Routers v switches for streaming video?

njparton · nForced²

I'd like to get some feedback from people who operate wired home networks and use a range of routers and/or switches to see which is best.

I currently have 2 PC's connected to a Netgear WPN824 v2.0 router (via ethernet cables) and it takes about 45 mins to transfer an 800 MB video file from one to the other (for example).

I was thinking about adding a gigabit network switch to my network, connecting my 2 PC's to it and then the switch to the router. Assuming that both of my PC's have gigabit ethernet nics*, can I realistically expect much faster transfer times?

Ideally I want to be in the position of being able to stream the video file and not have to copy it, something I can't do at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any advice

*Once I upgrade my nforce4 system to a 680i system both will have gigabit ethernet nics, the other PC uses a G965 MB...

bardu · nForced

Man, that's miserable slow! i have 10 mb/s with 90m utp cable, using a conecction betwen 2 computers, both with 10/100 lan.
A file like u described 800mb video, should transfer in less then 1,5 minutes!
Btw, you make your own cables? If u do CHECK THIS.

njparton · nForced²

I know (and thanks for the sympathy Crying or Very sad

).

I'm even thinking of adding a gigabit ethernet PCI card to my nforce 4 PC and connecting both PC's to the router with Cat 6 cabling to see if that makes a difference.

I realise Cat 6 cabling will only be of benefit if I add a gigabit switch, but I may as well try if I think I'll end up buying one anyway!.

MiniMax · **Jabba the Hutt** Ultra nForced

njparton · nForced²

Many thanks for your reply. Pinging my htpc downstairs takes 4ms.

I've seen a few gigabit switches on eBay for <£10 so I'm thinking one's worth a shot. Routers must be optimised for sharing a broadband connection and not connecting the ports to one another as you suggest. This may of course be a generalisation - some routers must be better than this!

MiniMax · **Jabba the Hutt** Ultra nForced

4 ms? Still a long time I think. I only have this one PC here, but pinging my router takes less than 1 ms, and pinging the first hop on the way to my ISP takes 6-7 ms.

Yours should be faster than 4 ms I think.

njparton · nForced²

Hmmm, I think I have a wiring issue then...

I'm about to re-decorate and was thinking about putting in some permanent Cat 6 cabling anyway.

Zetro · **Canada's National Geek** Ultra nForced

Netgear here and there has put extremely poor switches and sometimes as Minimax is noting hubs into their home equipment to save costs. 4MS to ping internally is extremely unacceptable, it would be >1ms.

I have an old RP614 V2 for example that before I updated the firmware exhibited very similar issues as to you were having. The only issue being that they have not fixed these issues on every device so you might be out of luck.

As Minimax said you need to is possible link 2 PC's together and see if you have a possible NIC issue. If I was a betting man going to an electronics store and buying a router just to test may be the fastest test as I am 99% sure that is what it is. Best part is that if it isn't that you can always return it Smile

njparton · nForced²

Thanks, I can pick up some Cat 6 cabling on eBay for a few pounds so I'll try that and connecting both PC's together to see if that effects the ping. I'll have to try and route out an old crossover adaptec to do the old PC to PC thing...