Network
Essentials
Modem and Router OR a Gateway (Modem + Router in one)
Switch, for everyone to connect together, including servers, gateway, modem and AP’s (Access Points/Wi-Fi) via ethernet.
Switches can be unmanaged or managed. Unmanaged is cheaper and Managed is more expensive but comes with administration level features for different layers per the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model.
Switch
Ideally use ONE manufacturer for networking components for best compatibility and configuration. (will save you lots of money on Ibuprofen)
Using an unmanaged switch, will work and requires no configuration, but when one person downloads a game and everyone else loses connection, you’ll have an upset LAN Party and might get you duct taped to the ceiling.
A Managed switch is idea to be able to set bandwidth limitations, routing information, managing security and more.
(TIP: Netgear has great managed switches for specific network layers, do not require subscriptions and have the best options in my opinion.)
Stacking Switches if necesssary is okay if allowed by the model being used. Configurations might be different between switches, check manuals.
Suggested to setup LAG (Link Aggregation Group) using manual (static) setup or dynamic (changing, not static) setup using LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol).
This is for Netgear equipment.
Cabling
Using Cat6 or higher rated cable is recommended, Cat6A was what I used as I built a 10 Gbps (Giga bit per second) LAN that was setup in a “Bus-Star” Hybrid configuration.
LAN Drops
At first you might run CAT Cable all over the floor with lots of extension cords. Try to keep the CAT and Power Extension cords a foot or more apart from each other to prevent as much interference as possible.
Getting LAN drops to the 10 people sitting in the center tables of your 20 person LAN in a 2 car garage can be a challenge. I did it by putting LAN Drops and extra outlets in the ceiling to plug into.
Patch Panels
Patch Panels are awesome in that you can run long lengths of cable to a wall plate keystone from the back of a patch panel. From the front you run a short cable to the switch. This is perfect for troubleshooting the network and makes it easy to re-configure the network on the fly if needed.
KVM Switch
KVM Switch attaches to servers so you only need one keyboard, mouse and monitor for all servers, just push a button to switch server views!
AP (Access Point) for Wi-Fi
AP (Access Point) for Wi-Fi, connect to managed switch and set QoS (Quality of Service) to control bandwidth useage on the LAN.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
APC makes great UPS rackmount solutions. They are expensive but when the power goes out from a storm or just an outage, it’s nice to know you’re servers are still online and automatically shutting down in a safe manner (If configured)
Administration
Setup VLAN(s) (Virtual Local Area Network) for your personal PC’s, the LAN PC’s and Server’s. This will help split up traffic instead of everything trying to run within the same routing.
Managing Network Traffic and Security is always changing and evolving. My suggestion is to browse the interwebs and YouTube for the most current and up to date information and practices.
Third Party software is normally asking for problems, I’ve decided to stick with Microsoft products as best as I can.
Configuring LAN (Local Area Network / garage) for WAN (Wide Area Network / earth) access to game servers, so players that can’t make it to garage LAN Party can still attend from home or wherever they are in the world.
Static IP from ISP (Internet Service Provider) or Dynamic DNS system (software that runs on a system within your network that turns your dynamic IP to static)
No-IP
DynDNS
!!! Wi-Fi !!!
Turn it off!
Disable the Wi-Fi on the Gateway. Plug an AP (Access Point) into a port on the managed switch to better manage the bandwidth (QoS) for the Wi-Fi to the Garage LAN.
There is nothing like having a LAN Party with 20+ people, who’s phones all connect to the Wi-Fi and demand an update by default to download over Wi-Fi to conserve data downloading fees.