Hi. We're considering relocating our render clusters onto a more affordable 10GBit network to ease some performance issues when handling large render jobs for clients. Each client sends about 500GB of textures per frame, which puts strain on the connections. Our aim is to connect ten clients to a single Synology NAS (DS1817 with two 10GBASE-T LAN ports) and we're planning to purchase the necessary gear: Netgear ProSAFE XS500M desktops with 10G switches, Intel X540 T2 NICs at 10Gbps each, and linking each cluster to one NAS via the 10GBASE port. We want to get as near as possible to the theoretical maximum speeds of the Seagate Exos X10 10TB drives (targeting around 220 Mb/s). Before making the purchase, I wanted to double-check my calculations—any concerns or mistakes in my approach? Thanks a lot!
Salutations, J
It seems suitable. You can purchase Aquantia network cards for roughly $80... assuming there are drivers available for your render server's operating system, they should work well: https://www.amazon.com/Aquantia-NIC-5-sp...07C5VLVFF/
However, I’d think about opting for fiber and SFP+ cards instead. Switches with SFP+ ports tend to be more affordable, and the same applies to network cards. I understand your Synology only has copper RJ45 ports at 10Gbps, but you might find a switch with multiple copper RJ45 and several SFP+ ports.
If you’re looking for alternatives, consider these options:
1. A $539 Ubiquiti switch (US-16-XG-US) offering 10G ports and 4 RJ45 ports; 12 SFP+ ports available.
2. A Dell PowerConnect 8024F at $29 each with 24 SFP+ and 4 RJ45 ports. Refurbished versions are cheaper, around $600–$1000 for transceivers.
You can also use LC-LC cables with these devices for budget-friendly setups. For short distances (3–5 meters), DAC cables work well too.
If you need multiple units, buying a few SFP+ modules and matching RJ45 adapters can be cost-effective. For example, a Dell module with 24 SFP+ ports and 4 RJ45 ports costs about $29 each. Refurbished ones are under $30.
Alternatively, the Intel X520 offers good performance at around $29 and includes dual SFP+ and RJ45 ports. You can pair it with DAC cables for a complete solution.
If you have more details about your setup, I can suggest the best fit.
They should be 8 port switches, that’s what the info says. Check the link for details.
The email mentioned XS500M, which refers to a 5-port switch with 4 inputs and 1 output. The product shown is actually the XS508M, but the seller's description can be unclear.
XS508M-100 offers 8 ports, while XS505M-100 provides 5 ports with 4 RJ45 and 1 SFP+. Your setup requires at least 11 ports for proper connectivity. Combining two units gives you 14 ports, which meets the minimum but still falls short of ideal performance. These models are unmanaged switches with a maximum bandwidth of 100gbps. For reference, the ubiquity switch I mentioned supports up to 320gbps.