Hardware recommendations for 10GbE Home/Soho

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uaeproz

New Member
Jun 19, 2017
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Hi all,

This is my first post and I'm a newbe in the fiber-optic world. In fact, I've never installed any fiber network in my life. I have my home network completely on Cat6a but I want to have zero latency and 10GbE speeds in.

Here is my home network description (currently):
Everything is CAT6A (through the walls - pulling those cables was real pain). I have two floors big apartment and maximum cable length will not exceed 30 meters.

Downstairs (first level) - I have:
-WAN connection + a distribution panel that contains the main 1GbE 16 ports network switch
-Wireless Access point in the corridor (connected from the main network switch)
-LAN point in the kitchen (connected from the main network switch)
-PC, TV & AV area (connected from the main network switch though one cable to small 1GbE 4 ports switch then to the PC, TV & AV)

Upstairs (Second level) - I have:

-Bedroom Access point (connected from the main network switch)
-Guest room 1 - one standby keystone point (connected from the main network switch)
-Guest room 2 - I have the router which is a custom PC with Pfsense OS and a cable was pulled from downstairs distribution panel WAN connection to this Router)
- From the router, I have LAN feed to a small 1GbE 4 ports switch that feeds to the main network switch + NAS + printer)

I did a quick research on the 10GbE and I'm intending to work with less complication yet future ready network and this is my list that I came up with:
- Netgear - M4300-8X8F as main switch
- 2 Netgear - XS708T to replace the small switches that I have
- 3 Chelsio T520-CR NICs - 1 for the PC, 1 for NAS, 1 for the pfsense router
- 3 AXM761 - SFP+ Transceiver 10GBASE-SR - 1 for the PC, 1 for NAS, 1 for the pfsense router
- 1 Chelsio T520-BT NIC for the pfsense router from the WAN connection

And planning to use OM1 multimode fiber cables.

I need your help with few things:
- what is your thoughts on this setup and please remember that I have zero experience with fiber so I wish to go with less complex setup, easy to configure.
- I don't know which termination should I go with if I get this fiber cable and is this fiber cable the best for my setup?
- did I miss something?

I would appreciate your constructive feedback - many thanks in advance.

Regards,

Abdulla
 

i386

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2016
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What os do you use on your pc and nas?
If you use Windows or Linux you could save some cash by using Mellanox Connect-X2 cards (< $20 on ebay) instead of the Chelsio cards.

I would get om4 fibers, they support longer distances (not that importatnt for home use) and higher bandwidth (40-100gbe)
 

uaeproz

New Member
Jun 19, 2017
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What os do you use on your pc and nas?
If you use Windows or Linux you could save some cash by using Mellanox Connect-X2 cards (< $20 on ebay) instead of the Chelsio cards.

I would get om4 fibers, they support longer distances (not that importatnt for home use) and higher bandwidth (40-100gbe)
Win10 and Unraid OS for the NAS (linux based). The Chelsio cards were recommended by pfsense forums but I don't know the reason.

What about the rest of the network hardware?
 

uaeproz

New Member
Jun 19, 2017
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Driver support. Freebsd <10.1 based os had no drivers for connect-x cards.

I have no experience with netgear switches, can't help you with that.
Alright but I have a question about your recommended OM4 fiber cable, will it work with my current desired hardware or should I change the transceiver?
 

uaeproz

New Member
Jun 19, 2017
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Few more queries:
- I don't know which termination should I go with if I get this fiber cable? LC, FC, PC, ST, etc. - I have no idea whats the difference between those types and which should be ordered and how hard to pull a cable with the termination being on.
- Also I don't know the difference between single mode or multi mode. which one is better?
- Should I terminate it myself? what terminating tool is the best? what connectors should I get?
 

Evan

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2016
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Use LC
SC still has some usage but use LC. FC etc are Long dead.

It's not about single mode or multi mode being better , it's depends on distance and your equipment. For inside a house you would want multimode.

No chance to terminate Fiber yourself, use pre made cables.
 
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gzorn

Member
Jan 10, 2017
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If you already pulled cat6a through your walls, why not just use 10gbase-t instead of all that extra work to pull fiber in your wall? Is the extra latency in base-T a problem? Downside - the cards are more expensive & high power usage.

FWIW, I'm using base-T to go between rooms and DAC's or fiber for computers in same room as my switch.
 

uaeproz

New Member
Jun 19, 2017
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Those cables were pulled several years ago. I just want to fiber optic scene and have it future ready. Now, I will run 10G but in the near future I may go up 40G.
 

Evan

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2016
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Why not just play with it in one room before you start ripping into pulling it through walls, just so you know how it all fits together.

Personally if I already had cat6 in the walls I would just use it. If I was doing something new sure I would pull both just because it provides options.
 

T_Minus

Build. Break. Fix. Repeat
Feb 15, 2015
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If I was going 'new' I would pull the appropriate fiber for 40GBit+ but I'd use that Cat6/5e if laid for now :) save headache.
 

uaeproz

New Member
Jun 19, 2017
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Alright. Which switch do you recommend me to use in this case as main switch. Also I need 2 small 4 ports switches as well.
 

Evan

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2016
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Priority of the switches (e.g. Silent and fanless, cheap, new or used, L2 or L3) and number of 10g ports on each ?