some experimenting with right now and when I took it out of the box…I PXE booted Clonezilla and then installed Alpine…then Debian and I’m constantly PXE booting other things (WinPE, MS-DOS, RHEL 9, etc).

My grandfather’s basement. Luckily my radio lab is all solid state and synthesized. His was all hollow state and rock bound.

With a 8 SU limitation, sounds more like a 802.11ad solution is in use.