Physical network structure question

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MikeAqua

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#270395 7-May-2020 13:45

I have a bit of a dilemma with planning physical layout of my network.

The ONT resides in our office, with the router (HG659b) and a couple of pieces of office equipment connected directly to the router by Ethernet cables. We have equipment in other parts of the house that I need/want to connect by Ethernet cable. This includes (or will) two or three UniFi APs, a security system, three RasPi based devices, a NAS and some AV equipment.

I'll need to run most of the cables to a HUB and that is where the NAS and two of the RasPi devices will live. The office has two Ethernet cable outlets (currently connecting a security system and a TV to the router). Running additional cables into the office isn't an option, so I can't have a hub in there. My plan is to install a cabinet in the garage.

The wiring is the bit that has me stumped.

I believe that I have two choices: -

Option (1)

The router stays in the Office with the ONT;
Office equipment connects direct to the router via patch cables;
Two Cat-6 cables running to a hub elsewhere in the house (probably cabinet in garage);
All other devices cabled to

Option (2)

The router moves to the hub.

An Ethernet cable from ONT in office to router in HUB
A second Ethernet cable from the office equipment (via a switch) to the HUB.

Mike

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#2478595 7-May-2020 13:53

Replace the word Hub with switch and you're good to go.

Maybe just grab 2 $40 8 gigabit switchs and you'll be sorted. unless you need PoE

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Jase2985

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#2478597 7-May-2020 13:54

if you have the router in the office and the hub elsewhere you would only need to connect 1 cable to the hub, the second would just not be used as the devices wouldnt know what to do with it as they likely dont have link aggregation.

either way works, option 1 its probably better IMO as you would require less equipment as you could run a bigger switch in the hub to distribute data. option 2 would need one switch in the office, the router in the hub and once all 4 network ports are used in the hub another switch.

Jase2985

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#2478600 7-May-2020 13:55

mentalinc:

Replace the word Hub with switch and you're good to go.

Maybe just grab 2 $40 8 gigabit switchs and you'll be sorted. unless you need PoE

they are using the word hub for home hub, star point etc.

not the pre switch hub networking device

MikeAqua

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#2478602 7-May-2020 13:56

mentalinc:

Replace the word Hub with switch and you're good to go.

Maybe just grab 2 $40 8 gigabit switchs and you'll be sorted. unless you need PoE

Yes I will need PoE as well. And the Hub will contain a few devices as well as a switch.

Mike

MikeAqua

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#2478606 7-May-2020 14:01

Jase2985:

if you have the router in the office and the hub elsewhere you would only need to connect 1 cable to the hub, the second would just not be used as the devices wouldnt know what to do with it as they likely dont have link aggregation.

either way works, option 1 its probably better IMO as you would require less equipment as you could run a bigger switch in the hub to distribute data. option 2 would need one switch in the office, the router in the hub and once all 4 network ports are used in the hub another switch.

Thanks for your response. Is there any difference between the two options for within network traffic. For example for a stream to go from the NAS to Smart TV, is there a difference in performance between the two options.

Can the NAS connect to the TV via a switch or must it also go via the router?

Mike

Jase2985

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#2478613 7-May-2020 14:13

only stuff that has to go via the router is internet traffic and what ever devices are plugged into it. if the tv and nas a connected to the switch then the data will only go via the switch when they talk to each other.

the router in the hub along with a POE switch, is probably your best option and have a small 4-5 port switch in the office for those devices

cyril7

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#2478617 7-May-2020 14:14

I recommend you place the nas, switch in the garage, that way all traffic just transits the switch except when heading to the Internet. Obviously the exception is the office devices but it's a minor issue. Remember the router is a l2 ethernet switch device for local traffic only traffic to the Internet is routed so impacted by software processes.

Cyril

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MikeAqua

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#2478619 7-May-2020 14:18

cyril7: I recommend you place the nas, switch in the garage, that way all traffic just transits the switch except when heading to the Internet. Obviously the exception is the office devices but it's a minor issue. Remember the router is a l2 ethernet switch device for local traffic only traffic to the Internet is routed so impacted by software processes.

Cyril

Thanks, I think that's what I'll do.

Mike

Jase2985

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#2478635 7-May-2020 14:30

something like this:

shk292

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#2478638 7-May-2020 14:33

Jase2985:

something like this:

Surely router in the office with just one cable run to garage is easier?

Jase2985

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#2478639 7-May-2020 14:37

shk292:

Jase2985:

something like this:

Surely router in the office with just one cable run to garage is easier?

and that's the other option i mentioned earlier but there are already 2 network cables there so why not have it all in one place

richms

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#2478641 7-May-2020 14:38

I generally try to avoid putting lan traffic across the switch in routers. On some they do silly things to do with it to allow them to show whats plugged into what port and count the traffic and stuff, and you lose link whenever the router reboots.

Richard rich.ms

cyril7

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#2478665 7-May-2020 15:15

Hi just read that there are two cables between office and garage, then most definitely put the router in the garage as well and put all traffic on the one switch. And put a small switch in the office, although that looses WiFi in the office without another wap, was that what you are thinking?

Cyril

kobiak

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#2478718 7-May-2020 15:29

Sorry, I don't want to sound rude or hijack the thread, but I also have a question about physical network.

Friends live in huge 2 level house.

Garage has ONT on outside wall in the "cabinet" practically hole in the wall with LAN cables for entire house. They installed HG659 at the same location as ONT and as you would imagine WIFI is not best on level 1, but practically not existing on level 2.

So I took my old spear HG659 and placed on level 2 sort of in the middle of the house. It was fun to find right cable in the garage which connects the ethernet socket, done it (bridge mode all works). Now they can use WIFI on level 2 for the past 2 months.

Having 2 sets of WIFI networks is not ideal, as you can't easily switch between these. I was thinking to suggest to use single HG659 in the middle of the house on level 1. But would that work:

ONT -> SWITCH (connect as many LAN cables as possible) -> ROUTER WAN. Will router pick up ONT? Or nah?

helping others at evgenyk.nz

richms

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#2478737 7-May-2020 15:32

kobiak:

Sorry, I don't want to sound rude or hijack the thread, but I also have a question about physical network.

Friends live in huge 2 level house.

Garage has ONT on outside wall in the "cabinet" practically hole in the wall with LAN cables for entire house. They installed HG659 at the same location as ONT and as you would imagine WIFI is not best on level 1, but practically not existing on level 2.

So I took my old spear HG659 and placed on level 2 sort of in the middle of the house. It was fun to find right cable in the garage which connects the ethernet socket, done it (bridge mode all works). Now they can use WIFI on level 2 for the past 2 months.

Having 2 sets of WIFI networks is not ideal, as you can't easily switch between these. I was thinking to suggest to use single HG659 in the middle of the house on level 1. But would that work:

ONT -> SWITCH (connect as many LAN cables as possible) -> ROUTER WAN. Will router pick up ONT? Or nah?

Suggest real wifi gear fit for purpose rather than using consumer routers that are made to be the only device on the network. Spark have the new router and extenders that have great praise that you can find other threads on here on, or there are plenty to do with unifi or other propper wifi accesspoints. Using the free routers like that just leads to disappointment as you are finding.

Your proposal of a switch upstream of the router will not work correctly.

Richard rich.ms

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