Question What network switch should I opt for a workstation with 10GBE Network Card ?

[manishbjain]

We are a small business . We have recently purchased a high end workstation with 10GBE Network Card. The Workstation also works as a server which serves files to the other 3 pcs in the office. We are currently using a 300mbps - 4 Port network router ? But We need a faster connectivity now . What Network Switch should we have that will help us get the best of the money we have spent on the 10GBE Network Card on the Workstation. Can someone suggest our ideal network model ?

 

[Muadib]

Yeah I guess that's the best idea .. to go for 1GB Switch . My pcs already have 1GB Cards so that with 1Gb switch should work for now I guess.

What do you mean by drives setup ?

You need to replace the router first.

 

[manishbjain]

You need to replace the router first.

What sort of router config should I look for ? The router I guess would only be to get the internet connection in if I am not wrong. My Broadband connection is only 100mbps and that's the max my broadband service provider provides . Do I really need to upgrade the router ?

 

[Muadib]

What sort of router config should I look for ? The router I guess would only be to get the internet connection in if I am not wrong. My Broadband connection is only 100mbps and that's the max my broadband service provider provides . Do I really need to upgrade the router ?

Yes, you need to upgrade your router more than anything else at this point. It's the center of your network, and is keeping everything at 100Mbps. Your internet is 100Mbps, and right now so is everything else. I can't really recommend a replacement, because you are in India, and I don't know what brands they have there.You definitely need one that has 1Gbps ports though. That would give you 1Gbps to all your pcs that have 1Gbps ports. That's 10 times faster than what you have now. From there I would get a 10Gbps nic card for the pc that talks the most to the 10Gbps server you have now. Then I would get a 10Gbps switch, and 10Gbps nic cards for your other computers.

 

[manishbjain]

Yes, you need to upgrade your router more than anything else at this point. It's the center of your network, and is keeping everything at 100Mbps. Your internet is 100Mbps, and right now so is everything else. I can't really recommend a replacement, because you are in India, and I don't know what brands they have there.You definitely need one that has 1Gbps ports though. That would give you 1Gbps to all your pcs that have 1Gbps ports. That's 10 times faster than what you have now. From there I would get a 10Gbps nic card for the pc that talks the most to the 10Gbps server you have now. Then I would get a 10Gbps switch, and 10Gbps nic cards for your other computers.

Thanks Mate. This helps. Should it be fine if I go for 1gbps switch now along with 1gbps router as we are out of budget for 10gbps right now . Or I should just skip the switch and that a 1gbps router will handle the network coz both would have the ports with the same speed. Would switch with the ports of the same speed as router (1gbps) added in between help more than having the router alone ?

 

[Muadib]

Thanks Mate. This helps. Should it be fine if I go for 1gbps switch now along with 1gbps router as we are out of budget for 10gbps right now . Or I should just skip the switch and that a 1gbps router will handle the network coz both would have the ports with the same speed. Would switch with the ports of the same speed as router (1gbps) added in between help more than having the router alone ?

Your new router will have at least 4 1Gbps ports on it. Sure you can get a 1Gbps switch if you need the ports.

 

[mxnerd]

Why not just buy the switch I linked earlier?

Amazon.com: NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit/10G Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS110MX) - with 8 x 1G, 2 x 10G/Multi-gig, Desktop, Wall or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection : Everything Else

Buy NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit/10G Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS110MX) - with 8 x 1G, 2 x 10G/Multi-gig, Desktop, Wall or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection: Everything Else - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

If you really can't afford it now or it's not available, just buy any 8 ports gigabit switch (I would prefer the one with metal case). And if your ISP will not have anything over 100Mbps internet anytime soon, no need to worry about the router.

 

[manishbjain]

Your new router will have at least 4 1Gbps ports on it. Sure you can get a 1Gbps switch if you need the ports.

No I am good with 4 ports for now.. Was just wondering if these ports are as good as the ones on the switch. Someone told me the way switches function Is different from the routers . The real dilemma hence is if I should go for only router , only switch or both.

 

[manishbjain]

Why not just buy the switch I linked earlier?

Amazon.com: NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit/10G Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS110MX) - with 8 x 1G, 2 x 10G/Multi-gig, Desktop, Wall or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection: Computers & Accessories

Buy NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit/10G Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS110MX) - with 8 x 1G, 2 x 10G/Multi-gig, Desktop, Wall or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection: Everything Else - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Yes this 10 g switch is great but a lil out of budget for now and even more expensive here in India and all my PCs have only 1gb nic anyway. So a 10GB switch alone won't make the difference or would it ? I would need to upgrade just about all the nic in my pcs or atleast one of those..which will again add to the cost. So a 1GB network should be fine I guess for now.

 

[Muadib]

No I am good with 4 ports for now.. Was just wondering if these ports are as good as the ones on the switch. Someone told me the way switches function Is different from the routers . The real dilemma hence is if I should go for only router , only switch or both.

Managed switches function differently because you can do more with them. Unmanaged switches are just there for the ports. If you get a switch, I think you will be ok with an unmanaged one.

 

[manishbjain]

Managed switches function differently because you can do more with them. Unmanaged switches are just there for the ports. If you get a switch, I think you will be ok with an unmanaged one.

Yeah ok.. So only an unmanaged switch or a router too ?

 

[Muadib]

Why not just buy the switch I linked earlier?

Amazon.com: NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit/10G Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS110MX) - with 8 x 1G, 2 x 10G/Multi-gig, Desktop, Wall or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection : Everything Else

Buy NETGEAR 10-Port Gigabit/10G Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS110MX) - with 8 x 1G, 2 x 10G/Multi-gig, Desktop, Wall or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection: Everything Else - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

If you really can't afford it now or it's not available, just buy any 8 ports gigabit switch (I would prefer the one with metal case). And if your ISP will not have anything over 100Mbps internet anytime soon, no need to worry about the router.

So you disagree with upgrading the router? Doing so would give him better Wifi, and a faster network. He only needs 4 1Gbps ports.

 

[Muadib]

Yeah ok.. So only an unmanaged switch or a router too ?

If I follow you, 4 1Gbps ports are all you need, so I would upgrade the router, and hold off on the switch for now.

 

[mxnerd]

So you disagree with upgrading the router? Doing so would give him better Wifi, and a faster network. He only needs 4 1Gbps ports.

I didn't disagree. I just suspect that he will need another wired port pretty soon. If all he really need is 4 ports, then go with your route.

 

[Muadib]

I didn't disagree. I just suspect that he will need another wired port pretty soon. If all he really need is 4 ports, then go with your route.

I agree that he has no room for growth going my route. However money appears to be an issue.

 

[manishbjain]

Great.. Thanx @mxnerd , @Muadib and all others who have contributed to this forum.. Helps me a great deal in zeroing on the decision.

 

[HappyCracker]

Mikrotik has some very cost-effective (depending on your budget) 10Gb switches if you want something new with a web interface for management. If you want used gear, eBay may have other options. Ubiquiti has some 10Gb/s gear but their switches are, in my opinion, overpriced.

 

[manishbjain]

Mikrotik has some very cost-effective (depending on your budget) 10Gb switches if you want something new with a web interface for management. If you want used gear, eBay may have other options. Ubiquiti has some 10Gb/s gear but their switches are, in my opinion, overpriced.

Sure..Lemme check.

 

[fkoehler]

Would be nice if OP would have given full information in the beginning.

No idea what broadband routers cost in India, and replacing the router and wifi just to get 1Gb ports on the LAN side seems backwards unless it IS actually cheaper that way.

OP, you need to do the following to not spend unnecessary money.
1. Get a price on an unmanaged 1Gb switch with 4-5 ports
2. Get a price on a broadband wifi router with 4-5 ports

If the Gb switch is cheaper than a new broadband router w/Gb ports, then get the switch.
If you can get a BB router w/Gb ports cheaper, then get that.

Until you upgrade LAN devices to 1Gb cards, they'll be stuck at 100Mb.
However, your workstation will be able to use serve all 3 other clients at their 100Mb max easily.

Yes, you need to upgrade your router more than anything else at this point. It's the center of your network, and is keeping everything at 100Mbps. Your internet is 100Mbps, and right now so is everything else.

 

[fkoehler]

So you disagree with upgrading the router? Doing so would give him better Wifi, and a faster network. He only needs 4 1Gbps ports.

For all we know, a broadband router in India is 2-3X as expensive as a cheapo 4 port Gb switch.
The OP hasn't said anything about needing better wifi, so saying that he NEEDS to upgrade the router at the outset before knowing local prices is not doing him any favors.

 

[Muadib]

He has already gotten his server a 10Gbps nic card. Please explain how keeping his current router will get him where he wants to go?

 

[manishbjain]

He has already gotten his server a 10Gbps nic card. Please explain how keeping his current router will get him where he wants to go?

What if I add the 1GB switch which are cheaper and offer more ports ( presuming I need more down the lane) . A good Wifi would be great but would a new router offer me good wifi compared to this until and unless I go for one with 4 antennas or so. ?

 

[Muadib]

What if I add the 1GB switch which are cheaper and offer more ports ( presuming I need more down the lane) . A good Wifi would be great but would a new router offer me good wifi compared to this until and unless I go for one with 4 antennas or so. ?

What speeds are the nic cards in your other computers?

 

[manishbjain]

What speeds are the nic cards in your other computers?

1 GBe

 

[Muadib]

1 GBe

If you got both a router and a 1Gbps switch, you would be upgrading your whole network to 1Gbps. If you just got the switch that would upgrade most of your network to 1Gbps.

 

[manishbjain]

If you got both a router and a 1Gbps switch, you would be upgrading your whole network to 1Gbps. If you just got the switch that would upgrade most of your network to 1Gbps.

Sorry Couldnt get you. The whole network Vs Most Network. Would the router give me 1GB Wireless speed ?