View Full Version : Network setup
Ok just running my ideas for the network layout past you. The first is option 1.
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1811/option1nx4.jpg
Excuse the pic knocked up in paint. Now the main issue is that all the network traffic is going down one 100mb link. Why oh why there are not gigabit routers is insane, anyway.
Here is option 2.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/987/option2yn3.jpg
I'm more going this route. The main pain in the butt is that I might need a gigabit switch essentially just passing traffic. This is simply due to the length of wire needed to get from the router location right at the front to the office at the back of the house.
I'm tempted to get some crimpers and cable the thing myself rather than using pre-done cable. The other issue is to find a non crap switch. Has anyone got some ideas with regards to a switch? Anything upto £100 for a half decent one. Again years gone I would have just shoved netgear in there.
Both images are the same :|
There's a subtle difference :)
Must have seen it just as you edited it ;D
The main difference between the two setups is the fact I have to run two cables upstairs, so twice the pain in the butt.
I'm probably being dense - but why have two switches? Also couldn't you connect the mini to the switch as well?
Edit: I've just read your reason for the second switch. I'd be tempted to just make some cable up yourself rather than having a second switch.
What about - http://www.trustedreviews.com/networking/review/2007/03/12/D-Link-Xtreme-N-Gigabit-Router-DIR-655/p1
I don't know much about them or what the quality will be like though.
I'm probably being dense - but why have two switches?
I was bouncing an idea round. I think I will get some crimpers and make my own cable thus negating the need for the other switch. It was there simply due to the layout of the house and knowing how the wiring would have to go.
edit: the switches would have to be upstairs, hence the mac mini would connect straight to the router downstairs
leowyatt
10-07-2007, 11:40
I'm probably being dense - but why have two switches? Also couldn't you connect the mini to the switch as well?
I was about to ask the same time. Initial question is does the Mac Mini have built in wifi? Surely you could use that to save running a cable?
I'm guessing we're streaming media though, and wireless just doesn't handle HD yet. I'll be cabling in my 360 after the move for that reason.
I was bouncing an idea round. I think I will get some crimpers and make my own cable thus negating the need for the other switch. It was there simply due to the layout of the house and knowing how the wiring would have to go.
edit: the switches would have to be upstairs, hence the mac mini would connect straight to the router downstairs
Check the link in my previous post. It can be had for cheaper now.
Thats a point, will 100mb be able to transfer HD? If not then it'll have to go
Router -> gb switch (downstairs) -> Mac
.............................................-> lead upstairs to second switch & media machine
leowyatt
10-07-2007, 11:46
I'm guessing we're streaming media though, and wireless just doesn't handle HD yet. I'll be cabling in my 360 after the move for that reason.
I know 802.11n isn't up to cable speeds but surely that should be close? I didn't realise the mac mini was the output machine. Seems it's possible according to here (http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2006/10/80211n_and_streaming_hd.html)
100mb should be fine for streaming HD content.
100MB should be ok for 720p stuff by my reckoning. Dont have the ability to try it though. 1080p would almost certainly need Gbit, and a decent switch in the middle.
I've streamed a 1080p film over 100mb, although there was a slight pause when using FF/RW.
I know 802.11n isn't up to cable speeds but surely that should be close? I didn't realise the mac mini was the output machine. Seems it's possible according to here (http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2006/10/80211n_and_streaming_hd.html)
You cant guarantee bandwidth over wireless though, too many variables. It could work, but I wouldn't rely on it myself. If you're serious about streaming HD then you really have to go cable.
leowyatt
10-07-2007, 11:51
Fairy snuff :) just thought I'd ask about 802.11n
Aye that and the fact that even WPA encryption can be broken. I remember reading somewhere that it uses similar algorithms to WEP??
From reading around Draytek seem to be the best adsl router connections. Every time I have used adsl connections in the past there has been problems so I'm trying to negate it as much as possible.
I do like my Draytek - but I don't use ADSL (it's a cable router). I've read the review on the router I posted above (with GB ports) and it seems ok.
Aye that and the fact that even WPA encryption can be broken. I remember reading somewhere that it uses similar algorithms to WEP??
Wireless itself is inherently insecure by it's nature if that's a concern, there's a thread around here somewhere where it was discussed and Garp made a couple of good posts.
From reading around Draytek seem to be the best adsl router connections. Every time I have used adsl connections in the past there has been problems so I'm trying to negate it as much as possible.
We use them here as a more cost effective alternative to Cisco's and they've all been excellent. I use one myself at home (all be it cable) and Mark has had 2 on his DSL line.
leowyatt
10-07-2007, 13:06
What an awesome idea harib0 :)
From what I've read they are out of the question for large file transfers and it depends on the wiring in your house.
Robert's right in that there are other considerations with powerline, though not so many as wireless. Screwy wiring can cripple your bandwidth so in that regard you cant guarantee service, but it's typically respectable and consistent. My main problem with powerline is simply number of sockets - I have plenty of use for sockets in my office/front room already without having to dedicate one for communication.
I would be looking at a powerline socket if I hadn't had a seperate ring main installed for the office. Slight overkill but the electrician had his butt in the loft for the bathroom.......
I've also got another ring main sitting there for when I get a/c installed in the wall. Running my pc's and a/c from the main ring in the house would push capacity.
I have an old power network adaptor that I use in my parents house which works well. The main issue with them is with latency with internet gaming, they aren't as quick as wires and packets crash more than you realise. Especially when transferring files. General net browsing / emails they are spot on for
Thanks to handy long lengths of cable I only needed one switch. I have had my adsl enabled with Entanet reseller UKFSN and its very snappy. Its a lot better than I remember but the speeds are still rubbish.
The max I should be able to sync at is 4.5mb, but I have managed to sync at 5mb with a 5 snr ratio. During the evenings upto 10pm its clear its traffic managed, but they drop everyone to 240k max download speed while keeping general browsing snappy. Other times its at 470-480k when the kids aren't using it.
Bottom line is that cable is better by a long long way, but entanet seem to be one of the better resellers. The Draytek modem is worth every penny though, there are a lot of powerful scheduling / blocking tools built in.
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