Replacing old AiMesh Asus network - need 10G local LAN

[BJBBJB]

I am a big Asus fan and have a working but older Asus AiMesh system. What is triggering this is a new NAS with 10G and a new Asus ROG-based fast PC I built. I want to get those 2 devices connected on a local LAN on the 10G side. It looks like the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO, (which I think is the newest?) has the 2 10G ports like the older one I helped a friend setup?

Should I be looking at any other router? I typically buy what is most current as I do not replace this for a very long time. I use backhaul to my nodes which I know helps the available wifi bands.

My internet is under 1Gbps so I think I can use the 2.5G WAN port on that device, is that correct? Although to be honest the instructions and port labeling is confusing. Can I use the 2.5g WAN, the one dual-labeled 10G port and the other 10G port to do what I want? I am trying to get away from also buying a 10G switch just for two devices.

I would use the other 2.5g ports for 2 backhaul connections to AiMesh routers used as nodes and connection to gig switches which is fine for the rest of my network. Any suggestions on nodes (router models) that would be appropriate for this router? My current ones are old and would not re-use. Last time I looked it made sense to still buy their standalone router and 2 nodes vs. their out-of-box mesh but if updated could look at.

Do I need to create a separate subnet on a different number to keep those 2 10G devices separate? Or because they are not sharing a switch and are both plugged into 10G perhaps I can leave as is on my main network numbering.

Lots of questions! Thanks for any input.

 

[jzchen]

I am a big Asus fan and have a working but older Asus AiMesh system. What is triggering this is a new NAS with 10G and a new Asus ROG-based fast PC I built. I want to get those 2 devices connected on a local LAN on the 10G side. It looks like the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO, (which I think is the newest?) has the 2 10G ports like the older one I helped a friend setup?

While not the newest offering, (released towards the end of 2023), I believe it is still the highest spec router ASUS offers here in the United States. Yes, it has 2 10G ports as you are looking for.

Should I be looking at any other router? I typically buy what is most current as I do not replace this for a very long time. I use backhaul to my nodes which I know helps the available wifi bands.

ASUS has released newer models with lower specs. But I can't think of another ASUS model router I would recommend, with limited knowledge of what WiFi specs you are interested in.

My internet is under 1Gbps so I think I can use the 2.5G WAN port on that device, is that correct? Although to be honest the instructions and port labeling is confusing. Can I use the 2.5g WAN, the one dual-labeled 10G port and the other 10G port to do what I want? I am trying to get away from also buying a 10G switch just for two devices.

Yes, the 2.5 G WAN port should work as WAN. The 2.5 G LAN port right next to it works simultaneously as I've tried. Both 10G ports support LAN as you wish to use them.

I would use the other 2.5g ports for 2 backhaul connections to AiMesh routers used as nodes and connection to gig switches which is fine for the rest of my network. Any suggestions on nodes (router models) that would be appropriate for this router? My current ones are old and would not re-use. Last time I looked it made sense to still buy their standalone router and 2 nodes vs. their out-of-box mesh but if updated could look at.

There are many 2.5G capable ASUS router models should you consider replacing the gig switches. (I started with 1 Gig backhaul, moved to 2.5 Gig, and eventually 10 Gig, although I am not 100% confident the old in-wall wiring supports it, hopefully they are short enough runs that even though Cat 6, they do). Practically all ASUS routers support 1 Gig ethernet. WiFi 7 MLO opens a can of worms as far as I know requiring router and AiMesh nodes to be either the exact same model, or exact same WiFi specs as per my experience with the BE98 Pro and BQ16 Pro. (It allows me to create an MLO network across both).

Do I need to create a separate subnet on a different number to keep those 2 10G devices separate? Or because they are not sharing a switch and are both plugged into 10G perhaps I can leave as is on my main network numbering.

Lots of questions! Thanks for any input.

I don't keep 10G devices separate from my main network. (That said since my son moved out of the house, I am down to 1 10G ethernet capable desktop)...

 

[degrub]

If your 10G connections are only between the NAS and your PC, then just use a unmanaged 10Gb/s switch and call it done. A lan cable from each to the switch and one cable to a lan port on the existing router. Done.

If you need VLANs, just make sure the switch does not strip the VLAN tags from the packets. Or you can go with a layer 2.5 or 3 managed switch.

There are numerous threads here that discuss specific switches and their use in the \lan\router and \lan\switches and the \asus\AX and BE subforums.

 

[BJBBJB]

While not the newest offering, (released towards the end of 2023), I believe it is still the highest spec router ASUS offers here in the United States. Yes, it has 2 10G ports as you are looking for.

ASUS has released newer models with lower specs. But I can't think of another ASUS model router I would recommend, with limited knowledge of what WiFi specs you are interested in.

Yes, the 2.5 G WAN port should work as WAN. The 2.5 G LAN port right next to it works simultaneously as I've tried. Both 10G ports support LAN as you wish to use them.

There are many 2.5G capable ASUS router models should you consider replacing the gig switches. (I started with 1 Gig backhaul, moved to 2.5 Gig, and eventually 10 Gig, although I am not 100% confident the old in-wall wiring supports it, hopefully they are short enough runs that even though Cat 6, they do). Practically all ASUS routers support 1 Gig ethernet. WiFi 7 MLO opens a can of worms as far as I know requiring router and AiMesh nodes to be either the exact same model, or exact same WiFi specs as per my experience with the BE98 Pro and BQ16 Pro. (It allows me to create an MLO network across both).

I don't keep 10G devices separate from my main network. (That said since my son moved out of the house, I am down to 1 10G ethernet capable desktop)...

Thanks for that great info!
As to wifi I have no specific use case, just whatever is most current.

As to the nodes, I was hopeful things had progressed to where you didn't have to buy 3 high-end routers to have a 3 device mesh network. Maybe I should look at their mesh solution if it has 10G LAN.

My backhall would be 2.5G if I wired it this way. I will have to look around to research my node options with that router and compare it to their mesh offerings.

Thanks,
BJBBJB

 

[degrub]

Thanks for that great info!
As to wifi I have no specific use case, just whatever is most current.

As to the nodes, I was hopeful things had progressed to where you didn't have to buy 3 high-end routers to have a 3 device mesh network. Maybe I should look at their mesh solution if it has 10G LAN.

My backhall would be 2.5G if I wired it this way. I will have to look around to research my node options with that router and compare it to their mesh offerings.

Thanks,
BJBBJB

Use just APs as nodes. Forget the ASUS marketing AiMesh. Any APs meeting wifi 6 with 2x2 radios will be modern enough for a long time and most compatible with client devices. You should be able to use your existing devices, just in AP mode and be fine.

You don't need a new router with your use case. Just add the 10G switch and possibly convert the existing nodes to APs. You could also leave them alone, as is.

As long as the nodes are AC or AX based, then you won't see much if any coverage or meaningful bandwidth improvements with newer standard gear.

 

[BJBBJB]

If your 10G connections are only between the NAS and your PC, then just use a unmanaged 10Gb/s switch and call it done. A lan cable from each to the switch and one cable to a lan port on the existing router. Done.

If you need VLANs, just make sure the switch does not strip the VLAN tags from the packets. Or you can go with a layer 2.5 or 3 managed switch.

There are numerous threads here that discuss specific switches and their use in the \lan\router and \lan\switches and the \asus\AX and BE subforums.

Thanks. New to 10G so bear with me. What is the difference/advantage either way for setting it up these 2 ways:
1) Wire the 10G NAS to one of the 10G LAN ports on the router and wire the PC to the other 10G LAN port on the router.
Or
2) Wire a new 10G say 4 port switch to one of the two 10G LAN ports on the router leaving the other unused. Wire the NAS and the PC to the switch.

I don't anticipate having another device that uses 10G for a while.

Thanks,
BJBBJB

 

[degrub]

10G is no different than 1G in implementation. Cables should be CAT6 to minimize issues. Don't bother with CAT7 or higher as your distances are likely less than 100 ft.

for 1) you will have to have another port that is WAN/LAN switchable or dedicated to WAN in settings.

Otherwise no real difference between 1) and 2) if 1) has all ports on the switch portion of the router and does not involve the CPU. If use of one of the 10G WAN/LAN ports does entail using the CPU, then some loading of the CPU. Not likely to be significant for ordinary couple user residential use case. Cleanest is 2) which will not impact the router for NAS - PC traffic. Only when accessing another device on the router LAN or WAN (internet) will the CPU get traffic.

Since your ISP is limited to 1Gbit/s or less, you don' t need anything above a 1 Gb/s connection from the router to the ISP modem. Any port used on the router WAN will limit itself to whatever the link rate is from the modem. So even if you used a 10G port on the router, it would sync at 1 Gb/s with the modem port.

i wouldn't spend any funds on a new router since the routing to internet or between other nodes does not require it and you have a working system. Invest in the switch for the 10G link rate. BTW, if your NAS is based on disk drives or SATA SSDs, your transfers are not likely to be more than 1-2 Gbit/s anyway. Just curious, what is the use case for the NAS ? file storage only ? video editing ?

 

[BJBBJB]

10G is no different than 1G in implementation. Cables should be CAT6 to minimize issues. Don't bother with CAT7 or higher as your distances are likely less than 100 ft.

for 1) you will have to have another port that is WAN/LAN switchable or dedicated to WAN in settings.

Otherwise no real difference between 1) and 2) if 1) has all ports on the switch portion of the router and does not involve the CPU. If use of one of the 10G WAN/LAN ports does entail using the CPU, then some loading of the CPU. Not likely to be significant for ordinary couple user residential use case. Cleanest is 2) which will not impact the router for NAS - PC traffic. Only when accessing another device on the router LAN or WAN (internet) will the CPU get traffic.

Since your ISP is limited to 1Gbit/s or less, you don' t need anything above a 1 Gb/s connection from the router to the ISP modem. Any port used on the router WAN will limit itself to whatever the link rate is from the modem. So even if you used a 10G port on the router, it would sync at 1 Gb/s with the modem port.

i wouldn't spend any funds on a new router since the routing to internet or between other nodes does not require it and you have a working system. Invest in the switch for the 10G link rate. BTW, if your NAS is based on disk drives or SATA SSDs, your transfers are not likely to be more than 1-2 Gbit/s anyway. Just curious, what is the use case for the NAS ? file storage only ? video editing ?

Ding ding! Thanks, the light bulb went on. If I buy a 10G switch, hook it up to a 1G port on one of my current switches, it will talk to my network at 1G. But if I plug both my NAS and PC into the 10G switch, then they are accessing each other, it will be 10G or whatever the throughput maximum is of the NAS and PC. So I have that right?

So the fact that the switch is hooked up to a 1G switch won't impact the NAS to PC speed? I was always so sensitive in the early saysbof mixing slow and 1g devices on the same swirch...

I agree that this makes more sense than blowing up my network at this time if I am thinking right. It is not being saturated based on my ISP speeds and I can live without the latest greatest wifi protocols.

Any unmanaged 10G switch recommendations? I know QNAP my NAS brand has one. I'm an Asus guy and think I saw maybe one there. I don't need POE.

Forgot use case. All of the above. Video and photo editing, backup, plex serving on NAS, etc.

Thanks!
BJBBJB

 

[Tech9]

But if I plug both my NAS and PC into the 10G switch, then they are accessing each other, it will be 10G or whatever the throughput maximum is of the NAS and PC. So I have that right?

Yes. You don't need 10GbE router/gateway for this. If happy of what you have for routing and wireless - keep using it.

 

[degrub]

Ding ding! Thanks, the light bulb went on. If I buy a 10G switch, hook it up to a 1G port on one of my current switches, it will talk to my network at 1G. But if I plug both my NAS and PC into the 10G switch, then they are accessing each other, it will be 10G or whatever the throughput maximum is of the NAS and PC. So I have that right?

So the fact that the switch is hooked up to a 1G switch won't impact the NAS to PC speed? I was always so sensitive in the early saysbof mixing slow and 1g devices on the same swirch...

I agree that this makes more sense than blowing up my network at this time if I am thinking right. It is not being saturated based on my ISP speeds and I can live without the latest greatest wifi protocols.

Any unmanaged 10G switch recommendations? I know QNAP my NAS brand has one. I'm an Asus guy and think I saw maybe one there. I don't need POE.

Forgot use case. All of the above. Video and photo editing, backup, plex serving on NAS, etc.

Thanks!
BJBBJB

Regarding use case on NAS. 1) i hope you are NOT live editing snaps or video across the LAN. 2) i hope you are copying files from the NAS, editing on PC, and sending back to NAS. #1 would be terribly slow, even on 10Gbit/s LAN.

The reality is even with a new 10Gb switch, file xfer will only be a little snappier. You will likely find that the NAS cannot keep the ethernet pipeline full for a 10Gb LAN connection for R/W except possibly for sequential block transfer of a file, such as video. The PC has a better chance as it has a faster CPU and bus. But it will be limited by the NAS. And forget it if doing random read or write file transfers or directory copies. Find a copy of the NASPT ( IIRC ) testing software if you can. Run the random and sequential NAS R/W tests. Disk drives slow everything down in the real world.

BTW, be cautious with 2.5Gb LAN implementations. There are some chipset/drivers that don't play well with 5Gb or 10Gb interfaces from other vendors.

 

[jzchen]

I use a mix of TP-Link, TRENDnet, and Netgear unmanaged 10 GbE switches.

 

[BJBBJB]

Thanks for all that. I am not editing 100% of the time live on the NAS, however I am using a pretty fast QNAP NAS with an i7 CPU that other video editors have implemented but that is one of many uses for me.
Thanks,
BJBBJB

 

[jzchen]

https://www.trendnet.com/products/multigig-switch/6-port-10g-switch-TEG-S762-v2

may interest you. I use these in rooms where I know I simply need a pair of 10 G Ethernet ports. I also like that the power port is on the same side as the Ethernet ports, vs the TP-Link variant. (TP-Link also discontinued their "Lifetime Warranty" which I personally prefer).

 

[BJBBJB]

If your 10G connections are only between the NAS and your PC, then just use a unmanaged 10Gb/s switch and call it done. A lan cable from each to the switch and one cable to a lan port on the existing router. Done.

If you need VLANs, just make sure the switch does not strip the VLAN tags from the packets. Or you can go with a layer 2.5 or 3 managed switch.

There are numerous threads here that discuss specific switches and their use in the \lan\router and \lan\switches and the \asus\AX and BE subforums.

Still putting this together. I am going to leave my wifi network and router for now. Replacing two old 1G switches with a larger 1G switch to run off my 1G router but same router, nodes, etc. The below all relates to wired networking.

My NAS has a 10G port and two 2.5G ports. The NAS experts recommend:
-Wiring the 2.5G port to my 1G network for internet and access to those devices
-Connect the NAS 10G port direct to the PC 10G card using a different static IP subnet.
-Connect my PC internal 5G port to my 1G network for internet.
Whew! Since the PC and NAS would be connected together, and not through a router, I assume setting them up with a static IP on a different subnet from each device could be anything? And assume the intent is to marry those 2 with no outside access on that subnet. Great people helping with that and think I have that right?

Eventually I will do that but just realized it is problematic for now as my PC's PCIe slot 2 needs a firewire card for a while until done with capturing old video. I can't figure out any other way to get 10G onto that motherboard.

But in the interim, will the below work to get me at least 5G between NAS and PC?
-Wire new 5G switch to new 1G switch which has internet access.
- Connect NAS 10G ethernet card to 10G switch
-Connect PC 5G internal ethernet port to the 10G switch.
-PC and NAS have jnternet
Question. Can I use a static IP for the NAS on the same subnet as my 1G network amd still have the NAS and PC connect at at least 5G? Or does the fact that my 5G switch is connected to my 1G switch slow it down? I remember in the early 1G days having a slow device on your network could slow it down from 1G.

I hope that mess makes sense!
Thanks for any advice.
BJBBJB

 

[degrub]

Use SneakerNet to move large digitized videos to the NAS for now.
USB has plenty of speed and large disks are available for moving large files. 2TB drives are on sale at Amazon at 50-60 $/TB.
If you are editing those files, keep the storage local. Don't try to edit across the ethernet lan with such a slow connection (10Gb).
DO NOT DEPEND ON THE NAS FOR BACKUP if you care about those files. Keep at least another copy on a backup disk, preferably 2 different drives, two different media (SSD and spinning rust for example)

Yes, you can direct connect the 10Gb NAS port directly to the 10Gb port on the PC by making them have same subnet address and with a different final IP address number. You may need a crossover ethernet cable, don't remember for sure. Depends on if the two ports will auto negotiate like switch ports usually do.

IP configuration is specific to each port. Multiple NICs in a device can all be independent and on completely different networks

You should be able to get a 5Gb connection just using the PC 5Gb port to NAS and getting a USB (1Gb) ethernet adapter for your 1Gb LAN.

 

[BJBBJB]

Thanks! First, yes, i have a cloud backup also.

I will focus on the 5G PC connection as best I can do now.

(You should be able to get a 5Gb connection just using the PC 5Gb port to NAS and getting a USB (1Gb) ethernet adapter for your 1Gb LAN.)

My PC has one 5G ethernet port. No others. So it needs internet access also, it cannot go direct to NAS.

I already have a fully functional 1G switch connected to my router
My issue or question is....to get internet and hopefully 5G connection from the Pc to the NAS....

Can I connect the 1G switch to the 10G switch port 1. Connect port 2 on the 5G switch to the 10G port on the NAS. Connect port 2 on the 10G switch to the 5G port on the PC. In this scenario the PC and NAS are on the same subnet as the 1G network.

I know the NAS and PC will have internet this way. My question is, if I copy a file from the PC to the NAS will I get 5G speeds. The switch can negotiate down from 10g and supports 5g. Or does the fact that the 10G switch is conne Ted to the 1G switch for internet somehow limit the speed.

Or....I think you are maybe saying I have to connect the 5G PC ethernet to the 10G NAS ethernet on a different subnet which gets me the 5G speeds.. Then...get the 1G switch connected to a USB 1G on the PC to get the PC internet and then connect the 1G switch to the NAS 2.5GB to get the NAS internet?



Thanks!
BJBBJB

 

[degrub]

DO THIS and stop fretting:

"
If I buy a 10G switch, hook it up to a 1G port on one of my current switches, it will talk to my network at 1G. But if I plug both my NAS and PC into the 10G switch, then they are accessing each other, it will be 10G or whatever the throughput maximum is of the NAS and PC. So I have that right?

YES

So the fact that the switch is hooked up to a 1G switch won't impact the NAS to PC speed?

CORRECT
"

If you want to play with VLANs in the future, buy a managed ( ISO level 3 managed) or semi-managed (Level 2.5 managed) 10 Gb switch. Unmanaged switches may strip VLAN tags. It is difficult to know ahead of time as this is not always documented and you have to rely on others experience. Examples were given above. i would not consider a 2.5 or 5Gb switch for several reasons - some incompatibilities can exist, particularly in the 2.5Gb devices and switches tend to last a long time.

 

[BJBBJB]

DO THIS and stop fretting:

"
If I buy a 10G switch, hook it up to a 1G port on one of my current switches, it will talk to my network at 1G. But if I plug both my NAS and PC into the 10G switch, then they are accessing each other, it will be 10G or whatever the throughput maximum is of the NAS and PC. So I have that right?

YES

So the fact that the switch is hooked up to a 1G switch won't impact the NAS to PC speed?

CORRECT
"

If you want to play with VLANs in the future, buy a managed ( ISO level 3 managed) or semi-managed (Level 2.5 managed) 10 Gb switch. Unmanaged switches may strip VLAN tags. It is difficult to know ahead of time as this is not always documented and you have to rely on others experience. Examples were given above. i would not consider a 2.5 or 5Gb switch for several reasons - some incompatibilities can exist, particularly in the 2.5Gb devices and switches tend to last a long time.

Thanks a lot! No fretting but after years of building PC's, like to do all tech things right! And preferably the first time.
And thanks for the VLAN tip. I am sure I will.be playing around with things.
Thanks,
BJBBJB

 

[jzchen]

Amazon Prime has amazing discounts on these switches right now...