Help me optimise my LAN setup please

[Firegod]

Hi all

I've knocked together a quick diagram of what I wish to achieve. Just wondering if someone could suggest if it all looks good please with regards to optimising throughput on my home LAN.

My only gripe that I can see, is that perhaps having gig AV adapters would be beneficial. Looking at the links between the Switches and the AV adapters, it will have to knock the speed to 100 Mbps (even though the adapters are 200 Mbps models). That would leave just the 100 Mbps connection on the Router for Internet connectivity.

I was looking at getting these gig switches from ocuk:-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP

Obviously the speeds listed are the theoretical max speeds for the devices.

Thanks!

 

[Firegod]

A few things:

1) Why is there a loop in your network? The homeplugs should link back to the router, but not have a link between the two surely?

2) Shove the NAS on one of the other switches, at least that way you'll get Gbps throughput from one of the PCs and one of the PS3s, whilst the other two won't see any increase nor decrease. You can then ditch the switch that is near the router, as it serves no purpose at all.

In all honesty, I'd ditch the homeplugs and run Cat5e/Cat6 through the walls (assuming its not a rented property), at least between the two switches with PCs and PS3s on them, and drop back to just a single homeplug link to the router.

Hi, thanks for the reply! So would you go for something like this? (Ignoring the removal of the AV HomePlugs for now)

Cheers.

 

[Firegod]

Seems better to me, that way the PC and PS3 in one room at least get to enjoy 1Gbps connectivity to the NAS, rather than every device in the building only accessing it at 100Mbps.

Super dooper!

Thanks for the help. Quick question, looking around I'm struggling where I'd fit the NAS unit with where the PC's live. If I absolutely had to leave it down with the Router and chuck in a £15 gig switch, would I be best off replacing the HomePlug AV kit with gig models? As you say, otherwise that means everyone will be connecting to it at 100 Mbps.

Hopefully not and I'll find some space... but just if it had to stay where it is at the moment.

Thanks.

 

[Firegod]

That would be fine, but obviously Gigabit homeplugs are neither cheap, nor particularly hot at attaining their maximum throughput.

If you don't bother with the uprated homeplugs, you might as well just shove the NAS directly on the router (assuming free ports exist), as it'll be 100Mbps bottleneck through the homeplugs regardless!

Yeah that's my thinking exactly. Excellent, well I'll have a think about which way to go and take the plunge!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Firegod]

...You are basing your whole network infrastructure on a technology which is about as stable as the Fukushima nuclear reactors..

Lol. That made me chuckle.

Well, the only hassle is the rest of the family are not really bothered about this sort of thing, it's just me. Still trying to convince my brother the benefits of the NAS!

So to try and get some Cat5e cable routed in the walls is going to most likely be a big no no.

I know the whole setup is optimistic with regards to speed, especially with HomePlugs, but that tech is still surely being developed and optimised? So I can always upgrade the plugs again when new kit is released.

@Zid_, if I were to remove the switches what other way could I gain gigabit connections? Upgrade the Router to a 10/100/1000 model and then use just gig homeplugs? For the sake of less than £50 for x3 gig switches, it's a lot cheaper than replacing my Router.

Thanks all! Still a lot of food for thought.

 

[Firegod]

Thanks for all the replies and input. Much appreciated. Will have a proper read through and see what I'm going to do. I think hard wiring is definitely going to be out of the question though.

 

[Firegod]

Just a small update to say I emailed TP-Link to ask if they were going to bring out any Gigabit Homplugs, to my surprise I was emailed back within an hour! Good customer service or what!

If I were to buy their 5-port Gigabit switches, I'd like to get Homeplugs by them... get it all to match.

Anywho, they say that Q3 should be the release and hopefully they will see a maximum of up to 800Mbps transfer. They echo what has been said here, that current marketed Gigabit plugs are actually only transferring in theory, at 200Mbps, etc.

All sounds promising, so I will hold out until Q3 and re-asses the situation.

 

[Firegod]

I'd like it to go on record that if they bring out an 800mbps homeplug by Q3 then I will drink a whole bottle of malt vinegar ...

Aint hapnin nuff said.

No harm in waiting though, they said in their email that the homeplug tech is constantly being researched further. Good news for all of us, as customers.