SOHO Network Suggestions

[kronik]

So, here's a list of consumers:

ZFS Server - Wired, preferably with 2 interfaces teamed
HTPC - Wired
Gaming PC - Wired
MacBook Pro - Wireless
Dell Latitude - Wireless
PS3 - Wired
Xbox 360 - Wired
Wii - Wireless
Some sort of Sling device, potentially.

Current setup:

ONT -> FiOS Actiontec MI424WR -> Linksys WRT150N (DD-WRT) in Bridged Mode

Planned setup:

ONT -> FiOS Actiontec MI424WR -> some sort of capable firewall/router with LACP/VPN? -> Netgear GS108T where ZFS Server will be etc -> a wireless AP for speedy N access, thinking of a RangeMax..

Suggestions?

I would like to maintain VOD access though upon reading the FAQ over at DSLReports, I'm limited by not having Ethernet from my ONT to the router.

 

[thiggins]

What problem are you trying to solve?

 

[kronik]

Not so much solving a problem as coming up with the right gear.

For instance -

What fits the following description: "some sort of capable firewall/router with LACP/VPN?" For instance, the SRX5308 is almost there except:

- it doesn't support jumbo frames which would be ideal for iSCSI
- has throughput issues that I've read about here
- only has 4 whereas I would like 8 ports

I have only a passing familiarity with SOHO gear and have not found anything that fits the bill. I would suspect this may (?) be a fairly common question with the advent of ZFS/home virtualization/VPN.

The wireless question is almost an afterthought as the 3700v1 seems like it'll work just fine but I'm a completionist.

 

[thiggins]

Don't worry about jumbo frames. Current computers don't really gain anything from them.

You might look at a Cisco RV220W.

 

[bendsley]

I agree, do not do jumbo frames. More often than not in a home environment, you won't even push the limit to warrant jumbo frames and two, they cause more trouble than they're worth. I don't even use them on my iSCSI SAN and multiple VM servers at work.

LACP is what you would want to use for nic-teaming. I've used it at my house to copy from one NAS to a new one that I purchased and it saved a CONSIDERABLE amount of time....however....if you have other devices connected to your switch using only a 1gb link, then the point for LACP is moot. You will go from your NAS <--> SWITCH at 2gb, but then from your SWITCH <--> COMPUTER (or whatever) at 1gb, unless you link them too. You will still be bandwidth constrained on that end. It's much the same as trying to get a faster connection to the internet while using Wireless N and gigabit inside your house, however you only have a 2MB internet connection.

TL;DR:
NIC teaming is not really worth it unless you're going to nic team everything in your house that is wired.