Claude - Upgrading to 10G

ME:

One of the suggestions you made to improve my networking setup was to add a USW-Aggregation as the core switch for my lab and create a 10G trunk to the garage switch (fiber run through the patch panel). I understand using the USW-Aggregation switch for my core switch for my lab but I don’t know how to create the 10G trunk to the garage switch.

CLAUDE:

Great question! The challenge here is that your current garage switch (Ubiquiti US-8) only has 1G ports, so you can’t directly create a 10G trunk to it. Here’s how to establish that 10G connection:

What you need:

  1. Small 10G switch in garage - Options:
    • Another USW-Aggregation (8x 10G ports)
    • USW-Flex-XG (4x 10G ports, smaller/cheaper ~$300)
    • USW-Enterprise-8-PoE (2x 10G + 8x 2.5G PoE)
  2. Fiber transceivers (SFP+ modules):
    • 2x 10GBASE-SR SFP+ modules (~$30-50 each)
    • OR 2x 10GBASE-LR if run is over 300m
  3. Fiber cable:
    • OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber (for runs up to 300m)
    • LC-LC duplex fiber patch cable
    • Length = distance from office to garage + slack

Connection diagram:

Office                     Patch Panel              Garage
USW-Aggregation ←→ [Fiber Patch] ←→ [Fiber Run] ←→ [Fiber Patch] ←→ New 10G Switch
   (SFP+ Port)                                                         (SFP+ Port)
                                                                            ↓
                                                                     Existing US-8

Option 2: Direct 10G to Devices (Limited)

If you only need 10G for specific devices in the garage (like if you move the NAS there):

  • Run fiber to garage
  • Use a 10G SFP+ to RJ45 adapter module (~$60-80)
  • Connect directly to device with 10G port

How to Make the Fiber Connection

Through your patch panel:

  1. Fiber keystone jacks: Install LC duplex fiber keystones in your patch panel
  2. Fiber patch cables: Short LC-LC cables on each end
  3. Main fiber run: Pre-terminated fiber cable between locations

Easier alternative - Direct run:

  • Use a pre-terminated fiber cable the entire length
  • Skip the patch panel for the fiber (run alongside)
  • Simpler but less “clean”

Shopping List for Option 1

  1. USW-Flex-XG (4-port 10G): ~$300
  2. 2x 10GBASE-SR SFP+ modules: ~$80 total
  3. Fiber cable (estimate 50ft run):
    • Pre-terminated OM3 LC-LC: ~$40-60
    • Or fiber keystones + patches: ~$80-100
  4. Total: ~$420-480

Configuration in UniFi

Once connected:

  1. Create Trunk Port Profile:
    • Settings → Profiles → Switch Ports
    • Create new profile, type “Trunk”
    • Select all VLANs you want to pass
  2. Apply to Both Sides:
    • Devices → USW-Aggregation → Ports
    • Select the SFP+ port → Apply trunk profile
    • Repeat for garage switch
  3. Create Aggregate (optional for redundancy):
    • If running multiple fibers
    • Configure LAG for failover/load balancing

Simplified Alternative

If 10G to the garage isn’t critical right now:

  • Keep the existing 1G uplink
  • Focus 10G connections in your office (where the MS-A2s will be)
  • Upgrade garage connection later if needed

Would you like me to detail any specific part of this setup? The fiber run through residential walls can be the trickiest part.

ME:

Most of the devices in the house are using the WiFi including our work laptops so unless adding a 10G switch to the UXG-Lite in replace of the Ubiquiti US-8 is going to improve bandwidth to the lab which will be self-contained using its own VLANs for traffic, I can still with the 1G uplink for now. However, if it’s going to slow down the traffic contained to the home lab which will be using NSX-T for Software Defined networking then I will look into it.

CLAUDE:

You’re absolutely right to think about this strategically! Since your lab will be self-contained with NSX-T handling the SDN, the 1G uplink to the garage will likely be fine for now. Here’s why:

What NEEDS the uplink:

  • Internet access for lab VMs
  • Management access from your laptop (if on WiFi)
  • Communication with any services in the garage (unlikely)

What STAYS LOCAL in your office:

  • East-West traffic between VMs (handled by NSX-T)
  • vMotion traffic (stays on lab VLANs)
  • Storage traffic (NAS is in your office)
  • Pod-to-pod Kubernetes traffic
  • Most NSX-T overlay traffic

When 1G Would Be a Bottleneck

The 1G uplink would only limit you if:

  1. Heavy internet usage from lab - Multiple VMs downloading large datasets simultaneously
  2. Remote management - Large file transfers to/from lab while on WiFi
  3. Backup traffic - If backing up to cloud or remote location
  4. External users - If hosting services accessed from outside

NSX-T Considerations

With NSX-T, your architecture actually REDUCES uplink dependency:

  • Distributed routing - Traffic between segments stays local
  • Edge VMs - Run in your lab, not in garage
  • Overlay networks - Encapsulated traffic stays within the lab
  • Local switching - NSX logical switches handle most traffic

My Recommendation: Stick with 1G for Now ✓

Why:

  1. Lab traffic is 95% local - Between hosts in your office
  2. NSX-T optimizes local traffic - Distributed architecture
  3. 10G where it matters - Between hosts, storage, and lab core
  4. Cost efficiency - Save $400-500 for now

Your optimized setup:

Internet ←→ [Garage: UXG-Lite + US-8] ←1G→ [Office: USW-Aggregation]
                                                      ↓ 10G
                                            [MS-A2] [MS-A2] [MS-A2] [NAS]
                                                   NSX-T Overlay

Upgrade the uplink if you:

  • Start hosting external-facing services
  • Need to backup large datasets to cloud
  • Move the NAS to garage
  • Experience actual bandwidth constraints
  • Want to extend NSX-T edges to garage

For now, invest that $400-500 in:

  • More memory for MS-A2 units (96GB for NSX-T)
  • Better 10G DAC cables for lab
  • Additional SFP+ modules
  • Larger SSD storage

The beauty of your setup is that you can always add the 10G uplink later without disrupting anything. Focus on getting the lab core running at 10G first!

ME:

Create a shopping list for upgrading to 10G in just the lab which will be confined to my office and connected to the US-8-60W UniFi Switch in the garage from the cable running through the house.

CLAUDE:

10G Lab Upgrade Shopping List (Office Only)

Here’s everything you need for a 10G lab infrastructure while maintaining the 1G uplink to your garage:

Core 10G Switch

Ubiquiti USW-Aggregation

  • 8x 10G SFP+ ports, fanless
  • Price: $300-400
  • Where: UI Store, Amazon, B&H

10G Connections Needed

Your port allocation:

  • 3x MS-A2 units (using SFP+ ports)
  • 1x Synology NAS (needs adapter)
  • 1x Future expansion
  • 1x Uplink to garage (1G only)

SFP+ DAC Cables (Direct Attach Copper)

For short runs in your rack - much cheaper than fiber!

10GTek SFP+ DAC Cable Kit

  • 3x 0.5m (1.6ft) cables for MS-A2s: ~$20 each
  • 1x 1m (3.3ft) cable for NAS: ~$22
  • 1x 2m (6.6ft) spare: ~$25
  • Total: ~$107
  • Amazon Link

Alternative: Ubiquiti DAC cables (~$30-40 each, more expensive)

Synology NAS 10G Upgrade

Option 1: Synology E10G18-T1 (Recommended)

  • Single port 10GBase-T adapter
  • Specifically designed for DS918+
  • Price: ~$120-150
  • Requires SFP+ to RJ45 adapter module

Option 2: Generic 10G SFP+ to RJ45 Module

  • 10GTek ASF-10G-T: ~$60-80
  • Plugs into USW-Aggregation
  • Connect NAS via Cat6a cable

For connection to garage US-8-60W:

  • 1x SFP (not SFP+) 1000Base-T module: ~$20-30
  • Uses existing Cat5e/6 run through house
  • FS.com SFP-1000Base-T

Complete Shopping List with Priorities

Essential (Phase 1) - $450-550:

  1. USW-Aggregation: $350
  2. 3x 0.5m DAC cables: $60
  3. 1x 1G SFP module: $25
  4. 1x SFP+ to RJ45 adapter: $65 Subtotal: ~$500

Nice to Have (Phase 2) - $150-200:

  1. Synology E10G18-T1 card: $130
  2. Extra DAC cables: $50
  3. Spare SFP modules: $40

Configuration Example 

USW-Aggregation Port Assignment:
Port 1: MS-A2 #1 (DAC 0.5m)
Port 2: MS-A2 #2 (DAC 0.5m)
Port 3: MS-A2 #3 (DAC 0.5m)
Port 4: Synology NAS (via 10G-T adapter)
Port 5: [Future expansion]
Port 6: [Future expansion]
Port 7: [Future expansion]
Port 8: Uplink to Garage (1G SFP module)

Money-Saving Tips

  1. Start with DAC cables only
    • Skip Synology 10G initially
    • NAS at 1G is often sufficient
    • Save $130-200
  2. Buy generic DAC cables
    • 10GTek, FS.com, or Cable Matters
    • 1/3 the price of Ubiquiti
    • Work perfectly fine
  3. Gradual upgrade path
    • Week 1: Switch + 3 DACs + 1G uplink ($425)
    • Month 2: Add NAS 10G when needed
    • Month 3: Add redundancy/spares

Budget Build (~$425)

  • USW-Aggregation: $350
  • 3x generic 0.5m DAC: $60
  • 1x 1G SFP module: $25
  • Use NAS at 1G initially
  • Total: ~$435

Premium Build (~$750)

  • USW-Aggregation: $350
  • 3x Ubiquiti DAC cables: $105
  • Synology 10G card: $130
  • 1x 10G-T adapter: $80
  • 1x 1G SFP module: $25
  • Spare cables/modules: $60
  • Total: ~$750

Would you like me to find specific vendor links for any of these components?

ME:

Can you find vendor links for Synology 10G card?

CLAUDE:

I’ll find vendor links for the Synology 10G card compatible with your DS918+ NAS.## Synology E10G18-T1 10G Network Card - Vendor Links

Here are the best places to purchase the Synology E10G18-T1 for your DS918+:

Primary Vendors with Pricing

1. Amazon - IN STOCK ✓

  • Price: Check current pricing (varies)
  • Link: Amazon - Synology E10G18-T1
  • Benefits: Fast shipping, easy returns
  • User feedback: “Plug and play with DS1821+”, “Works perfectly with DS1617”

2. B&H Photo - IN STOCK ✓

  • Price: Check current pricing
  • Link: B&H Photo - Synology E10G18-T1
  • Benefits: No tax in many states with Payboo card
  • Warranty: 5-year manufacturer warranty confirmed

3. Newegg

4. CDW (Business Account)

Key Features Confirmed

  • Single-port, high-speed 10GBASE-T/NBASE-T add-in card
  • Auto-negotiation between 10Gbps, 5Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 1Gbps, and 100Mbps
  • 5 year limited warranty
  • RJ-45 connector (standard Ethernet)
  • PCIe 3.0 x4 interface

Important Compatibility Notes

DS918+ Confirmed Compatible ✓

  • Multiple users report successful installation
  • Plug-and-play with DSM (no driver needed)
  • “Installation was straightforward, and the NAS recognized the card immediately—no extra setup needed”

Cable Requirements

  • Use Cat6a or Cat6e cables for 10G speeds
  • Cat6 limited to shorter distances at 10G
  • “Cat6a is capable of 10GbE speeds at short distances. Cat6e is for longer runs of cable”

Alternative if Price is Too High

Since this card uses 10GBASE-T (RJ45) but your USW-Aggregation has SFP+ ports, you’ll need:

Option 1: E10G18-T1 + SFP+ to RJ45 adapter module (~$60-80) Option 2: Skip the Synology card and just use a 10G SFP+ to RJ45 module directly in the switch

The adapter-only approach saves ~$50-70 but means the NAS stays at 1G internally. The Synology card gives you true 10G at the NAS level.

My Recommendation

Start with Amazon or B&H Photo - both have good return policies if you have any compatibility issues. The card should work perfectly with your DS918+, and the 5-year warranty provides peace of mind for the higher price compared to generic cards.

This project is for educational and home lab purposes.