Good plan for my home network?

413x

413x

413x

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Looking to set up the home network soon and just wondering if there is any benefits of either of the two thread title options?

I'm moving into a new rental this Feb so I don't know the layout yet but atm its possible to connect microserver/htpc/main rig by cables but not the router. This would have to be home plugs or wireless.

The data requiring gigabit is luckily only between the microserver/htpc/main rig

What I have now got in mind is this

Main rig+htpc+microserver connected to a gigabit switch via network cable
Gigabit switch connected to router by home plugs

Is this the best option to provide gigabit speeds between the 3 computers and maximum potential of the home plugs between the router and switch.
Also. Will this allow me to access the server from off site? It's by...
Internet device <> Internet <> router <> home plugs <> switch <> microserver

Was looking at TL-SG1008D
A tp link switch (might only need a 5 port)
 
I do the same but using wifi setup.

In my case I've just plugged a wifi client device into my gigabit switch which has all my pc's/nas/second switch in another location etc connected to it. The wifi client then 'invisibly' connects my wired network to my router. I have all my ip's manually defined on my network to save any issues but that's optional.

Speeds between pc's are gigabit while the connection to the router is '300mbps' but it's obviously limited to 100mbps due to the wifi client being 10/100 but it's fine as I'm only on 8meg adsl lol

My arrangement is
internet <> wifi router with adsl modem <> wifi client <> 8 way gigabit switch <> pc's/nas/another switch

You can connect from external location fine, you just need to forward ports/ip etc like normal. In essence all the wifi client is doing is 'replacing' the wire.

My second switch is a tplink 5 way and it seems fine, my 8 way is a zyxel, both unmanaged cheapy type ones.

You should be ok doing the same with a home plug but I've never used them as I've read stories about them not liking some cable arrangements (not allowing communication)
 
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I'm looking for something similar myself.

Currently running homeplug network but with possible bottleneck/buffering issues. Looking to upgrade to gigabit. Currently looking at TP Link tp pa511 to gigabit switch to hook up main pc/printer/xbox and xbmc/sky box/media server via second switch in different room.

I'm running 10/100 sagem sky router, will this give me gigabit network or only between the 2 switches (which is what i need)?

Also, suffering from dead zone with wifi and looking to get TP Link WPA281 wifi extender homeplug, will this maintain gigabit network or reduce speed?

Or should i just upgrade to new sky hub router (with Mimo)? as the router is currently £40 to upgrade and WPA281 is about £45?

Sorry Al4x for jumping in but you have similar problem to me
 
It's fine. If I can go wireless rather than home plugs I'd prefer that tbh. Looks like tp link are the go to for basic switches.

I'll probably want static ips also

I'll need to research the wifi client.

I don't need anything over 10/100 for Internet to network either.
 
binko - sagem will only do 10/100, no idea if the sky router is any good but for 40quid it's worth a try.

al4x - take a look at the Zyxel WAP3205 v2 it's 30 quid inc postage (can't link obviously but it's on google shopping but company supplied me fine), it's 300mpbs and has 2 10/100 ports on it. That's what I'm now using.

It can also act as a client/repeater to extend the wireless range if you want too although can't say I've tried that (so may work for binko's dead spot....)
 
lsg1r said:
binko - sagem will only do 10/100, no idea if the sky router is any good but for 40quid it's worth a try.

al4x - take a look at the Zyxel WAP3205 v2 it's 30 quid inc postage (can't link obviously but it's on google shopping but company supplied me fine), it's 300mpbs and has 2 10/100 ports on it. That's what I'm now using.

It can also act as a client/repeater to extend the wireless range if you want too although can't say I've tried that (so may work for binko's dead spot....)
Click to expand...

so am i correct in thinking that Zyxel just plugs into the switch and creates a wireless bridge between router and itself?

trying to decide on a 8 or 5 port gigabit switch. all 5 would be filled immediately (HTPC, Microserver, main rig, xbox, wireless access point)
 
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al4x said:
Looking to set up the home network soon and just wondering if there is any benefits of either of the two thread title options?

I'm moving into a new rental this Feb so I don't know the layout yet but atm its possible to connect microserver/htpc/main rig by cables but not the router. This would have to be home plugs or wireless.

The data requiring gigabit is luckily only between the microserver/htpc/main rig

What I have now got in mind is this

Main rig+htpc+microserver connected to a gigabit switch via network cable
Gigabit switch connected to router by home plugs

Is this the best option to provide gigabit speeds between the 3 computers and maximum potential of the home plugs between the router and switch.
Also. Will this allow me to access the server from off site? It's by...
Internet device <> Internet <> router <> home plugs <> switch <> microserver

Was looking at TL-SG1008D
A tp link switch (might only need a 5 port)
Click to expand...

You won't have a gigabit LAN if you involve home plugs.

Patch the switch into the router without home plugs for gigabit speeds, otherwise you'll have a bottle neck.

Bear in mind performance of home plugs are determined by the age, spec and condition of your home wiring.
 
I have decided against home plugs now as i need wireless access at decent speeds. A wireless AP connected to the switch is a better idea i feel as i dont need gigabit speeds from router to switch IF the switch is directly connected to wireless

ive decide ill be going with this kit

i went for a gigabit wireless AP over the zyxel you suggested as may want to stream films over wifi from the server

TP link SG1008D 8 port gigabit switch
a NetGear NWN802Tv2 wireless N access point (found this for £7!)
every wired pc and the server has a gigabit ethernet port
lots of cable.. probably best to make them myself?


what i plan (in my current place)

HTPC/Main rig/server/xbox all connected to the gigabit switch so they can all communicate at gigabit speeds

the wireless N access point also connected to the switch - this i hope will provide a link from the network to the wireless router for access off site. (note the interent here is 2mega bit at most so the only bottleneck will be something beyond my control

i also hope the wireless access point will be able to provide service at full wireless N speeds to my partners laptop (also wireless N) and wireless G to my phone/tablet from the server seeing as the link between it and the switch is gigabit

Does this all sound viable? i havent used a wireless AP before so unsure of if it can do what im asking
 
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al4x said:
so am i correct in thinking that Zyxel just plugs into the switch and creates a wireless bridge between router and itself?
Click to expand...
plug 'zyxel' into switch via ethernet cable, flick switch on side to preferred setting (not all devices have this)- you'll need wireless client or repeater, enter the web control panel on the device and enter the wireless settings and security settings etc (or press the button on top if you have the auto config wps thing on your router - I don't). That should be job done.

trying to decide on a 8 or 5 port gigabit switch. all 5 would be filled immediately (HTPC, Microserver, main rig, xbox, wireless access point)
Click to expand...
grab an 8 way gigabit switch, they're only a few quid more expensive and literally take up an extra inch width ways lol

al4x said:
i went for a gigabit wireless AP over the zyxel you suggested as may want to stream films over wifi from the server

TP link SG1008D 8 port gigabit switch
a NetGear NWN802Tv2 wireless N access point (found this for £7!)
every wired pc and the server has a gigabit ethernet port
lots of cable.. probably best to make them myself?


what i plan (in my current place)

HTPC/Main rig/server/xbox all connected to the gigabit switch so they can all communicate at gigabit speeds

the wireless N access point also connected to the switch - this i hope will provide a link from the network to the wireless router for access off site. (note the interent here is 2mega bit at most so the only bottleneck will be something beyond my control

i also hope the wireless access point will be able to provide service at full wireless N speeds to my partners laptop (also wireless N) and wireless G to my phone/tablet from the server seeing as the link between it and the switch is gigabit

Does this all sound viable? i havent used a wireless AP before so unsure of if it can do what im asking
Click to expand...
netgear - never used them but at 7 quid it's a bargain if it works.

Idea is sound, you'll need to forward ports/ips etc on the router side of things for remote access. Only thing is wireless g may slow down n network to g speeds when it's on. There's also 2 (or 3 now) wireless n speeds ranging from 150mbps upwards so your laptop may not be 300mbps.
 
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Looks like all the devices are N. I'llcheck which N they are .

Yep ill need to open ports etc. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it :-) cheers
 
The cheap netgear wap is working fine with range.
My cable tester came today
Waiting on switch, Cable, crimper and ethernet plugs
 
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