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[pearljam45]

I'm experiencing a little bit of lag with my 100mbps network, but haven't seen any real conclusion.

Can anyone comment on whether it is worthwhile to upgrade to a gigabit switch?

Thanks

[McPillager]

Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't worth it. 

[Moose_On_Roids]

My 2 cents...

I have a Trendnet gigabit switch on a cat 6 hardwired network, an intel MB with a gigabit port, and all HDDs are 7200RMP SATA II.  Typical transfer ranges are 14-18MBs, with occasional 18~22MBs transfers (usually with single or smaller file size transfers - no surprise). I've tried putting both the DNS-323 and PC within less than 6ft from my switch, and no real improvement.  I've also tried playing with Jumbo frame rates - no improvement again.

So technically, yes I am achieving a gigabit network, but barely (100Mbps network has a max or 12.5MBs).  Based on other posts, what I am achieving is pretty typical among gigabit users.

Is it worth upgrading - sort of.  Only for the sake of future expansion and incorporation of other devices on the network that are capable of higher rates.  Otherwise, if it is your sole reason, spend the $ elsewhere.

[Cliff]

My two cents. I find the ability to run jumbo frames over gb has a bigger impact than the increased bandwidth. My mileage is also 18-22MBps.

[47th_ronin]

no need to buy cat6 cables yet. i use selfmade cables (standard cat5 utp) and tested them recently with fluke cableiq tester to find them all gigabit ethernet capable in all aspects.

[fordem]

For average home/office use, there's no significant advantage to gigabit - sure a large file transfer might take a few seconds less - but unless you're constantly transferring large files, it's not going to make a heck of a lot of difference.

A couple of years back a friend of mine bought a building to house his small (but rapidly growing) law practice and we wired it CAT5e and because I got a good deal on a 16 port gigabit switch (the equivalent 100mbps switch actually cost a few bucks more), we went gigabit - the servers already had gigabit interfaces as did a few of the desktops.

It didn't make a heck of a lot of difference - practice management applications that take 30~45 seconds to open up, now take noticeably less time, maybe 10~20 seconds - but, since you start the app once a day, there's no significant time saved.

Sure - we can push large files over the LAN faster and run backups in less time, but unless you're constantly moving ginormous files around, you're not likely to save a significant amount of time.

[pearljam45]

Thanks for your advice everyone.

I have wired my house Cat5e so I SHOULD get gigabit speeds, but I will heed your advice and not purchase the switch.

Although I suspect if I add many more devices to my network, I'll need to add switch anyway and will probably pick up the gigabit then.

cheers,

PJ

[Lighting Guy]

I went through this same debate in my head while purchasing my NAS "system."  I ended up getting a basic 5 port gigabit, because the house is pre-wired with Cat 5e, I wanted to be future proof, and it was only $5-10 more then the megabit switch...

EDIT: I forgot to mention, my laptop is the only client with gigabit for now, and with the DNS and laptop connected to the switch, I was only getting 13-14 MBps, up to 16 some times, so I'm not even getting the 20+ some are reporting...

[pearljam45]

Yeah, that was my thinking. I already have two desktops (main pc and media centre pc) that are gigabit along with the 323, so I figured it may be a good idea.

I'm still considering it.

[ChosenGSR]

So the 15-22MB/s "limit" people are running into, the device DNS-323 is the culprit?  Sorry I'm new to this as I just ordered mine yesterday 

[fordem]

That is correct - the silicon can only move the data so fast.

[47th_ronin]

still, as the price difference is not that great (and in some cases gigabit devices are even cheaper than fastethernet equipment) it's good to have one kind of interfaces all through your network. and when you buy some newer/better/faster nas the faster network is already there.

[urbang33k]

http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=6839.0

check this thread oput and my posts on the 3rd page.