Gigabit Router question.

[troligt]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to upgrade my home network and while one could argue (which is reasonable) that gigabit home networks aren't really needed, or fully utilized, and a waste of money I still wish to pursue this.

With that said, I'm looking at two different solutions (CAT 6 Cabling):

1. 100/100 Full Duplex Fiber Ethernet (Internet connection from ISP) -> Dedicated Smoothwall Computer with an extra Gigabit NIC -> Gigabit switch (w. jumbo frames support - SMC probably, cheapest one I could find) -> Computers w. Giga NIC's w. Jumbo Frame support.

2. 100/100 Full Duplex Fiber Ethernet (Internet connection from ISP) -> NAT and SPI capable Router with a Gigabit Switch w. Jumbo Frame support built in -> Computers w. Giga NIC's w. Jumbo Frame support.

Ok, so I can easily find spare parts to build a computer capable of being a dedicated smoothwall so that ain't the problem, nor is administering it. The problem is that my apartment really cannot "hide" an additional computer sound-wise that I would like to keep online 24/7, which is why I'm even contemplating going route #2.

So my question is, does anyone know of a router such as the one I described above that is reasonable cost-wise? I really have no desire to buy a super expensive Cisco/HP router for my home network (I'm not THAT crazy). Or does anyone feel like offering me a third, or fourth solution - while still offering the same features/speed as those two mentioned above by me?

Input, thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated, but please try and keep the "You don't need this type of network at home" messages to a minimum if possible =)

 

[SaintTigurius]

Di-4300


for gigavyte with enthernet, dont think there are any othere home ones out there

 

[JackMDS]

Hint: While Basic Giga Hardware is available for reasonable price, the Non-server OSs and the regular Internet parameters are not optimized for Giga.

If you incorporate Basic Internet and Giga in the same network and you want to optimize the Giga you need to use Jumbo Frames and MTU of 9000. However Internet is Optimized around 1450-1500 MTU.

So you have a conflict of Interest.

Here is more about Giga: Peer to Peer Giga Home Networks.

Possible solution.

Buy a regular Router and install a Normal Internet Sharing Network.

Add a Giga NIC (as a second Card) to each computer that you want to be On Giga Network.

Get an inexpensive Jumbo Frame capable Switch (SMC makes one).

Plug all the Giga NICs to the Giga Switch.

Use different IP band and configure the Giga Network as a second Network.

A by product of such an arrangement might be better security. You can Bind File and printer Sharing to the Giga network only and thus your files would have less of a chance to end up on the Internet.

:sun:

P.S. spidey07 remark on this concoction.

hmmm, two layer2 networks.

hmmmm. It?s kludgy, but it would indeed work.

 

[troligt]

Thank you for the replies, much appreciated!

As I wrote on my "two solutions" I was going to use CAT6 cabling, Giga NICs and Switch all with Jumbo Frame support, and you confirmed this, which I thank you for.

What I fail to understand (and want to learn) is why my transfer speed would limit (in essence) itself by incorporating internet on the front end of the network.

ISP -> Smoothwall w. Giga NIC's w. jumbo frame or (in effect Layer3) Giga Switch w. jumbo frame -> Computers with Giga NIC's w. jumbo frame. Would somehow the connection to my ISP (Internet) force my switch/computers on a single network to "downgrade" itself into a 1500 MRU/MTU?

Regular file transfers between my computers "behind" the switch/smoothwall, ie - not through the internet, should still function as full (disregarding OS discrepencies) Giga network if I indeed are using the correct hardware, no?

I need to brush up on my networking skills, I really appreciate the input so far =)

 

[JackMDS]

As an Example let just talk about any single computer on your Network.

The computer has a NIC that is bound to its TCP/IP stack.

Regardless of the front and the back of the Network, if this NIC's MTU is 9000 optimized for Jumbo Frames the computer will have terrible, to None Internet capacity. If the MTU is set o 1500 (for Cable Interent as an example) the Giga traffic on this computer would not be optimized and might affect the rest of the Network as well.

:sun:

 

[troligt]

Originally posted by: SaintTigurius
Di-4300


for gigavyte with enthernet, dont think there are any othere home ones out there

Sadly no Jumbo Frames support on that one, else I'd have loved it =)

 

[troligt]

Hrm. What if I have a managed switch (layer 3 for example) or a smoothwall or similar, would it not be able to (theoretically) "reconfigure" the package between different MRU/MTU's?

NIC (9000) -> Layer 3 Switch / Smoothwall -> "Reconfiguring" -> Internet (1500)
Internet (1500) -> Layer 3 Switch / Smoothwall -> "Reconfiguring" -> NIC (9000)

Ok, that's a really bad topology layout and not correct, but you get my point =)

I'm very interested in the technology of it all so to speak and want to learn, and am learning as we speak!

 

[skyking]

Even using an MTU of 1500 on a gigabit interface, you will see substantial performance increases over a 100 connection. It won't be optimized, but it will serve.
I'd uplink a gigabit switch to any 10/100 router, and forget about the rest. hook your LAN up to that switch, and enjoy increased performance, without the two NIC crossover cable pain of trying to get those jumbo frames. You'll see transfers over 3 times as fast as the 100 network.