Get guidance on setting up your first network switch.
Get guidance on setting up your first network switch.
Check your setup carefully. Your PC has a 10GB Ethernet port, while your NAS uses two 1GB ports with link aggregation. For a home office and gaming setup, you’ll likely need more bandwidth than just one port. The Netgear Nighthawk switches might not be ideal here since they’re designed for multiple devices and higher speeds. Consider a switch with more ports or higher throughput to support your needs.
If you receive an ordinary 8-port switch from Netgear (such as the plain metal models), it should work fine. Most switches from well-known manufacturers offer enough capacity to manage typical traffic. A NAS built in the past ten years will likely attempt to combine connections using active-backup, but keep in mind this won’t provide 1Gb; you’ll need SMB multichannel for that, which adds another layer of complexity.
Looking for the 10GbE standard? It supports features like VLANs. You might find a MikroTik model with dual 10GbE and 24x1GbE ports. Also, consider SMB3 multi-channel options.
I’m unsure about the exact requirements. I have a high-end x570 build with built-in 10GbE, and I’m not sure what components are already installed. I intend to connect smart home devices, NAS, my PC, printers, laptops, and a router/access point. I’m not sure what else I really need, and I don’t think I require anything too bulky.
You need a smart solution for LACP compatibility. What budget are you considering? Many options exist, but most require a couple of 10Gb ports. If all interfaces were single gigabit, you could use the inexpensive unmanaged $15 ports. The right choice depends on your goals. Adding PoE increases functionality but adds cost. Without PoE, this setup should meet your needs but will be full rack-mounted.