Need assistance with setting up a new network configuration.
Need assistance with setting up a new network configuration.
Hello everyone. I recently upgraded my home Internet to 3Gb/s fiber. The new modem/router comes with a 10Gb/s, two 2.5Gb/s and two 1 Gb/s LAN ports. I require some guidance. I need to relocate the modem/router approximately 20 feet through a basement wall. I won’t be using the 10Gb/s connection at this time, but my NAS supports 2.5 GB/s. This is the only device I currently own that can handle that speed.
I possess an existing 8 Port unmanaged switch (1 Gb/s) that I wish to retain.
My goal is to reduce the cable run to my equipment area in the basement.
Should I install two Cat6 cables through the walls, with one linking to the existing switch and the second connecting to a new 2.5 Gb/s switch?
Or could I connect both 2.5Gb/s LAN ports together?
Or perhaps connect one cable to a 2.5 Gb/s switch and then daisy chain the other to the 1 Gb/s switch?
In total, I have 11 network connections to manage.
As someone new to this, I have numerous options but require expert advice on the most suitable route.
The most sensible guidance I have is to contact the ISP and revert the plan back to 1gbit, thereby preserving your budget.
The ISP seems to be mocking you for spending money on something you can't actually utilize.
What specific scenario makes you believe faster internet would be beneficial?
I’m confident that more than 90% of users could enjoy 100mbps without exceeding it. Tasks such as streaming 4k Netflix require only about 30mbps. You’d be able to stream multiple movies simultaneously, while others browse and play games online—still likely staying under 100mbps. Increased bandwidth doesn’t necessarily improve performance; it often remains unused.
The sole exception would be very large file downloads, which can significantly reduce download times for big files like Microsoft Flight Simulator. This largely depends on how much time you spend downloading large files each month. Ultimately, the decision hinges on your willingness to pay for the savings—how much are you prepared to sacrifice per minute?
Your NAS should probably not be connected directly to the internet. Ideally, it would only connect from devices inside your home. In that case, you could purchase a switch with a 2.5gbit port to link it. This setup would work regardless of whether you have 10mbps or 10gbit internet, since traffic doesn’t actually leave your house.
In theory, you might have two machines transferring at 1gbit each to the NAS. However, this is highly dependent on the type of files being transferred and the NAS’s performance. Sometimes, bottlenecks in file formats or hardware limitations (like CPU or disk speed) can restrict speeds before the network connection even starts.
You need to carefully analyze how traffic flows between devices in your home. For instance, you’d want devices frequently accessing the NAS to be on the same switch. It becomes more critical if one machine also has multiple 2.5g ports. Avoid using a 1gbit cable between switches, as it could prevent devices from transferring at higher speeds.
My impression is that it really doesn’t matter much. If you’re unsure about the necessity of this higher speed, you’re unlikely to be utilizing it effectively.
As suggested, it seems unnecessary to require 3Gbps internet. It's like having an 8-lane highway but only one car—wasteful. And if your PC lacks 2.5Gbe ports, you can't even make the most of a single port on the NAS. You should create a simple diagram and note the device models and specifications, including your PC.
Follow the above ideas to sketch out your network.
Search for "Home network diagrams" online for samples.
Your drawing doesn’t have to be complex or artistic.
It should be straightforward and easy to understand.
Include devices, connection routes (cables), ports, brands, and models.
After setup, you can add names, IP addresses, MACs, etc.
Use your house’s floor plans if available as a base.
This diagram will help with troubleshooting and planning future network expansion.
Alas, I once had a 500 Mb/s connection for $120 each month. I upgraded to a faster 3.0Gb/s plan at the same cost with a two-year price lock. This amount in Canadian dollars comes to roughly $85 monthly. I also get a 35% retiree discount, bringing the 3.0Gb/s fiber bill down to about $55 per month. My ISP only provides up to 1.5/3.0/8.0Gb/s fiber and has stopped offering their 500Mb/s service. I rely on this bandwidth to let clients access video files from two NAS devices. Once the promotion ends, I’m likely to downgrade to their 1.5Gb/s plan, which would save me $6.50 each month. I plan to split the network into two parts—one for a Gigabit connection and another for the 2.5Gb/s switch.
It seems your choice of 1gbit service is mainly due to the locked bundle with HBO, which is only $5 cheaper when upgraded to 300mbps.
The outcome really depends on where your devices are placed inside the house.
You can turn the new router into a switch—though it now runs on a single chip, the LAN ports act like a small switch connected to the router.
You should be able to connect the NAS via the 2.5g port on the router.
If you can also plug some devices directly into the router, you might not need the current switch.
Also, affordable 2.5g switches are now widely available.
Streaming video from a NAS uses relatively little bandwidth; data moves at the rate it’s used.
However, if you’re doing intensive tasks like video rendering with large files being sent back and forth, a fast LAN network becomes necessary.