Configuration of Switch with Integration of NAS within Group of Computers

Jul 6, 2018
1
0
10
This year, I was tasked with integrating a NAS into our school’s Yearbook Program with minimal disruption in connection to the internet from the computers within the Yearbook Room and limiting the exposure of the NAS to the rest of the network. The task also came with the requirement that I don’t disrupt the current infrastructure of the networking equipment within the room. Currently, the extent of that is an RJ-45 Ethernet Cable connecting directly into the backs of the computers that line the wall. (So around 25-30 Ethernet Cables connecting the Desktops to a Patch Panel)

So my original plan was to build the NAS from the ground up with FreeNAS and a 4-port NIC to allow for Link Aggression, hopefully increasing the throughput to the NAS with multiple users editing photos, copying photos, or transferring the photos at the same time. The 4 port NIC would be paired with a 16 port switch of some sort to allocate a new ethernet connection to each computer, and connect those connections with a Ethernet-to-USB 3.0. Due to our school picking low-cost “workstations” builds for each computer in this district, they only come with one ethernet input. (The Dell Optiplex 3050 Mini)

My issue comes in as I began to plan the configuration of the Switch within the network. My understanding of switches is a bit shakey, so I don’t exactly know the best way to go about this. Most people recommended using the Switch within the network itself, cutting the USB Adapter (I’ve found that it seems that can be a possible bottleneck) and running the network through the back LAN port (The one designated for Internet Access.) Though this brings up my idea of two possible issues:

1. Will that cause slow speeds among the computers setup to the switch? I imagine the switch would be a bottleneck if 10 computers were all connecting to the internet through 1 single Gigabit Ethernet Cable

2. Will connecting the NAS onto the switch make it exposed to the rest of the network if it’s plugged into an incoming network cable?

So that was a possible solution that I was unsure on. So I went back to my original plan of connecting them through USB, disregarding the whole possible bottleneck thing. The main issue with that is that I would be unsure how to wire it. Would I just wire it up without a connection in the back that would be normally occupied by the Internet Network Connection?

So I’m unsure what to do that would be best for network performance and not expose the NAS to the rest of the network. If someone could help me understand what would be best, that would be amazing. Thank you!
 
Solution
A NAS being available on the network is normal.
What you need to investigate is permissions within that NAS.

Some things should be available to only some users.
Other things might need to be available to all.
Trying to add two nics to the desktops isn't going to work well. the computers and the NAS will need to be on the same network. if they need internet it needs to be in the main network. you don't want the nas broadcasting for discovery if you are worried about it using the network. you will need to add the share into each pc. you can cascade the switches if the school won't help you put a lacp on their switch.