Direct connection to NAS vs connection via switch question

Posted by: Scotty on 27 March 2014

Sorry if this has been asked before. I couldn't find an answer when I searched.

 

My question:

Most people here suggest that connecting HDX or NDS via ethernet cable to an ethernet switch...and connecting a NAS to the same switch is best. However some NAS devices have two ethernet ports. I was wondering if anyone has tried connecting a HDX or NDS directly to their NAS using a crossover ethernet cable while connecting the NAS via its other ethernet port to a switch for other (non-music) duties? If so, are there any improvements in SQ? The reason I ask is because I imagine that removing the switch between the network player and NAS would be beneficial.

 

Thanks in anticipation!

Scott.

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by osprey

I have no experience on sound quality but with this configuration I assume that you will lose at least the option to use n-Stream.

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Scotty
Stupid me!
I hadn't thought about that....I have an HDX and use n-Serve wirelessly but of course commands will not be transferred through the NAS.
Thanks for pointing out the issue.
Scott.
 
Originally Posted by osprey:

I have no experience on sound quality but with this configuration I assume that you will lose at least the option to use n-Stream.

 

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by hungryhalibut

Keep the switch, get some AudioQuest Ethernet cables, and prepare to be amazed.....

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by rjstaines
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Keep the switch, get some AudioQuest Ethernet cables, and prepare to be amazed.....


...or keep the switch, get some Sarum TA Ethernet cables and prepare to be ...broke (skint, brassic).

 

 

(whichever you do, keep the switch)

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by NickSeattle

Wish AQ made a switch.

 

My CAT6 wires are not terminated at the wall; six of them extend 4' out of the wall and straight into the NDX, SBT, Mac Mini, and Apple TV; and connect directly to the 24-port switch in the Furnace Room.  

 

At least I do not have the PS for the switch near the Hi-Fi.  

 

Should I add wall-terminals, another switch, and AQ patches?

 

Nick

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by garyi

You really want solid core in the walls, if you have then they want to be terminating into face plates with patch cables from there to the hdx

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Scotty

Thanks for all your replies.

New switch ordered (Netgear ProSafe GS108T). Is it a good idea to use both ethernet ports on the NAS and connect both to the switch?

I am going to change my ethernet cables to cat6. The music room and study (where the NAS is) are quite a distance apart (about 15m). I decided to have a go at making the cables myself. I have bought a reel of cable, crimping tool and continuity tester. From what I've read here, this will be better than ethernet-over-mains (my current setup). I would need to remortgage the house to install Sarum TA ethernet cables!

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Scott.

 

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Spotty, it depends on the switch and the config on the NAS. If there two ports are designed to be bonded using ether channel or 802.3ad link aggregation, then you will need a switch that supports this, these are not usually mid to low end consumer switches.

if the two NAS ports are effectively switched, then you can only connect them to your switch if you are using spanning tree protocol or a loop would occur and stop the link working, again your NAS and switch would need to support and again typically not supported in consumer switches.

So you need to advise a little more about the config of the two NAS Ethernet points so as to answer your question.

Simon

 

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Scotty
Hi Simon,
 
thanks for the advice.
 
The NAS is a Synology DS1511+ and according to the literature "....has some advanced features, such as Link Aggregation" which leads me to believe that I can connect both LAN ports to the switch. I thought I might need a special switch and so I went for the Netgear ProSafe GS108T which allows "customers to better manage their network. Included are performance monitoring, port configuration, VLAN for traffic control, link

aggregation for increased bandwidth".

 

I am a novice as far as networks are concerned but I hope I have compatible hardware and will be able to work it out when the switch arrives.  Maybe it will not make any difference but I thought I might as well try using two patch leads between NAS and switch to maximize bandwidth. I have had a few breaks in replay on my HDX when using ethernet-over-mains and this has been my motivation to find a better set up.

 

Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated as I venture into new territory!

 

Cheers,

Scott.

 
 
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

Spotty, it depends on the switch and the config on the NAS. If there two ports are designed to be bonded using ether channel or 802.3ad link aggregation, then you will need a switch that supports this, these are not usually mid to low end consumer switches.

if the two NAS ports are effectively switched, then you can only connect them to your switch if you are using spanning tree protocol or a loop would occur and stop the link working, again your NAS and switch would need to support and again typically not supported in consumer switches.

So you need to advise a little more about the config of the two NAS Ethernet points so as to answer your question.

Simon

 

 

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi Scotty.. (Sorry got you name wrong last time....) ok the GS108T is a managed switch. Therefore to turn on 802.3ad link aggregation ensure it is active on your Synology... Then before you connect both path leads between your switch and NAS, log into the switch, and then enable LLDP on the setup screen. LLDP is a link layer discovery protocol that can understand the capabilities of the host at the other end of the patch lead.

Once setup, you might want to plug a single patch lead to the NAS to see on the GS108T switch LLDP  screen whether the letter 'L' appears under the 802.3 column on the parameter table. If not try plugging both patch leads in.. At this point if the Synology is advertising it's supporting Link Aggregation, you should see the 'L' appear of the config table for the aggregated ports on the GS108T. 

At this point you will have created a high capacity link to your NAS, not needed for streaming but could help speed up file copying, restores and backups etc

Simon

 

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Scotty

Hi Simon,

 

no problem...I've been called worse!

Thanks for all the advice. I'll give it a go this weekend (I think the switch was delivered today).

 

Scott.

Posted on: 31 March 2014 by Scotty

Simon,

 

I did as you suggested and everything is working well.

Thank you for your advice. Really appreciated.

 

Best regards,
Scott.