Need assistance with a 10 gigabit connection?
Need assistance with a 10 gigabit connection?
I'm exploring the simplest and most affordable method to connect your gaming PC to your server via a 10 gigabit link. You mentioned a ~160 ft cable run in the garage, so you're considering running Cat6a from your room to the garage. You want to remove the HDD from your PC and set up a quiet, fast external backup. Your current network uses a Nighthawk X6S router and all wired connections, with the server already connected via Ethernet. You plan to extend a Cat6a link for gaming and add a network switch in your room for other devices. You're curious about whether a direct 10 gigabit connection between the two machines is feasible, and you're weighing cost and complexity.
First, run the 10 gig cable to the server and one to the router for Internet. Once you have more funds, get a 10 gigabit switch with two or more ports. Connect the PC and server to the switch, then link the switch to the router for Internet access. It’s also recommended to have a separate gigabit cable for the server if others need to use it, otherwise access should come through your PC. Hope this clarifies the setup.
It seems like you're questioning whether option 1 would be feasible. Even with both devices having gigabit connections and being directly wired together via 10G PCIe cards, the setup becomes confusing. The server must have a stable internet connection and network access, which is straightforward. The main challenge lies with the gaming PC to server link, requiring cables to be arranged tonight. I’m not ready to finalize the parts just yet.
This issue mainly arises if you already connect to the server via a 1Gbit link. You might have two routes to the server, and Windows doesn't always choose the quicker one automatically. This can be resolved. Not essential.
Edit: I misunderstood this point. There are several reasons why a switch between the modem and router might be useful. Unless you manage multiple public IP addresses and need server hosting, such a switch isn't required. Consider SFP+ NICs or fiber optics instead of 10G RJ-45 for better P2P performance. Switches with SFP+ ports can be costly, though. You likely mean a single cable connecting to a switch that powers all your room devices. A single switch between you and the router should appear as less than 1ms, while multiple switches would be insignificant. Unless you're overwhelming the line with heavy file transfers, ping times should stay under 1ms. Don't stress about it.
Absolutely feasible. Keep in mind that for those under 30 meters you can still utilize 10GbE over CAT5e to cut costs. However, if you require server connectivity, it would become more challenging to configure. You don’t need two switches, but if you manage to allocate $199 from your budget, a Netgear switch with two 10GbE copper ports is an option. You can connect both your server and PC to the 10GbE ports, and use the remaining ports for your router. The difference is negligible.
This would be resolved by ensuring proper cabling and connections. Using RJ45 cables simplifies the setup. Running two cables—one from the router to the switch in your room for internet, and another from the server to the PC via a PCIe card—should work. Your network layout would then appear as described, with the 10GbE cable connecting the server to the PC.
Arrange it without the Netgear switch by using your own internet connection. The server must stay online for security cameras, Plex, and backup. Aim for a quicker link so you can ditch the mech HDD from your PC. Buying a Netgear switch isn’t feasible right now because you’ll still need two 10G PCIe cards.
It seems you're purchasing 10 gigabit NICs for the server and PC. What might remain for the other gig ports?
PC → Router → Server
Server → Router (DHCP enabled on the specific interface)
PC: IP 10.0.0.1, Netmask 255.255.255.252
Server: IP 10.0.0.2, Netmask 255.255.255.252
This configuration allows the server and PC to connect to the internet while maintaining a direct PTP link for communication.
Sure thing. Everything should function normally without any changes. You won't need to disconnect your server or PC. Just connect the NICs, plug in the cable, and input the settings—ready to go.