Installation of full-home wired network throughout your residence.
Installation of full-home wired network throughout your residence.
Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing well and staying safe. I'm planning to install a hard wired network for my home. After researching for years, I think it's time to move forward this winter so I can gather everything I need. Since I live in southern Texas, the heat in my attic makes it impractical right now. I want to run cables through my attic and down walls to connect my PC, my sons' devices, my NAS, Nvidia shield, Apple TV, PS4, Xbox One, and the wireless router.
I'm new to networking beyond setting up Wi-Fi routers, and I'm a bit confused about switches. Do I connect from modem → router → switch or the other way around? I've seen both options mentioned.
Question #2: Should I connect directly from modem to router, then to switch, or modem → switch → router?
Question #3: Is a 10 gigabit connection really necessary? Would it improve connections between devices or just within the network? I read about a video that suggests it's affordable but not cheap. Would having more bandwidth give me better performance?
Question #4: What kind of switch should I choose? I'm considering Linksys models, as those are what I usually use, and my current router is a Max-Stream AC5400.
Question #5: Can I get Cat8 cable based on the prices I found? Would it be worth investing in for future-proofing?
Question #6: My modem is an Arris Surfboard SB8200, and I'm getting gigabit speeds from my ISP. When I connect my PC directly to the modem, I get full gigabit, but through the router at my desk, speeds drop to around 300 Mbps or less. Why is that?
modem to router connection needs adjustment. Current method isn't effective. Budget considerations matter—POE options exist. Most suitable for NAS or server environments at home. Not ideal for wide-area networks. For general use, a standard switch works well. It's unlikely you'll require advanced features unless you have specific needs. Cat 6a should suffice for now, supporting up to 10Gbps over 100m. Your router might be limiting speed. What model do you have?
Over the years I've noticed wiring shifting several times. You have to keep swapping it out, and fishing is really tough. Don't fish wire—use flexible conduit instead. It costs more upfront, but when wiring does change again, you can just pull the new one in with a string or tape it on the old one. Much simpler.
Most configurations rely on a modem-router-switch setup. Advanced arrangements with managed switches move the router outside a VLAN, making it function as a switch while still acting as a modem-router-switch. The router must remain at the front to handle NATing for your network behind the ISP's single IP address.
Unmanaged devices are largely interchangeable; you decide port count and PoE needs.
High-performance tasks (over 125 MB/sec) typically require NAS or backup/bulk data solutions. These are similar whether used unmanaged or at home. Gigabit models are affordable.
For speeds above 10 Gbps, option 6a is ideal—cost savings come from avoiding repeated configuration for future 10 Gbps needs.
An underpowered router usually fits this scenario.
My router is a Linksys Max-Stream AC5400. A budget setup should work as long as it meets your needs, even if you delay purchasing other items. I won’t spend $1,000 on a switch unless there’s a real necessity. For instance, I don’t want to invest in one just because it looks good. Should I consider a managed switch? I already have a Synology DS918+ used mainly for Plex, and I’m thinking about consolidating my movies. Currently Nvidia Shield supports streaming well, but Apple TV isn’t working anymore—this is why I’m aiming for a wired network. Since my home isn’t large, Cat6a should suffice. Thank you all for your support!
I didn't assume my router was weak when I purchased it—it's a Linksys Max-Stream AC5400 (EA9500). If it feels underpowered, what should I seek? I'm planning to run it unmanaged for a switch. Now I'm considering Cat6a. I want the quickest possible link between my Apple TV and Nvidia Shield to my Synology DS918+ that I use as a Plex server. Thanks!
I searched thoroughly for QoS configuration in the Linksys "Smart Wifi" settings, but couldn't locate any options. I'm still checking and will update you soon. **EDIT** I discovered that the router's "media prioritization" setting controls QoS, and turning it off increased my speed from 300mbps to 871mbps! Thanks a lot!