Your home lab’s networking setup is the backbone of everything else in your space. However, making common mistakes can significantly impact performance and lead to frustration. Here are five critical errors to watch out for and how to fix them.
Firstly, don’t wire everything directly into a consumer router. This can cause congestion and slow down your server or virtual machines. Instead, invest in a managed switch and plug all devices into it. This will give you control over traffic flow and ensure faster performance.
Secondly, not using VLANs to segment certain devices can lead to performance issues, especially with smart home gear. Segmenting off IoT devices to their own network makes troubleshooting easier and reduces broadcast and multicast traffic.
Thirdly, using unmanaged switches in critical spots can result in loss of visibility into link health and speed negotiation. Use managed switches for all critical components to maintain control over your network.
Fourthly, leaving everything on auto-negotiation can cause links to slow down or become half-duplex. Check the link status and test with a different cable if possible.
Lastly, overusing Wi-Fi can lead to inconsistent latency, intermittent dropouts, and unpredictable throughput. Prioritize wired connections for high-priority services and limit Wi-Fi use to devices without Ethernet ports.
By fixing these common mistakes, you’ll be able to optimize your home lab’s networking performance and enjoy a smoother setup.
Source: https://www.xda-developers.com/5-home-lab-network-mistakes-that-kill-your-performance-and-how-to-fix-them