Is greater than 1 gigabit throughput possible?

Jules123 · 9 Jan 2012 at 18:38

Hi,

I need to save high def image files from one pc to another. I calculate that what is required is a 6MB file at 25 frames per sec, that is 150MB (1.2Gbit) needs to be transferred from one PC to the other per second.

Both my PCs feature 2x Gigabit LAN built in on the motherboard and run Windows 7. The PC I'm saving the images to has an SSD drive.

Is it possible to connect all network ports from both machines (2 Ethernet cables from one PC and 2 cables from the other) to the same gigabit switch to increase maximum possible throughput to 2 Gigabit per sec from one PC to the other on the same LAN network?

Overclockers sells the TP-Link 8-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch (TL-SG1008D) here: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-012-TP

Would this be a good switch to get for my needs to achieve this?

Thanks for any help,
Jules

Jules123 · 9 Jan 2012 at 19:19

Thanks for all the quick replies.

The source PC indeed has an SSD drive where the images are queued up. I could save two files at the same time if that helps. Would then a managed gigabit (more expensive) switch help?

Both machines are close together. Or could I connect one PC to the other via a crossover cable as well as the normal connection to each other via a switch? Would that not overcome the teaming (unmanaged) switch issue? Not sure how I would set that up in Windows though, but if theoretically possible then I'd give it a go.

Jules

Jules123 · 10 Jan 2012 at 01:26

Well PhillyDee, lots and very fast is the answer to the question.

I'm transferring uncompressed video (sequence of frame images) from the source computer at 150MB/sec to another computer where it is mixed with some computer graphics and then displayed on a monitor in real-time. It's a personal project of mine.

Frustrating to find that a 10 Gigabit solution is so expensive. I can conceivably buy 2x10 Gigabit NICs; one in each machine and link them directly. Can a crossover cable work still (can't afford any of those industrial 10Gbit switches)?

Or is there another cheaper solution? Syngress came up with an interesting solution. Anyone had any real-world experience, would it work in my case? I wouldn't want to fork out for the kit and find practical problems like dropped frames.

Jules

Jules123 · 10 Jan 2012 at 16:03

Zarf, Intel Light Peak seems incredible. I want it now! I hope it doesn't stay in development for too much longer.

Thanks HazardO, I do have PCI-E x8/x16 slots.

Which one to go for? I don't need to make a decision right away. May wait a couple more months or so to see if Intel's offering becomes buyable products in PC land.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Jules

Jules123 · 13 Jan 2012 at 02:13

Thanks Syngress and HazardO on present day 10Gb networking info.

Made up my mind now, I think I will wait a little longer. Found more info on Thunderbolt on Ars Technica here.

Zarf mentioned the Thunderbolt daisy-chaining (reminds me of good old scsi days). Does that mean the effective throughput when communicating between one end of the chain to the other is divided by the number of devices connected in between?

Jules