Network System Architecture Upgrade Needed?

[Poker_Stew]

We are three day-traders planning to office together in a residential area. At times, on our three separate systems, we will simultaneously run a total of 12 or more live streaming video and streaming data apps as well as other internet access business apps all with a need for immediate, absolutely no lag, upstream capability. The two part question becomes: Is there a point at which adding to an individual systems already taxing load on the local network overwhelm that individual systems network interface to a point where an upgrade or addition of an additional node (another computer) on the network becomes necessary? The second part of the question is: What is the best architecture for the network itself. Assuming the initial network interfaces we have (WiFi mostly with one on Cat6 at times) and 50 Mbps cable ISP to start, with higher speeds up to 300 Mbps (at much higher cost) available. What are the BEST Bang for the Buck no bottleneck options for network architecture and is WiFi even still an available option and not any kind bottleneck? The budget is basically whatever it takes without going crazy.

 

[kanewolf]

#1 don't use WIFI
#2 see #1

ALL real-time streaming devices should be wired only. Pay the money to have someone run cables if it is not feasible to DIY.

 

[Poker_Stew]

#1 don't use WIFI
#2 see #1

ALL real-time streaming devices should be wired only. Pay the money to have someone run cables if it is not feasible to DIY.

Do you think we need more than just a plain jane hub for that much streaming? How about the 50Mbps, do you think that will be enough bandwidth?

 

[viewtyjoe]

1. If you are running business critical applications over a network, bite the bullet and get a commercial connection. It's more expensive, but the service contract is much more favorable in comparison to a residential contract with regards to service failures.

2. As kanewolf said, if it's really critical to your business functions, wire it. No ifs, ands, or buts. Cabling isn't terribly expensive and most areas have at least one quality contractor who can plan out and execute on a good wiring infrastructure for your place of work, whether its a commercial or residential property.

3. Most of your wired infrastructure will happily handle 1Gbps and depending on your equipment and Cat6 runs (iirc) may handle up to 10Gbps without a hitch. Chances are that any decent router and the switches or hubs needed to support the cabling in #2 should be more than enough to handle any speed your ISP offers.

4. I work for an IT contracting firm. Our data center runs fairly smoothly at 100/100mbps and our office runs on a similar connection supporting ~50 users, with 5-10 at any given point performing real-time diagnostics/maintenance remotely. I don't know the exact data needs of your feeds, but unless you're downloading in excess of 500MB or more a minute, 50mbps should be adequate for your needs.

5. Depending on the layout of your office space, you could do WiFi, but it would end up with wires running out to APs terminating close to your PCs anyways, eliminating much of the advantage (fewer wires, etc.)