New Storage Solution And Network Setup

[MstaR35]

Hi guys,

 

So with my pc ordered, the xbox one x pre-ordered and a ps4 pro arriving tomorrow, I'm looking to create a new storage and networking solution for these devices. Now, to set the scene I'm turning my attic/loft into a gaming mancave. Currently I have a long a** Ethernet cable running from ground floor up to the third floor where my room is. That connects to my pc, Now I do a lot of downloading, large game libraries, software etc all essential stuff that I use quiet often; as a result I have tons of HDD'S with archived data that, for me to effectively use I have to hotswapp HDD'S. Right now I want a way to connect all my devices upto one central Ethernet source and get full bandwidth even If all devices are on, also I will be setting up a wifi ranged extender off of this, and will have a DisplayPort/HDMI Switch to convert all my signals into one monitor. My proposed solution at the moment is as follows:

Connect original Ethernet cable to Network switch (https://www.cclonline.com/product/144169/J9774A/Switches-Hubs/HP-2530-8G-PoE-8-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-PoE-L2-Network-Switch/NET1802/) or (https://www.cclonline.com/product/156012/DS51002GB/Switches-Hubs/StarTech-com-5-Port-Unmanaged-Energy-Efficient-Gigabit-Ethernet-Switch-Desktop-/-Wall-Mount-Network-Switch/NET1957/) and then connect the NAS storage to it, I am looking at https://www.cclonline.com/product/109096/RN31600-100EUS/Network-Storage-Drives/Netgear-ReadyNAS-316-6-Bay-NAS-Storage/BAK3491/ and for a wifi range extender I am looking at https://www.cclonline.com/product/157901/TL-WA860RE/Wireless-Access-Points/TP-LINK-TL-WA860RE-300Mbps-WiFi-Range-Extender-with-AC-Passthrough/NET1974/ Of course if this can be improved in any way or price cut down significantly for better performing but cheaper parts please advise. I am very new to this part of tech building so any and all help would be appreciated,

[dalekphalm]

The two switches you've linked are the equivalent of comparing a Bugatti Veyron against a 1992 Toyota Tercel.

 

Anyway, unless you have specific need for a PoE switch (or a managed switch at all), I'd ditch that HP.

 

As far as an unmanaged switch? I personally recommend the TP-Link Gigabit switches - very solid devices and don't cost a lot. Other major brands will also be fine for a switch. Startech is... okay. It'll probably work, but I personally wouldn't buy one.

 

As for WAP, that TP-Link WAP is fine. But it's not a particularly high end solution. It lacks Wireless AC (The "AC Passthrough" means it has an outlet on the front). So if you just want dirt cheap WIFI coverage and don't care about super fast speeds or the newest specs, that thing would be fine.

 

Your choice of NAS is fine. Personally I prefer Synology for a pre-built NAS, but they tend to be a bit more expensive. That Netgear will likely be alright. Just make sure to buy NAS Grade HDD's, such as WD Red or Seagate Ironwolf.

[MstaR35]

7 hours ago, dalekphalm said:

The two switches you've linked are the equivalent of comparing a Bugatti Veyron against a 1992 Toyota Tercel.

 

Anyway, unless you have specific need for a PoE switch (or a managed switch at all), I'd ditch that HP.

 

As far as an unmanaged switch? I personally recommend the TP-Link Gigabit switches - very solid devices and don't cost a lot. Other major brands will also be fine for a switch. Startech is... okay. It'll probably work, but I personally wouldn't buy one.

 

As for WAP, that TP-Link WAP is fine. But it's not a particularly high end solution. It lacks Wireless AC (The "AC Passthrough" means it has an outlet on the front). So if you just want dirt cheap WIFI coverage and don't care about super fast speeds or the newest specs, that thing would be fine.

 

Your choice of NAS is fine. Personally I prefer Synology for a pre-built NAS, but they tend to be a bit more expensive. That Netgear will likely be alright. Just make sure to buy NAS Grade HDD's, such as WD Red or Seagate Ironwolf.

I have no idea what the difference between a managed and unmanaged switch is. I'll definitely take a look at the gigabit ones, thanks. For the WAP the fastest speeds possible would be appreciated so what would you recommend? nad what kind of speeds do you think i'd get transferring to and from the nas? as atm I have around 3tb of storage I want to discard onto it. Thanks for the quick response

[MstaR35]

On the TP Link switches would I get full gigabit connection on all the devices connected to it? It wouldn't throttle my connection at all would it?

[dalekphalm]

On 2017-09-01 at 7:32 PM, MstaR35 said:

I have no idea what the difference between a managed and unmanaged switch is. I'll definitely take a look at the gigabit ones, thanks. For the WAP the fastest speeds possible would be appreciated so what would you recommend? nad what kind of speeds do you think i'd get transferring to and from the nas? as atm I have around 3tb of storage I want to discard onto it. Thanks for the quick response

A managed switch is basically an advanced switch that allows you to apply custom configurations based on a variety of criteria. Generally speaking if you don't know what a managed switch is, you probably don't need one. If you're curious, I'd google "what is a managed switch" and take a look at some articles. It's interesting stuff if networking interests you. 

 

What is your budget for a WAP? A really good choice would be a Ubiquiti Unifi AP Pro, but they can run a few hundred dollars. 

 

For that NAS, it will probably be fast enough to saturate the Gigabit link. 

On 2017-09-01 at 7:33 PM, MstaR35 said:

On the TP Link switches would I get full gigabit connection on all the devices connected to it? It wouldn't throttle my connection at all would it?

For the Gigabit switch, each computer will get a Gigabit link, yes. There are hypothetically some scenarios in which that might be a bottleneck, but in your case, you should be totally fine. 

[Jarsky]

I'd recommend this Network switch: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-GS108PEv3-Power-over-Ethernet-Lifetime-Protection/dp/B00M1C03U2

PoE plus its a managed Gigabit switch, and these Netgear units are absolutely rock solid - can highly recommend them. The price is really good too. 

 

As for wifi, you could get a Unifi AP to plug into the switch upstairs by PoE. Just set the same SSID with the same security/password and you should be good for handover. 

You can get an AC-Lite, or if you have the budget, you could go for an AC-Pro

 

 

 

[dalekphalm]

On 04/09/2017 at 1:04 AM, Jarsky said:

As for wifi, you could get a Unifi AP to plug into the switch upstairs by PoE. Just set the same SSID with the same security/password and you should be good for handover. 

You can get an AC-Lite, or if you have the budget, you could go for an AC-Pro

 

 

 

I must caution tech beginners about this - it's not as easy or seamless as you imply. Most consumer devices (Smartphones, laptops, etc) will hold onto the current existing SSID with their last dying breath, and will not switch to the stronger SSID until they've basically totally lost signal from the original SSID.

 

This is regardless of whether they have the same broadcast SSID or not, because each SSID has a unique identifier.

 

Proper handoff is handled (generally) by a WIFI controller that will actually tell an AP to drop/switch a client over to another AP as needed. These features, while kickass, may be out of scope for the OP, depending on budget.

[MstaR35]

9 hours ago, dalekphalm said:

I must caution tech beginners about this - it's not as easy or seamless as you imply. Most consumer devices (Smartphones, laptops, etc) will hold onto the current existing SSID with their last dying breath, and will not switch to the stronger SSID until they've basically totally lost signal from the original SSID.

 

This is regardless of whether they have the same broadcast SSID or not, because each SSID has a unique identifier.

 

Proper handoff is handled (generally) by a WIFI controller that will actually tell an AP to drop/switch a client over to another AP as needed. These features, while kickass, may be out of scope for the OP, depending on budget.

 

On ‎04‎/‎09‎/‎2017 at 6:04 AM, Jarsky said:

I'd recommend this Network switch: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-GS108PEv3-Power-over-Ethernet-Lifetime-Protection/dp/B00M1C03U2

PoE plus its a managed Gigabit switch, and these Netgear units are absolutely rock solid - can highly recommend them. The price is really good too. 

 

As for wifi, you could get a Unifi AP to plug into the switch upstairs by PoE. Just set the same SSID with the same security/password and you should be good for handover. 

You can get an AC-Lite, or if you have the budget, you could go for an AC-Pro

 

 

 

Thanks guys, that netgear looks like something I'd like I do hope it is quiet Though, What kind of bottlenecks would I be expecting. for example if I was downloading on my pc,ps4 pro and xbox one x as well as transferring to or from the nas would any connection be bottle necked? As for the AP I don't really want to spend over like. 100 quid really.  but around 50 would be better. I want it for just like 2 medium sized rooms. (Approximately one and a half Linus office rooms)

[Jarsky]

there would be no bottlenecks, you can run every port on the switch at 1Gbps throughput. 

[MstaR35]

23 hours ago, Jarsky said:

there would be no bottlenecks, you can run every port on the switch at 1Gbps throughput. 

Okay. brilliant. And what WAP should I get then?