Plan your home network layout for Plex, NAS, and cameras effectively.
Plan your home network layout for Plex, NAS, and cameras effectively.
Hi there, for your remodeling project I’d like to confirm the network needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of what I’m considering:
- Plex clients streaming 4K locally with up to four devices at once—minimum two, but more is welcome.
- A NAS serving media from Plex; a 10G connection would be ideal.
- Eight PoE cameras at 720p resolution; I’m not familiar with PoE specs but want to include them.
- Maybe a separate NAS for storing surveillance footage.
For the streaming side, 4K can vary based on codec and settings, so I’d aim for a reliable “safe” speed—probably around 25–30 Mbps per stream. For the NAS, 10G should comfortably handle all these loads. The cameras will need steady power delivery, so PoE setup is a good choice. Let me know if you need more details!
Generally, gigabit provides enough performance for most needs. 2.5G is only starting to feel useful for entire-home setups, yet using Cat6 or Cat6a will give you a solid foundation through 10G.
Opt for Cat6a across the board—it delivers solid performance even over long distances typical in residential areas. You won’t need to worry about compromises later. Avoid cutting corners by selecting cheaper cables; instead, stick with Cat5e where it’s practical. It’s better to be simple and reliable than to deal with unnecessary hassle.
For typical home network needs, a switch offering multiple uplinks and client ports is sufficient. It mainly depends on your budget for networking equipment. High-end switches with PoE support range from about $600 to $2000 for small homes or businesses, while simpler models with fewer 10Gbps ports and more 1Gbps ports can be more affordable. Upgrades are also possible over time.
Ten gigabits between the NAS and the switch, then standard Gigabit from the switch to the devices is more than enough. If your PC supports either 2.5 gig or 10 gig, connect it to the switch as well so data transfers run smoothly. Security cameras don’t require the full capacity of their 100 meg Fast Ethernet NICs.