What equipment for home network backbone (1Gbps)?

[lenkiatleong]

So, why don't you go with Cat 7 since that paper says it will be supported for 15 years?

If your problem is really the "installation process" why not create a way that you're able to simplify that? How about instead of looking to have somebody come install every x years, you have an installer come in and put in conduit (i.e. a 1/2 inch or 1 inch diameter PVC pipe) that the cable is run through? Then you can run any cable you want, yourself, quickly, and cheaply. Just buy the cable and get somebody to come in and terminate it if you don't feel comfortable with that.

Doing it that way also allows you to use cheaper equipment/cables/gear now, and upgrade later when the faster stuff is cheaper and more mainstream.

Yes. In fact i started talking to cable seller for quotation using Cat7 and GG45 connectors for patch cables so that it is backward compatible with RJ45.

You are right to pinpoint that the installation process is a concern. As i stay in apartment with cornices, built in wardrobes and cabinet and all the wires are concealed in the wall, its not easy to find installer just for a few points. Even for my case which is less than 60 points for option1, i can hardly find anyone to do it for me because my unit is mostly wired up. Installer perferred to take project that is "bigger" like installing the power, lighting, network cables for a new unit.

But you got a good point though.

 

[lenkiatleong]

Just how many people are living in this home? Sorry, but there's no way you need this many drops in a residence, and it's not even close to "common".

You see, my government says this. What to do? Even a toilet needs a UTP point and we ought to get ready. We always follow the law, you know. :biggrin:
http://www.ida.gov.sg/Infrastructure/20090731154203.aspx

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Strong backbone network for today is mostly for large file transfer as my 100Mbps internet speed is hardly stress. There are not many content providers in S'pore that offer triple plays.

Unless you are moving data constantly/streaming uncompressed HD video, all you need is Cat 6 run to the rooms and terminated at a patch panel that then goes to a gigabit switch. As it's been pointed out, 1 gbps from the demarc to an end device is unlikely with residential gear.

With FTTH coming this year, i hope the 100Mbps speed would be stretch a bit. Current HD content uses compress method to deliver to our home but if FTTH offer 1Gbps and they open shop here, we are in for a treat.:biggrin:

So, they are going to start offering uncompressed HD? Interesting. Have a link for that?

My current Dlink DNS-323 does not support external HDD and its only 100Mbps. Will need to upgrade it to newer model which comes with 1Gbps so that i don't have to wait that long for large file transfer.

If you're buying a new NAS, why not buy one that supports eSATA hd's and/or USB 2.0 (or 3.0 if you wait a year or so)? You're spending the $ on a new NAS, might as well get one that you can use eSATA with then just do it all directly to the NAS.

Yes, you are right. My Marantz AV8003, bluray and HDTV do not have 1Gbps. But i am sure in 1-2 years time, AV receiver will start rolling 1Gbps port to stream HD contents from NAS. I know that they don't matter so much now.

Okay, now you're talking about streaming HD again. Unless you're storing this HD content uncompressed, you can do multiple streams on a 100 mbit network. Based on the NAS you have, you can't have more then 4 TB on it which uncompressed HD videos would eat up very quickly. I don't see HT makers putting in gigabit ports in their mainstream devices for a few years still, and that will only be done because it will reach a price parity with 10/100 gear. It won't be because they are reaching the limits of fast ethernet (100 mbps).

But the device number that needed a UTP point counts today. For me, when i am set to do something for long term, i will do the best that i could afford today (not much though) even though some deem it as silly.
All my PCs has 1Gbps NIC.

If you can't afford much, why are you trying to make some expensive elaborate network that is 1 gbit on the backbone? You have 3 seperate things going on. First is you are trying to create a network that supports IPTV, which here in the states isn't available (I don't know about Singapore or your provider though). If they do in fact use an IP network, then they will wire it most likely just as cable tv providers do currently. Second, you want this to be a "one time thing" or last 15 years. That makes sense, but to do that just use Cat 6 cables to a patch panel and use a gigabit switch to connect it all. Third, you have your actual network, which if you do lots of transfers is only internal to your network. For that you *only* need a gigabit network, and that can be done with Cat 6 and a gigabit switch (although a 48 port gigabit switch will be a few hundred USD).

You really are making this more complicated than it needs to be

Replies in bold

 

[lenkiatleong]

Current HD content uses compress method to deliver to our home but if FTTH offer 1Gbps and they open shop here, we are in for a treat.:biggrin:

So, they are going to start offering uncompressed HD? Interesting. Have a link for that?

No link for that yet. I'm not sure if they will ever offer uncompressed HD or not in 3-10 years time. But i reckon that they would if average speed goes up to 100Mbps in x years. :biggrin: Things get improved very very fast. Thanks to technology.

Thanks for the eSata NAS advise. Will inform my sibling to upgrade their next external HDD that comes with eSata.

If you can't afford much, why are you trying to make some expensive elaborate network that is 1 gbit on the backbone? You have 3 seperate things going on. First is you are trying to create a network that supports IPTV, which here in the states isn't available (I don't know about Singapore or your provider though). If they do in fact use an IP network, then they will wire it most likely just as cable tv providers do currently. Second, you want this to be a "one time thing" or last 15 years. That makes sense, but to do that just use Cat 6 cables to a patch panel and use a gigabit switch to connect it all. Third, you have your actual network, which if you do lots of transfers is only internal to your network. For that you *only* need a gigabit network, and that can be done with Cat 6 and a gigabit switch (although a 48 port gigabit switch will be a few hundred USD).

You really are making this more complicated than it needs to be

Because i can't afford much and the math in post#32 says that option1 costs almost double of option2, that's why i am leaning towards option2.

Because the white paper in post#47 says that it would be "cheaper" in the long run, that's why i am also leaning toward 1Gbps backbone with Cat7 cables. I hope that i am not duped by the white paper though. :biggrin:

But you are right, home devices won't need 1Gbps for a forseable future though. But being kiasu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiasu), i would prefer to have 1Gbps backbone for large file transfer in home LAN. And i am banking on 10GBase-T NIC card price to tumble drastically in 2-3 years time.
http://www.google.com/products?q=Ne...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CBwQrQQwAg

I really don't enjoy waiting for hours transferring large files from NAS to ext HDD and i prefer to copy files from any spot in my apartment.

 

[kevnich2]

No reason to go cat7 - stick with cat6a. It's capable of 10gbE

 

[spidey07]

This entire thread makes my head assplode. Network design cannot be done on a message board. There is no backbone, this whole thing is just an exercise in dumbness.

WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.

OP - you wanna have the best performing network possible? Pull cable into a central switch. If you want switches in the rooms then 10 gig to switches in your rooms.

Pick one. Cost vs. performance. This is WAY more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[lenkiatleong]

No reason to go cat7 - stick with cat6a. It's capable of 10gbE

I think so too. I am still waiting for the quotation from the cable seller. He said right now, all his cable installers are extremely busy trying to finish off work for Chinese New Year. Maybe have to wait another 2 weeks or so and i will know the exact price for option1 and option2.

 

[lenkiatleong]

This entire thread makes my head assplode. Network design cannot be done on a message board. There is no backbone, this whole thing is just an exercise in dumbness.

WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.

OP - you wanna have the best performing network possible? Pull cable into a central switch. If you want switches in the rooms then 10 gig to switches in your rooms.

Pick one. Cost vs. performance. This is WAY more complicated than it needs to be.

Sorry to upset you over this.
I totally agree with you that for best performing network possible, i have to pull all cables into a central switch. But the cost is exorbitantly high.
Moreover, i'm still not sure about the performance being affected much and by how much if i put switches in the rooms. So far, no one comes back with figures. It would be good if someone whom has the luxury of multiple switches at home/work could try to transfer 1GB file across them and compare the time taken when connected to only one switch. This would absolutely put the discussion to an end.
As you can see in all my posts, i am going for lower cost option and that unfortunately is option2 at the moment. I'm still trying hard to get 2 switches here so that i could try to get the figures too. Till then, i still don't see your point of view why i should spend so much for option1.
Hope for your kind understanding that i am going or lower cost and yet able to enjoy 90% and above performance of single switch. 90% is good enough for me. Don't be upset ya. Watch your blood pressure. :biggrin:

 

[lenkiatleong]

First is you are trying to create a network that supports IPTV, which here in the states isn't available (I don't know about Singapore or your provider though)

These are the IPTV in US that i hope would come and open shop in S'pore.
1. Netflix
http://www.netflix.com/NetflixReadyDevices
Its amazing to learn that there are so many possible devices that could access to Netflix directly.

2. Hulu
http://www.hulu.com/support/streaming

Unfortunately, i could not enjoy both of them as they are offering services to US only. I'm now grimacing painfully.

 

[kevnich2]

That's not IPTV - that's just internet streaming video.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

That's not IPTV - that's just internet streaming video.

Yeah, Hulu and Netflix are internet streaming, and don't require much bandwidth.

 

[lenkiatleong]

Sorry. I got mixed up between IPTV and Internet TV. I really hope that Internet TV picks up because i don't want another STB in the room. Already very messy now. Can't wait to see Netflix and Hulu to setup shop in Singapore. Cheers.

 

[lenkiatleong]

This is one of the reason why i need to plan for good home network, i.e., 1Gbps backbone which should serve the purpose for the next 10-15 years.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20000061-264.html?tag=nl.e703

How i wish Google would open shop in S'pore as mirror servers. :biggrin:

 

[JackMDS]

Think about 10 to 15 years ago. Could you do any thing significant computer wise that would have any Value today.

Most of the active components would Not hold 10 to 15 years and would need to be upgraded in few years.

The only relativly long term consideration are the wires in the wall everything else has to be done contrary to what you are planing, it has to be installed so it will be easy to be replaced and upgraded every few years.

 

[lenkiatleong]

Think about 10 to 15 years ago. Could you do any thing significant computer wise that would have any Value today.

Most of the active components would Not hold 10 to 15 years and would need to be upgraded in few years.

The only relativly long term consideration are the wires in the wall everything else has to be done contrary to what you are planing, it has to be installed so it will be easy to be replaced and upgraded every few years.

If i read it correctly, you are for option1.
Question1:
But how are you going to decide how many drops in each room are enough for the next 10-15 years?
Question2:
Which type of cable would you decide for the wires in the wall? Cat5e or Cat6a or Cat7 cable?

These 2 questions are the most difficult ones to make. I need to find a good balance between cost and performance. If i am rich enough, i would go for option1 absolutely.

Post#45 by DisgruntledVirus made me realised that i could even opt for Option3, i.e., best of Option1 + Option2. Please see post#13 again, i have edited it. http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=29311526&postcount=13

With option3, i should install enough drops in the rooms for the next 2 years and then add a switch if needed. Because not all rooms today require so many drops except the living room.
That means, i will not have switches in all rooms except the living room.

I know this option3 may cause some forumers to rant. So, pls be kind and watch your blood pressure ya. :biggrin:. I simply need to find a solution that is kind to my pocket and yet comes with performance. Cheers.

 

[JackMDS]

Currently, every day there are hundreds of home installation done using CAT6.

Why? Because it is the most cost effective install right now.

Two Network drops for every room (+whatever else is needed) is an adequate installation.

If you drive yourself crazy there would Not be any one to enjoy the installation thereafter (Good Psychopharmacology is rather expensive too). :biggrin: - :hmm: - :sneaky: