Was 10 Gbps Just Right?
Was 10 Gbps Just Right?
@The_Tuba_Titan That's not a good investment for your money—running a 10 gig network isn't practical. You'll likely never use it unless you're building a custom server setup. The maximum of 2.5 gigs is the limit; anything more is unnecessary.
I am going through this currently! Had slow internet for soooooo long, then had an offer of 1Gbps sequential...snapped their hands off! Whilst waiting for install (many delays due to ground works) I was tempted to go for their 10Gbps sequential. The theory sounds amazing, but the reality is a headache! I’m struggling to even find a router/firewall without breaking the bank that will even handle that sort of speed. Posted in another thread to see if a DIY pfSense box with the below spec would actually work; System Summary 2 x Intel Xeon E5-2609 V2 - 4-Core 2.50Ghz (10MB Cache, 6.40GTs, 80W) 2 x Dell PowerEdge R620 - Heatsink 8 x 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz (PC3-12800R, 2Rx4) 1 x 200GB - SAS-3 (12Gb/s) SSD - Major Brand 1 x Dell 2.5" (SFF) Hot-Swap Caddy 1 x 1GbE, 10GbE (Quad Port) SFP , RJ45 Ethernet - Dell BCM57800S 1 x 10GbE (Dual Port) SFP CNA Card - Broadcom BCM57810S 1 x UK Plug to C13 (Kettle Lead) Power Cable If it does work - then I will go with this. If it doesn’t then the best I can find is a Draytek 3910, which can kind of handle it. Kind of as in it’ll give 9Gbps NAT but only around 3Gbps VPN. So many headaches, I am wondering if I should switch back to 1Gbps - or maybe 4 1Gbps connections (half the price it would be) I have about a week to decide as they are digging the street currently and will install soon!
You're dealing with a lot of information at once—no worries! To handle a 10Gbps connection from the ONT into one PC, you'll need equipment that supports that speed and can route it effectively. Since you already have gigabit switches, look for a device that can bridge to 10Gbps and integrate with your existing network infrastructure. NVME support is important for performance, so ensure the solution you choose has that capability. Let me know if you want recommendations!
Other providers offer this 10Gbps solution too. Would it cover your basic requirements—just a single device? Regarding performance, there may be limitations in speed and stability compared to full-scale networks. For security, ensure the service includes strong encryption and updates to protect data.
I’ve heard mixed things about running pfSense on a 10Gbps setup. Some users reported success with their configurations, while others faced limitations. One person shared a build using two Xeon E5-2670 processors, 16 cores, and 256GB RAM, achieving around 9.4Gbps without routing or firewalling. Another mentioned getting 7Gbps with a firewall enabled on an 8-core Atom at lower speeds. It seems pfSense processes routing through the CPU, so powerful hardware is usually needed for higher throughput. The type of connection matters too—your ISP might need to supply an SFP+ port and a dedicated 10Gbps copper port.
This setup involves a lot of mixed information, doesn’t it? The setup will use fibre to the home and likely connect directly to an ONT—though the exact provider isn’t clear yet. I’d probably link it to a router using an SFP+ module, which they plan to install alongside my existing equipment once I receive it. That way, I could potentially use a PC with a 10Gbps Ethernet card. Be mindful of possible issues, especially with the router’s hardware—it might limit performance.
Uncertain about the exact details but confirm the correct specifications between the fiber-connected device and your equipment. As long as every link in the series operates at 10Gbps, you should achieve the same speed. The Zyxel model referenced handles 10Gbps via both SFP+ and a dedicated RJ45 port.
Great setup planned. ISP will place a device to direct the fibre into your home, then link it to the Zyxel using the SFP+ port. After that, connect the RJ45 port to your PC, which will also have a 10Gbps RJ45 card. Some people mention devices lacking power for 10Gbps, which is confusing. Why are ISPs supplying equipment that seems excessive for my needs? The £1000+ switches/routers might feel unnecessary. This setup should work in theory—just test it and see! Appreciate your feedback.
It looks like your ISP might be supplying you with the Zyxel router, but if not, you may need to purchase your own SFP. Double-checking with your ISP is a good idea to avoid missing an SFP or encountering issues. The documentation on Xyzels site claims support for 10Gbps, though it seems some users are confused because the router also includes 1Gbps ports and the WiFi doesn't reach full 10Gbps. Good luck and hope everything functions properly!