Hardware recommendations for 10GbE Home/Soho network

uaeproz

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 OM4 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? 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 installed.
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?
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

aGeekhere

Cat6 can do 10 Gbps over 33-55 meters. The main thing to watch for is a bottle neck. To get 10 gigabit speeds you will need something like this.
Data server(CPU like a 7th gen i7, 10 gigabit network card, ssd raid(HDD can not push 10 gigabit speeds) or use ssd caching if using HHD raid(still may not get 10 gigabit speeds).

All devices plug into the 10 gigabit switch.

Linus at Linus tech tips has some videos on setting this up, go have a look at his YouTube channel.

uaeproz

@aGeekHere:

Cat6 can do 10 Gbps over 33-55 meters. The main thing to watch for is a bottle neck. To get 10 gigabit speeds you will need something like this.
Data server(CPU like a 7th gen i7, 10 gigabit network card, ssd raid(HDD can not push 10 gigabit speeds) or use ssd caching if using HHD raid(still may not get 10 gigabit speeds).

All devices plug into the 10 gigabit switch.

Linus at Linus tech tips has some videos on setting this up, go have a look at his YouTube channel.

Yeah I've seen it, I like the idea. However, I'm inclined toward fiber now just to make it future ready and to be honest, I want to get into the fiber optic world with this project. I have listed all of the hardware, my NAS has i7 on it with Cache SSDs in raid 0. I'm planning to get 10GbE NICs.

I'm going to get another server with soon with M.2 SSDs.

badgast

I also did some research to have my home-setup "fiberered", but the lack of experience of making my own LC, LLC or whatever connector, witheld me from continuing.
Special tools, expensive, no physical shop to buy and/or ask…... So I am stuck with Cat6a...

Waiting for the plug and play connector... ;-)

johnpoz

"Waiting for the plug and play connector… ;-)"

You do understand you can by fiber with whatever connectors you need of all kinds of different lengths for very reasonable pricing.

badgast

@johnpoz:

"Waiting for the plug and play connector… ;-)"

You do understand you can by fiber with whatever connectors you need of all kinds of different lengths for very reasonable pricing.

Yes I do, but I can't lead the fiber with connector through the tube, so 1 end has to be cut and welded on again after putting it through the tube…. And that was my showstopper so to speak... Maybe today there are more easy fitting solutions....

johnpoz

get a bigger tube ;)

uaeproz

@johnpoz:

get a bigger tube ;)

That's the kind of responses I was looking for ;-)

What size do you recommend?