switches, router,ethernet configuration

Posted by: jsaudio on 17 June 2018

I currently have a Pakedge R60D router to a Pakedge 16 port Gigabit AVB ethernet switch with SFP(whatever that means). We have some home automation with Control-4. All 16 switch ports are being used and in fact,several ports directly from router are also being used after running out of switch ports. I think that the 50 foot run of dual Cat-6 to my 272 is coming from the switch although it may be coming directly from the router, not sure. Anyway when I test the speed directly connected to that ethernet wire its about 200 Mbps.

So my questions are:

1.After reading several threads on the virtues of the Cisco 2690 switches, am I not getting the best SQ possible despite the rather fast hard wired connection speed ?

2. If the ethernet wire to the 272 is coming directly from the router, is that an issue?

3. I have the 50 foot run of ethernet wire from my basement to the Hi-Fi system and obviously can't use "audiophile" ethernet wire. Would you set this up differently.

The modem is on the rack in the basement with the router and switch. Can I have a separate switch connected to router dedicated to the audio and hence 2 switches from same router etc.

I obviously know very little about all this and have basically gotten all my information from this forum.

Hoping for some practical advice. I know Simon is especially knowledgable regarding this topic.

Thanks 

Posted on: 17 June 2018 by ChrisSU

If you are running out of ports, you can use the SFP ports (by inserting a suitable SFP module) to give you a couple of extra connections. These can be either fibre optic connections, in which case you would need another switch at the other end to convert back to Ethernet, or you can stick with an Ethernet SFP. Alternatively just get a bigger switch with maybe 24 ports. 

Posted on: 17 June 2018 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi as Chris says, SFP stands for Small Form-Factor Pluggable adapters .. these adapters are used for Ethernet and allow either twisted pair or fibre Ethernet connections.

As far as you wiring, then Ethernet runs usually in multiples of 10 so will most likely at 100 Mbps or 1000Mbps. 

It sounds like you have a network switch...so you can check your streamer cable goes back to it. Having longer runs of Ethernet cable I say is beneficial sonically over short runs, so a 50foot run would be ideal.

I am not familiar with the manufacturer of your switch and router, but a quick google shows it has 5 LAN switch ports (basically a switch built into it), so you could connect your streamer to one of these instead of your switch if you want... which ever is most convenient.

Simon

Posted on: 17 June 2018 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Having longer runs of Ethernet cable I say is beneficial sonically over short runs, so a 50foot run would be ideal.

Why?

Posted on: 25 June 2018 by Jinjuku
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

 

It sounds like you have a network switch...so you can check your streamer cable goes back to it. Having longer runs of Ethernet cable I say is beneficial sonically over short runs, so a 50foot run would be ideal.

Hmm.... Both my instrumented testing with ARTA and an RME UFX ADC (objective testing) and subjective (Computer>Emotiva DC-1> AKG 701's) didn't net any benefit with a 3 foot $700 Nordost or a 315 foot $90 generic Berktek CAT5e that I terminated myself.