internet network

I have cincinnati bell fiber @ 1gbps. I am currently using their modem/router/switch combo box and one of my own routers. I would like to set up a LAN network capable of handling more bandwidth. The router/modem combo has 5 gigabit Ethernet ports and wifi. My router is a Netgear router with 5 ethernet ports and wifi.

I want to set up a home network for file transfers and video/music streaming from a central server PC which will contain the files to be streamed. I would like to wire Ethernet plug-ins for laptops and in most rooms. I want to be able to stream lightly-compressed (blu-ray level) and uncompressed 1080p and 4K movies stored on the server to two HTPCs that are attached to the TVs (one is a RP CRT unit in the basement and one is a Plasma in the living room). I also want the server to be accessible from the WAN so that I can play or read anything stored on it from outside of the house.

I understand the very basics of networking, but I need advice on how to set this up. How much bandwidth is needed to stream 1920x1080 blu-ray-level compressed movies to each TV? How much for uncompressed 4K? How much for lightly 4K? Would paying to both TVs at once need more bandwidth than just one?

Your gigabit router/modem is quite enough for all of your networking needs.

4k video will always be "compressed". a 4k video stream is at most 15 Mbps. Just makes sure all of your cable runs to your wall jack are at least cat 5e (not cat 5). Cat 6 and above is unnecessary but still ok. Even a fast ethernet network can handle your "video" needs. Where you will see most benefit from a gigabit network is your file transfers.

MikeRotch said:

Your gigabit router/modem is quite enough for all of your networking needs.

4k video will always be "compressed". a 4k video stream is at most 15 Mbps. Just makes sure all of your cable runs to your wall jack are at least cat 5e (not cat 5). Cat 6 and above is unnecessary but still ok. Even a fast ethernet network can handle your "video" needs. Where you will see most benefit from a gigabit network is your file transfers.

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The router/modem does not have enough ports for what I'm trying to do. A 1080p movie with blu-ray-type compression can go up to 40Mbps and is generally 25Mbps minimum. Maybe if you have netflix or youtube quality garbage you could get 4K at 3840x2160, but anything with an OK level of compression is AT LEAST 50mbps, usually more.

rabidz7 said:

The router/modem does not have enough ports for what I'm trying to do.

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Then buy a switch.

Good luck streaming uncompressed 1080p video even more so uncompressed 4k.

As always, budget is a limiting factor.

Theorically plain old ethernet 100mb is more than enough for compressed 1080p/4k streaming.

But since gigabit switches are the rule now I'd go with that. Of course the server will need at least a 1gb card.

Cat 5e is the bare minimum for 1gbit.

You don't really need a managed switch, TPlink is a good choice imo say 24 ports

Stoly said:

Good luck streaming uncompressed 1080p video even more so uncompressed 4k.

As always, budget is a limiting factor.

Theorically plain old ethernet 100mb is more than enough for compressed 1080p/4k streaming.

But since gigabit switches are the rule now I'd go with that. Of course the server will need at least a 1gb card.

Cat 5e is the bare minimum for 1gbit.

You don't really need a managed switch, TPlink is a good choice imo say 24 ports

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i found some gigabit 24 port switches for under 200, which is totally in my range. Do you have any suggestions for 10-gigabit switches?

What is your budget - 10G is generally order of magnitude more expensive than 1G even secondhand.

rabidz7 said:

i found some gigabit 24 port switches for under 200, which is totally in my range. Do you have any suggestions for 10-gigabit switches?

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Cheap 10-gigabit switches are not worth it.

While a good gigabit switch costs about $200 dlls a 10gb costs upwards $900

@ rabidz7
If you're going for a 24p switch, get a Zyxel GS1910-24 or GS1920-24 instead. While TP-Link have a few good products I wouldn't spend that much money on their "value" gear.
//Danne

If you have Cinbell for tv too, using your own router is not very straightforward. I think you can make it work with the right router, but I only have Fioptics internet @ 1gig like you so I don't know much about it.

If you don't want to run your own router, and it can be tough to find a router that will really do 1gbps, then you should just hang a switch off your ONT that they've supplied you with.

You can have them put it in bridge mode if you're dead set on running your own router, but really it just sounds like you'd like to have more ports for wired lan. So just hang a switch off the ONT.

You do not have uncompressed movies. Uncompressed 1080p video at 4:4:4 and 24fps is approximately 700GB per hour. 4K bumps that to ~3TB per hour. If you were to somehow stumble upon uncompressed content, it certainly wouldn't be anything out of Hollywood.