Can I VLAN my way round Network noise?

Posted by: kevin J Carden on 21 January 2018

I’ve recently bought a DrayTek 2862 Firewall Router to try to get around a variety of persistent problems that seemed to plague me when using standard issue routers supplied by my ISP. Happily it has worked a charm - everything works reliably, speeds are obviously better and I’d even swear that the HIFi sounds better 

I’ve also configured a separate switch (ZyXel GS1100-16) just for main system music so that only NAS, Unitiserve and the port serving the NDS plus a link to the router are plugged into it. I have not yet configured the LAN ports to create a separate VLAN for the port from the ‘music’ switch, but wondering if I do so I will succeed in isolating the music switch from any noise from anything plugged into the main switch, a ZyXel GS1100-24 which has 17 ports occupied taking Ethernet all around the house, a Rako lighting system, Apple TV, DVD player, Sky TV etc..

Anyone else done this? Did it work? All thoughts welcomed..

Kevin

http://www.draytek.co.uk/infor...our-technology/vlans

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by Simon-in-Suffolk

You can use a separate subnet for audio, but your broadband router has to be able to route between your subnets and also to the internet... ie regular router functionality.

The advantage of a separate audio subnet is that you can minimise broadcast traffic to only required for audio... so reduce uneccessary NIC processing on your streamer on a busy network.

Do remember you will need to keep UPnP access points and control points in the same subnet as last time I looked UPnP only worked within a layer 2 domain, so you will need a strategy for Wifi.

Dont get hung up on the VLAN bit, it’s the subnet you need. VLANs are just a method of tagging frames specific to a particular subnet on a trunking link.

Posted on: 21 January 2018 by kevin J Carden

Thanks Simon. So not as simple as I’d hoped, but some possible benefit to be had. As you can guess, I’m feeling my way somewhat blindfold as I advance into this network stuff ! Your and Mike-B’s help is always greatly appreciated 

Posted on: 24 January 2018 by Ravenswood10

Good choice of router though. I got one last September as I was experiencing all manner of issues with HH6s. It’s been rock solid. I’m even hoping that we’ll see better B.B. speeds with Openreach installing FTTP down the lane although snails probably work faster!