In need of some serious Network help please

[Infrnl]

I do not even know where to start. Basically I am on Qwest DSL and its ok, no real issues except I wish it was faster. Currently on 20mbit plan.

I need info, options, recs, etc. please

I have 6 computers and 1 laptop atm. most are dedicated cruncher/folders. I have 1 system that stores most of the data, programs, etc (If I can get this to all work Like i want, I will probably move eveything to the storage system); so needs to be accessed all the time from all computers...well on occasion.

I live in a tri-lvl with basement (4 levels) I currently have the modem/router in the basement but do not think its gonna work too well. I got some cheap usb wireless N adapters, but it gets horrible signal 30' away on the next level.

Right now I have 5 computers in my office and it gets way too hot crunching and folding on (9) GTX 275's/ (5) I7 920's so I need to split the systems up throughout the house. I will leave 2 in my office, 2 in the next room over, wifes on next level, and last on for my son on the upper level opposite side of the house, basically above my wifes computer, maybe 50' away.

So I guess I need to know what the best way to set this up is and what I need for hardware. I think i might need a gigabit router as well. Sometimes I can transfer files from main to storage/vise versa on wired network and I still have delays. I do not know if thats modem related 10/100, my current hardware or what. All my machines have I7 920's@ 3.8-4ghz, 6gb ram, 640gb wd blacks (storage 1tb black). The storage system is right next to my main system.

I either need better wireless adapters, move the modem/router, add a router/switch/repeater? combination IDK. Please give me your thoughts and let me know if you need more info.

I currently have win7 64 on all machines and do file sharing setup through win7. I do not know much about networking, so be nice

I will update if I think I need to add anything. thanks

 

[CptCrunch]

Do you have the ability to run cat5e or cat6 wires? What kind of router do you have?

I'd suggest a 8-12 port switch (gigabit is fine, but unless you are moving several large files a day, wont really help with folding) and run a wire to each computer. Wireless is fine for laptops, but it can't replace the stability and speed of wires. If you can't run wires, try and place the router in a central location. Remember, the signal will travel in a sphere around the router, so placing it in a central location will allow it to reach the most locations (below, up, left and right) with the best signal strength. You might also want to invest in a higher dB antenna to boost the signal.

My suggestion is to stick your folding machines into a "tech" closet or a room in the basement away from everything. You can remote into each machine via Remote Desktop or VNC and control them remotely. Then run a wire (single wire is fine, and then install another switch to connect all the machines to) to those machines and leave them as headless machines.

For your storage needs, look at getting a decent raid 5 card and buy several large hard drives. You can create a raid array that will look to windows like one large hard drive. You can then share it to your computers and pull files off when needed.

 

[JackMDS]

All of the above beside RAID.

Peer-to-peer sever Network transfer speed is limited by the network. A very good Giga Network can provide 50-70 MB/sec. Good TB drive proved same or more.

So RAID cost more, make more, noise take more energy, and if you have crash you can end up being toasted.

Instead set a Windows Home Server. http://www.ezlan.net/WHS.html

You can put in few TB drives switch on the redundancy and forget about it.
.

 

[Infrnl]

Ok, I will have to look into the remote desktop thing, I thought I played with that once and it messed something up with folding/crunching.

Also If I do a server; would I be able to crunch/fold on it?
Can you use a standard computer to run as a server, or are there specific requirements?

@CC: I can run cat 5 or 6 to other locations, would just require some work; which I am not afraid of. I was just thinking of a quicker solution, but we all know wired is much better.

I was going to buy that switch that was on sale the other day on newegg, but forgot about it. Supposedly it was a good switch, not sure.

Also I really only have 2 computers and a laptop that would need regular access to the storage drive. the others are basically dedicated DC machines and do not really require anything. Just Windows, basics, DC programs, etc.
I currently have all 640gb WD black, but I should probably look for some dirt cheap tiny drives for the dedicated machines as its basically a waste for the 640gb drives. Maybe some dirt cheap 36gb raptors?

EDIT: my current router is my modem. I have Qwest DSl and it uses the Motorola 3347. It has 4 ports and wireless G.
I guess if I get a switch and hard wire everything except laptop, I wouldn't need wireless N, correct?

 

[tonyyy]

Yes you can use a server to run fold/crunch on it.

You can purchase a switch or you can get a new router and setup the motorola to work in bridge mode and let your new router do all the dhcp/portforwarding etc.

http://www.qwest.com/internethelp/modems/motorola-3347/pdf/18919_Motorola3347_1483TransBridge.pdf

wireless n is just the new wireless standard that provides more bandwidth compared to G and B. It also supports running on 5Ghz.

A quick solution is using wireless but you will run into speed/range problems due to the wireless signal fading as it passes through each level of your house.

If you have a lot of 2.4Ghz interference then you would want to get a dual band or just 5Ghz wireless N router. Keep in mind that it does require that your wireless clients support 802.11N and 5Ghz

Your best option is running cable through out the levels in your house if your doing a lot of large file transfer then a gigabit switch or router would be good.

 

[Infrnl]

Yes you can use a server to run fold/crunch on it.

You can purchase a switch or you can get a new router and setup the motorola to work in bridge mode and let your new router do all the dhcp/portforwarding etc.

http://www.qwest.com/internethelp/modems/motorola-3347/pdf/18919_Motorola3347_1483TransBridge.pdf

wireless n is just the new wireless standard that provides more bandwidth compared to G and B. It also supports running on 5Ghz.

A quick solution is using wireless but you will run into speed/range problems due to the wireless signal fading as it passes through each level of your house.

If you have a lot of 2.4Ghz interference then you would want to get a dual band or just 5Ghz wireless N router. Keep in mind that it does require that your wireless clients support 802.11N and 5Ghz

Your best option is running cable through out the levels in your house if your doing a lot of large file transfer then a gigabit switch or router would be good.

EDIT; I do not think my modem supports gigabit; I think it is only 10/100. I am trying to find the specs. If this is tru, I will need a new router, correct? As I would want to take advantage of gigabit. END EDIT

Ok, so it looks like the best option obviously is wired. So if I run everything wired; I could just use my existing motorola modem/router as-is and just get a good switch, correct/ Would this be the best option?

I knew I should have bought that trendnet switch when it was on sale

What is a good switch to go with?
Trendnet
Dlink
or something else?

 

[Jeff7181]

You don't need a gigabit router, you need a gigabit switch. I like the Trendnet GreenNet gigabit switch that I just bought. Plug the switch into your router and all your devices into the switch. Everything on your LAN will be on the same subnet so traffic between computers won't need to hit the router so you won't be limited by the 100 megabit interface on the router. And Internet traffic will be limited by your 20 megabit Internet connection so the 100 megabit interface on the router is a non-issue.

 

[Infrnl]

You don't need a gigabit router, you need a gigabit switch. I like the Trendnet GreenNet gigabit switch that I just bought. Plug the switch into your router and all your devices into the switch. Everything on your LAN will be on the same subnet so traffic between computers won't need to hit the router so you won't be limited by the 100 megabit interface on the router. And Internet traffic will be limited by your 20 megabit Internet connection so the 100 megabit interface on the router is a non-issue.

Thanks,
Do I need to make any changes within my router as tonyyy mentioned?

So now to either just buy a switch at regular price or wait for next deal...kicking myself for not jumping on that 8 port trendnet deal last week.

I need to see how much cat5 I have, might have to go buy another box and will run cables to all locations. For the moment I will be spreading out my 6 systems to distribute the heat for winter.

I appreciate everyones help! I will probably be back for other help related to a server.

Guess I will sell off my non-needed usb wireless adapters now, ha ha ha

 

[CptCrunch]

If you want to run N and G from one router, your best bet is a dual band router (which will provide the most support for all N related products since most out there are just Draft N and not the ratified N). If you are using just one router, you'll have to make the standard changes on the Wireless tab on the administration page for the router (typically located at 192.168.1.1 from any browser). There you'll setup your SSID (name of the router as seen by wireless clients) and security (recommended at minimum WPA Personal, but WPA2 Personal is even better)

Gigabit switches do not go on sale very often, so you may be waiting around for a while for the next sale. I'm with Jeff, dont spend a bunch of money on a gigabit router, get a gigabit switch and connect the two together.

 

[Infrnl]

If you want to run N and G from one router, your best bet is a dual band router (which will provide the most support for all N related products since most out there are just Draft N and not the ratified N). If you are using just one router, you'll have to make the standard changes on the Wireless tab on the administration page for the router (typically located at 192.168.1.1 from any browser). There you'll setup your SSID (name of the router as seen by wireless clients) and security (recommended at minimum WPA Personal, but WPA2 Personal is even better)

Gigabit switches do not go on sale very often, so you may be waiting around for a while for the next sale. I'm with Jeff, dont spend a bunch of money on a gigabit router, get a gigabit switch and connect the two together.

Thanks for the added input. My plan is to get more cat 5/6e and retrofit the lines throughout the house and add in a switch. If switches do not go on sale very often, I think I can suffer at close to retail $50/40, a few extra bucks won't kill me. For the time being I will run all new lines in the house and move my current router location to something a little more centralized. I can also go wireless from there till I make a final decision on the switch.

Thanks again