I would like to setup a 4Gbe Connection ....what do I need please?

Virdi

Virdi

Virdi

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Hi all,

If I would like to setup a PC or Small home built NAS type Server (or maybe even a HP Micro Server) with a 4Gbe LAN Connection ...what would I need to do please?

Do I need a Quad Gigabit Port NIC and Switch that supports Link Aggregation.? ....or is there more to it?

Thanks
 
Virdi said:
Do I need a Quad Gigabit Port NIC and Switch that supports Link Aggregation.? ....or is there more to it?
Click to expand...

Yep that should be all you need - and link aggregation is available on nearly all smart switches, and certainly on all managed switches.

The question really is what are you trying to achieve?

I.e. 4x1Gb will only really benefit when you have multiple connections (e.g. 2 or more PCs connected - unless you are using Windows 8.1/2012 for SMB3)

Is the storage in your NAS fast enough to transfer at more than Gigabit speed? e.g. SSD or HDDs in raid?

Depending on what you are trying to achieve e.g. if the NAS only serves a single PC, you may be better with some 10Gb network cards and directly connecting the two.
 
I have 4Gbit at home with a Smart switch.


Tbh, if I were to do it again, I'm not sure I'd bother.

Only during backups do I get anywhere near 4Gb saturation. Was a good learning experience, but the real world increase isn't worth it for me.

Each PC is still limited to 1GB per file transfer.


I'm hankering for 10GB networks, that would be really handy, but the cost is a massive jump over gigabit right now.
 
Keep an eye on the auction site. I picked up a 24 port SFP+ 10GB switch for under £100. 10GB NICs are quite cheap (although not as cheap as the bargain switch!) and cables can be had at reasonable prices too.
 
bledd. said:
I have 4Gbit at home with a Smart switch.


Tbh, if I were to do it again, I'm not sure I'd bother.

Only during backups do I get anywhere near 4Gb saturation. Was a good learning experience, but the real world increase isn't worth it for me.

Each PC is still limited to 1GB per file transfer.


I'm hankering for 10GB networks, that would be really handy, but the cost is a massive jump over gigabit right now.
Click to expand...

how did you do it please?
 
I just kept hunting for 10Gb switches and eventually got lucky. There is one issue with it. It's NOISY! That and I dread to think what power it draws :eek:
 
nutcase_1uk said:
[smug mode]251707526006[/smug mode] ;)
Click to expand...

Jesus. Those are the ones IBM rebrand aren't they?

The AC-powered G8124E has dual load-sharing
internal power modules, 50 - 60 Hz, 100 - 240 V AC
auto-switching per module.
The nominal power for AC models ranges from 115 W
to 168 W depending upon the speed of the port
(1 Gb/10 Gb), type of transceivers (SR or DAC) and
number of active ports
Click to expand...
 
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From what I've read, IBM bought Blade so yes. Retail price for the current variant is about $15,000 (trade much less) although this one is about 3 or 4 years old and without a maintenance contract so no firmware updates etc. But still a nice price ;)
 
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Cisco's Small Business stuff has recently(ish) gone all-in on 10Gb, and it's quite nice. GUI isn't horrendous, the CLI is IOS-like.

It's all reasonably well priced as well, though nothing like your eBay discovery.
 
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