Complete Networking Noob - Helped Required Plz

[Komedy]

Hi all

1st time posting in this forum. While I have built numerous gaming rogs over the years I have never ventured into home networking and to put it in a nutshell, clueless as where to start.

Here is the current setup.

So I would like to get a server or NAS in for backups from PC2 and to host media files. The intention then would to introduce a media PC in room 3 to feed the TV but I'm cluless as to the approach to take and the spec to go for should it be more economical to build something myself.

Some points to consider.
I cant run another Ether cable to room 2 but need the server or Nas in that room. Can i put a switch in that room?

I need upto 10TB Storage

I run Windows 7 on the current 2 PCs.

In room 3 I wont get a cable to it but would powerline work.

Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[Scotteh]

Some points to consider.
I cant run another Ether cable to room 2 but need the server or Nas in that room. Can i put a switch in that room?

Yes, using the current ethernet put it into a switch (e.g. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP) then 2 cables from it into your computer and server

I need upto 10TB Storage

HP Proliant microserver will probably be the most recommended, this offers 4x HDD bays (so could do up to 16TB)

I run Windows 7 on the current 2 PCs.

In room 3 I wont get a cable to it but would powerline work.

Never personally used powerline, if you plug one from the switch in then in theory it should be fine

Best bet would be proliant server (new one N54L would be about £210, or if you can find a N40L not sure on second hand prices, they used to be about £120 with cashback offers). Could run FreeNAS or WHS or the likes

Introducing a PC in the third room should be fine through powerline and will be able to connect to the server/NAS without issues. What would you be running mainly? I find myself using WD TV to watch anything really (such as from file sharing, netflix, etc)

 

[nails666]

I use powerline networking down from my NAS to my living room and a PS3 there for media streaming duties. Obviously powerline performance can vary massively depending on your wiring (big tip I found was to only plug the powerline adaptors directly into the wall sockets at both ends, using extension leads caused a big drop in connection speed) but I'm only using 200MBps kit and it's fine for high def Netflix streaming and playing dvd rips from my NAS. I've not tried any blu-ray rips yet but I think it should be ok for that as well.

 

[sully202]

I'd recommend a powerline adaptor for the TV in room 3. They are capable of streaming high def video so that should not be an issue. For the NAS/server itself though, I'd try to wire it directly to get the most out of the network.