How does data in a network flow? (Help me configure my network)

Soogs · 2 Dec 2020 at 08:34

Hi all

so currently I have the following set up at home.

I need to achieve 2 things:
-Mac Mini should only transfer internet data over the VPN router and only have local access to the LAN on switch 2
-best routes for data flow (Mac Mini is physically closer to switch1. does it matter where I connect it to? I only need to access the data on NAS2 so am I better off connecting it to switch2?)

Edgerouter x (192.168.1.1)
eth0 <--> Modem 1
eth1 <--> Modem 2
eth2 <--> VPN router <--> Mac Mini <--> Switch2
eth3 <--> WiFi AP
eth4 <--> Switch1 <--> Switch2

VPN router (192.168.4.1)
NAS1 (backup/timemachine)
Mac Mini

Switch1 (192.168.1.x)
PC
Link to Switch2

Switch2 (192.168.1.x)
Link from Switch1
xbox one
ps4 pro
android box
NAS2 (Media / File server)
Mac Mini

Hope this all makes sense.

Cheers in advance

Soogs

the-evaluator · 2 Dec 2020 at 09:16

Any chance you can do a diagram? They're so much easier to make sense of than a written explanation.

What switches do you have, are they managed?

Soogs · 2 Dec 2020 at 10:37

the-evaluator said:
Any chance you can do a diagram? They're so much easier to make sense of than a written explanation.

What switches do you have, are they managed?

switches are netgear 8p gb and a no name gb switch. both are unmanaged (as is there is no config and are just plug and play)

the-evaluator · 2 Dec 2020 at 10:51

How is the Mini physically connected, is it hard wired to the VPN gateway and switch 2 or is one of the links wifi?

One option would be set the Mac Mini to use the VPN gateway as it's default gateway but give the other interface an IP address in the same subnet as NAS2 but with NO default gateway. That way all traffic from the Mac Mini will go via the VPN except for traffic destined for something on the other subnet. So internet access is via the VPN but you can still access NAS2.

Only the Mac Mini will be able to access the backup NAS in that setup so if you wanted the PC to access the backup NAS you'd need to think again.

If all the switches are gigabit then it doesn't matter which switch the Mac Mini is plugged into. If traffic levels were high enough that you were saturating the link between switch 1 and switch 2 then it would be best to plug the Mac Mini into switch 2 but I can't see that being the case.

Soogs · 2 Dec 2020 at 11:01

Everything in the diagram is wired by ethernet. the pc can access the other NAS by wifi if necesary (or I can map the folders i need as drives on the mini and access the shares from there if there's a lot of data to move.)

how do i remove the default gateway from the mini to the switch?

many thanks

the-evaluator · 2 Dec 2020 at 12:09

If the Mac Mini can access the NAS/Plex box via a cable then keep it that way.

To remove the gateway on the Mac Mini you'll need to set it to have a static IP address on the network that it shares with the NAS/Plex box. When you do that you're generally asked for IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS servers. Leave the default gateway and DNS servers blank.

Soogs · 2 Dec 2020 at 16:49

I forgot to mention that the mac mini is running windows 10 but either way your advice has done the trick.

I can access both sides of the network and cant reach the internet via the switch (tested this by unplugging the vpn wire and the pc loses internet connectivity whist still accessing the lan on the switch!

thank you very much!