Networking (not socially...) Gurus

whyfi

So, I'm expanding the usage of my home network - until now, it's basically been used for nothing more than sharing an internet connection. Now, I'll have a small home server where I'll store media for streaming (music, DVD, DVR, Blu-ray), back up PCs on the network and host a low-traffic website. In addition to the server, I'll have the usual assortment of... stuff: a few PCs, a wireless AP (for the iPhone and streaming music to the stereo) and a network printer. My question is...

Will I see any performance gains with something better than my $40 router?

brooklynjack

I think it is a mistake to have a home server, even low traffic. It is a huge security risk and the users download speed is only going to be as great as your upload speed. Hosting is just too cheap at places like siteground.com and dreamhost.com. The difference in price between a server and a simple network drive will pay for your hosting for quit a while

"Will I see any performance gains with something better than my $40 router?"

only on devices that are wireless, those plugged in via eithernet probably won't be any faster.

blenderfish

If you have two or more wired devices you should consider getting a router with a Gigabit switch in it. Make sure that your wired devices have gigabit ethernet cards and that you have CAT 5e or CAT 6 cables to get the most out of a gigabit router. Wireless devices will not be affected by this. For those, look for a router that has the Wireless N (802.11n) protocol. The same logic follows that in order to take advantage of this your wireless devices need to have N capable wireless cards.

doctorj

BrooklynJack wrote: I think it is a mistake to have a home server, even low traffic. It is a huge security risk and the users download speed is only going to be as great as your upload speed

I disagree -- I've maintained a home server for many years for my own convenience (smtp, ssh/scp, http) and never had a security problem or continually saturated uplink. If you like the satisfaction and control of diy, have a reasonable idea of what you're doing, are up to date on a server-grade O.S., have a firewall set up the way you want it, and your traffic is very low, then why not?

whyfi

doctorj wrote: If you like the satisfaction and control of diy...

Exactly - this will be a bit of a hobby for me, not work.