New fibre installation, using existing structured cabling

[kazsoft]

Easy Smart Switch. Good choice !

There are so many new networking products these days, it's not always easy to decide which ones to use. Luckily, the prices are so reasonable now, it doesn' really matter much. Just buy another one if it's useful.

[cswee]

you'd need 2 smart switches, one at the veONT and the other at your tv/router.  the 5 port is cheaper

[kazsoft]

Thanks! Found it.

I think I will give this product a miss. It runs a Windows Utility. I have switched to Macbook at home, and Linux at work. Many products will have built in Linux and run browser based configuration these days. So, this Windows Utility looks really outdated.

In addition, I would recommend a KISS approach whenever possible. "Keep It Simple, Stupid!"

Having to use a Windows PC to configure, and have the settings stored in a hardware, what if the box malfunctions ? It would be difficult to get a 2nd box and try to re-create the configurations, not to mention we'll need to configure the 2 boxes, one at each end. It's just too much trouble, not worth it.

http://www.tp-link.us/res/down/doc/Easy_Smart_Configuration_Utility_UG.pdf

[cswee]

your call, but for the benefit of anyone wanting to try this solution, v2 of the switch has the web based management console. no need for the windows based utility.

I don't work for SH or TP Link, just a happy camper overflowing with bandwith.

[kazsoft · Accepted solution]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I really learned a lot. Hopefully, this will solve my cable modem daily disconnection problem once and for all.

This is what it looks like. The fibre goes into the ONT. The ONT has Port 1 for Network, Port 2 for IPTV, Tel 1 for Telephone. At first I tried to patch to a data point in the living room. It worked. But then I want to reserve that data port for the IPTV (I only have 1 data point in the living room.)

So, keeping everything in the cabinet for now. I am using a flat Cat 6 cable between the ONT and the Wireless Router, so that the cabinet door can close without touching the network cable.

Also, the holes for the metal cable box are not opened. So, I'll just put a stopper there for now, to make sure it doesn't cut the cables when the metal door is closed.

Depending on the location in my home, I get around 20Mbps, to the fastest 100Mbps. I am using an old MacBook Air, so I guess the WIFI speed is also limited. Probably it won't go higher than 100Mbps.

The speed test shows it has gone back up again, but still only around 66Mbps. Anyway, as long as it doesn't disconnect daily I am happy.

Thanks, Guys !

[Onyx88]

Interesting reads.

I just started looking at fibre plans (Internet and Fibre TV) cos' SH is phasing out cable.

Fibre broadband:

I'm still using my low cable plan (as long as it works for my soccer streaming)

300Mbps would be good enough? Since not much difference with overseas traffic...

Not sure what 1Gbps can do.

Let me know if powerline works for fibre. (Using powerline for my cable, but keeps having line drop. Or is it SH issue?)

wireless - read that DIR 868 seems to have better review than DIR 890. Wireless coverage is a concern cos' currently some blind spots not covered, maybe due to walls/closed doors/old wireless router.

Hate to do additional LAN cablings to rooms, cos' of false ceiling. (I think 10 years ago, not many people would do LAN cabling at homes)

Fibre TV:

read that it requires additional cabling for 2nd fibre set-top box in room.

the IP switch can be shared with broadband?

else so many extra devices.

If cannot lay nice cable, then have to drop the 2nd set-top box.

cheers!

[kazsoft]

IPTV, don't have the box yet. I guess I will have to take the set top box to Starhub to exchange for a new box.

For WIFI, with my Wireless Router in the closet, the speed is quite different depending on where I am in the home.

The ping speed is almost the same as the cable modem, no difference.

At the farthest point, I get around 25Mbps.

The closet is behind the fridge. So, if I am in the living room with the fridge in between, I get this:

If I stand right next to the cabinet with nothing blocking, I get this best speed using my MacBook Air.

Don't know about the powerline adapter connection yet. I probably need to buy a NAS to connect to it, or get a Windows laptop before I can test.

Otherwise, the Huawei ONT and the D-Link DIR-868L basically work 'out-of-the-box'. Very quick and simple installation.

[kazsoft]

[Onyx88]

Referring to SH diagram.

ONT - IP switch - IPTV(B)

A bit extra to get separate switch for router.

[Onyx88]

@kazsoft

Your DIR868 will auto detect between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band for your devices?