Home Networking basics

[sierrawaltz]

Hi guys
My house is being renovated, It should take about a year.
I've Decided to plan and acquire networking components for building a good media & file sharing network during this period .

I currently have a Desktop (Based on AMD780G chipset),Printer, A couple of laptops, Few apple devices (Iphones and Ipads)

I need some info about :

1. a Good N+ series Router

2.a good Media Player like Xtreamer/Asus Play etc. Is there one with DVD support,I Have a seperate DVD player.

3.whether i should use the desktop as a file server or get a seperate NAS.

4.what about a SeedBox? is it a better option to have as a download rig or I should make use of my current desktop.

5.When i go for an LCD (40"+ ) should i consider networking features also like DLNA (from samsung) I mean will i really benifit since i plan to use a Media Player anyway.

I will be adding a gaming console and another desktop too to the network.

Wiring? (RJ45) is there some way i can have someone Lay them out as in offices (Like Raceways in your offices)? Will that be expensive? (Since Devices like extreamer consoles or even desktops need ethernet for streaming HD files )

My Budget is 15-20k Overall excluding Game console and Desktop.

 

[thatsashok]

Seagate dockstar or Goflex net can serve you as File server / NAS, Download rig & SeedBox (speeds based on your ISP),and can be configured for DLNA too.

Please go through this thread http://www.techenclave.com/networking/seagate-dockstar-discussion-and-tutorial-thread-173221.html

Also take a look at how a dockstar or Goflex Net can be configured as multifuncion device by installing debian here.

Dockstar | developer.shyd.de.

These devices have GiagaBit ethernet ports and since you want to stream HD content I advice you to get a Gigabit Router

 

[sierrawaltz]

@thatsashok

Thanks for the suggestion will definately look into it as an option ,

But overall i'm looking for a more seemless integration where in a device doesnot need modding/re-programming.

 

[uziel]

If you would frequently want to play media DLNA feature would benifit although you will have to look in format compatibility and throughput o the network

 

[sierrawaltz]

^ as of now I dont have any DLNA devices, In the event I get one (say samsung Blue Ray Players/LCD TV etc which support it ) i just wanna make sure existing settup would be feasable for that.

any suggestions for N+ router specially one with a few USB ports.

And also
How would an 1080p HD video stream from say a
DESKTOP/NAS connected in both cases via ethernet or via N wifi, To a say laptop/media player (I assume they would be G)?

Also at the same time if another device browses the internet on the network?

Will playback Lag?

 

[vivek.krishnan]

AFAIK, the router you need should be a dual band router and add to the fact that you will be needing gigabit ports, i can only think of the ASUS RT N56. Connect n devices on n network and g devices on g network.

If you connect g on n network, i think the network will default to g, which IMFO will not be good enough....

 

[Edrill]

1. I'm currently using the Linksys E3000 which is a simultaneous dual band router. They've already released the E3200 and the E4200, which are both simultaneous dual band as well. All three routers have gigabit ethernet ports and a USB port which can be used for sharing a harddrive or a printer. I'm currently running DD-WRT on this router and it's performance is pretty good.

2. The Xtreamer Pro is a good bet. But it's currently limited to 100MBps ethernet connection.

3. A separate NAS device would be a better bet since you wouldn't need to leave your PC on 24/7. Also, if you're doing something that requires your PC to be rebooted or shut down for some amount of time, anyone wanting to access any files off your shared drive wouldn't be able to do so.

4. Depends on how much of torrenting you do, I suppose!

5. If you're going to be using a media player, then it shouldn't really matter if the TV supports DLNA or not.

As far as the cabling goes, talk to the contractor who's handling your renovation. They should be able to help you or at least guide you to someone who can. If laying CAT6 cabling works out too expensive, I'd suggest sticking to at least CAT5E cabling. HD media streaming will greatly benefit from a wired network.

 

[sierrawaltz]

@Edrill thanks for the inputs really good suggestions

1. I'm currently using the Linksys E3000 which is a simultaneous dual band router. They've already released the E3200 and the E4200, which are both simultaneous dual band as well. All three routers have gigabit ethernet ports and a USB port which can be used for sharing a harddrive or a printer. I'm currently running DD-WRT on this router and it's performance is pretty good.

Ive seen a lot of E300Os on Ebay, Despite that i find the extra USB port on the ASUS RT-N56U literaly gobble up other options. I found the Design space-saving as well asthetic

2. The Xtreamer Pro is a good bet. But it's currently limited to 100MBps ethernet connection.

Yep, The fact that it can support 2 Sata Drives, makes it a lucrative option as an additional NAS.
Ill be storing most of the 1080p content here as this will be connected to the biggest TV.
I wont stream from here.

3. A separate NAS device would be a better bet since you wouldn't need to leave your PC on 24/7. Also, if you're doing something that requires your PC to be rebooted or shut down for some amount of time, anyone wanting to access any files off your shared drive wouldn't be able to do so.

I've already purchased a 2TB WD essential which i will use for this very purpose.It Will act as Torrent storage, where ill simply download stuff first and then route it wherever.
The fact that the ASUS has an extra port i can also connect a printer/future external device.( Ill come to that again).

4. Depends on how much of torrenting you do, I suppose!

A LOT !!!

As far as the cabling goes, talk to the contractor who's handling your renovation. They should be able to help you or at least guide you to someone who can. If laying CAT6 cabling works out too expensive, I'd suggest sticking to at least CAT5E cabling. HD media streaming will greatly benefit from a wired network.

I know we cant stream 1080p, over wifi even through N300 devices, is it wise to go in for cabling just for that?
wifi just reduces all the mess.
basic file transfer will still be fast enough.

also, if i use an N+ Pci adapter on my desktop (which will be in another room) acting as an HTPC for a seperate TV, as well as a NAS (I Won't be storing the Heavy 1080p stuff, at max 720p. 1.5TB setup ).
I Found this on EBAY: TP-link adapter
Is it good enough.

Ill see if i can get some more insight on the contractor about cabling.
any really good brand (as over a period of time cabling can go bad, hense replacing will be a big head ache )

Also connecting my printer wirelessly using a wifi print server a better work around as placement of the printer then can be flexible
I found this on ebay : EDIMAX wifi print server

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Is that a better option too, This gives me a better range over choice of router.

 

[cranky]

1. a Good N+ series Router I use a Asus RT-N13U. The Linksys devices I have used earlier usually have better range and throughput. This one works well enough, and can be repurposed for use as an AP or repeater if you need the move a bad signal a little further.

2.a good Media Player like Xtreamer/Asus Play etc Naim Uniti has a DVD player inbuilt ($$$$$). What's your budget? Doubt you will find one with a DVD player.

3.whether i should use the desktop as a file server or get a seperate NAS. I use a small desktop (Atom-based) as a file server, 24 x 7 downloading and general purpose headless machine. I can use a bunch of different software to control it, my main desktop can see it using Remote Desktop, and it's endlessly flexible. I considered a NAS but accepted the 20W or so additional power consumption as a worthy compromise over a higher initial cost (since I repurposed a lot of my existing hardware and had all the 7TB of storage already) and much better flexibility over a NAS. On the cheap, you don't even need a cabinet

5.When i go for an LCD (40"+ ) should i consider networking features also like DLNA Not if you already have a network streaming receiver of some kind.

I know we cant stream 1080p, over wifi even through N300 devices Not true. I have a very small collection of 1080p files which stream fine over a single hop 300mbps connection. Over a repeated network it's more challenging, and if the signal is less that 150mbps it's impossible.

A 300mbps connection with a good router and WPA2 encryption will provide around 10-12MB/s (note the uppercase) in real-world file transfer rates. Over a repeated network this may drop to less than half. A 54mbps connection will top out around 4-5MB/s, and every repeated transmission cuts the rate in half.

 

[sierrawaltz]

1. a Good N+ series Router I use a Asus RT-N13U. The Linksys devices I have used earlier usually have better range and throughput. This one works well enough, and can be repurposed for use as an AP or repeater if you need the move a bad signal a little further.

Again the N56U Has an extra USB , i can add a 3g dongle as well as a printer/usb hdd simultaneuosly!

2.a good Media Player like Xtreamer/Asus Play etc Naim Uniti has a DVD player inbuilt ($$$$$). What's your budget? Doubt you will find one with a DVD player.

Well i'll look up for more options my budget is around ~ 13k( Xtreamer Pro is like 13k) , i think getting a seperate generic Blu-Ray player would be smarter as well as cheaper .

3.whether i should use the desktop as a file server or get a seperate NAS. I use a small desktop (Atom-based) as a file server, 24 x 7 downloading and general purpose headless machine. I can use a bunch of different software to control it, my main desktop can see it using Remote Desktop, and it's endlessly flexible. I considered a NAS but accepted the 20W or so additional power consumption as a worthy compromise over a higher initial cost (since I repurposed a lot of my existing hardware and had all the 7TB of storage already) and much better flexibility over a NAS. On the cheap, you don't even need a cabinet

Again ive got a 2TB External drive bought for this purpose i already have quite a few external drives (portable 160gb ) no point investing in another small rig i guess, I have the HTPC as a primary storage.(offcourse its limited to expand cause i am using a Cooler master 360 cabbie).

I know we cant stream 1080p, over wifi even through N300 devices Not true. I have a very small collection of 1080p files which stream fine over a single hop 300mbps connection. Over a repeated network it's more challenging, and if the signal is less that 150mbps it's impossible.

A 300mbps connection with a good router and WPA2 encryption will provide around 10-12MB/s (note the uppercase) in real-world file transfer rates. Over a repeated network this may drop to less than half. A 54mbps connection will top out around 4-5MB/s, and every repeated transmission cuts the rate in half.

Can you elaborate I'm a bit naive at Networking,

Any Device connected Directly (wired) to the router and then Being accessed is not a repeated right?
But on the other hand if say i access a HD movie file on my PC via wifi and then accessed say on the player will be repeated?
It would be great if someone can explain this slightly elaboratly.

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

@ cranky Thanks for the suggestions too

 

[cranky]

Repeated is a signal that goes through a repeater. A separate hardware device. If all you have is a router it is a single hop, however devices at a distance receive much lower signal and throughput.

Give you an example.

The router was in one corner of the house and my HTPC in the other corner. Direct bandwidth was 30mbps but not reliable as connection kept dropping. Added a repeater, which now connects to router at 80mbps and HTPc connects to repeater at 120mbps. I get total about 80mbps bandwidth, about 2MB/S file transfer throughput, and video streaming works perfectly. What is not so perfect is 1080p streaming, which momentarily pauses every couple of minutes now and then.

OTOH my main surfing PC is in the same room as router and gets close to 100% signal strength and has no issues at all with 1080p streaming, and a file transfer rate of about 10MB/S. Indicated connection speed is 300mbps.