Which router/switch?

[neonplanet40]

Hey guys

Im setting up a server at home for all computers to connect into. I would like an adsl router with built in 1GB switch (think ive got that right). What are the best ones available at the minute? Min of 4 ports if possible 5-6.

Thanks guys

Mark

[Splash]

Most of the ADSL routers come with 100Mb switches - if you really need gigabit I would suggest you pick up a router and hang a small gigabit switch off it.

In terms of the kit it really depends on what your priorities and budget are.

[neonplanet40]

Netgear DG834N 270Mbps RangeMax NEXT Wireless ADSL2+ Modem/Router

Amazon.co.uk: D-Link DIR-655 Wireless N Gigabit Router, 300Mbps, Vista compatible, 10/100/1000Mbps 4-port switch, WAN port, firewall & content filtering, Wireless LAN: Electronics & Photo

I have seen them two which seem ok. But getting mixed reviews about them. I wont be getting them for another two weeks anyway. Just not sure what to go for Want to speed up access to my home server as well as faster file transfers.

Mark

[Splash]

Do you need wireless? Without putting a downer on things I'd be interested as to the stability of both of those when under high LAN load (obviously the gigabit transfers are only going to be across the switch!).

My personal setup is a Draytek Vigor 2800, with a Netgear 16 port gigabit switch hanging off one port, which links pretty much all my network together - the throughput is fine on that, however before that my setup was a Netgear DG834GT performing both switching, routing and modem capabilities, and the LAN throughput was... very poor. Obviously my setup is going to set you back a lot more than the all in ones you linked above, but in my experience you generally get what you pay for.

[neonplanet40]

How much would that cost Splash? I didnt know that when using both the setup would be affected. I do need wireless for one of my rooms unfortunatly. Preferably Draft N.

[Splash]

Well... a Vigor 2800 will set you back more than either of those, and that's without wireless. A 2800G will set you back around £150, but you really do get what you pay for (search this forum for draytek vigor to get an idea - their support is nigh on legendary). Add in a small 8 port gigabit switch and the necessary cables and you're probably looking at what will seem a small fortune...

Seperates may well be overkill for you, I just wanted to pass on my experiences.

[peterb]

You can get a 5 port Gigabit switch for around £30...

Buy Netgear GS105 Switch GS105 from CCL - Online Retailer of the Year 2007

(the plastic case version is a bit cheaper

Buy Netgear GS605 Switch GS605 from CCL - Online Retailer of the Year 2007

You might find it cheaper if you shop around (Ebyer)

Ebuyer - Cheap Computers, Laptops, Digital Cameras, TVs & more!
Ebuyer - Cheap Computers, Laptops, Digital Cameras, TVs & more!

[neonplanet40]

Cheers for the help guys. reason why i was looking for an all in one was becuase i thought it would be easier to set up giving that i am a noob

Thanks

Mark

[neonplanet40]

Ok guys its been a while but ordering stuff this week. Im going to keep my netgear router which i have currently to handle adsl internet. How what i have to ask is if i get this switch Komplett.co.uk - D-Link DGS-1008D 8-port Switch 10/100/1000Mpbs Gigabit Copper GREEN (D-Link DGS-1008D) and a lot of cat leads will it work fine with my netgear router? Also is this d-link one any good? I have never bought a switch or a d-link product before. But £40 is a good price i think.

I currently get speeds of 10-11mb per sec to my WHS from the netgear which is 100mb (still dont get this whole 100mb network yet you only get 10....)

so through this switch will i see a dramatic improvement?

Thanks again guys for your help

Mark

[peterb]

Not used the D link - I use the netgear 5 port (I think I linked to it in an earlier post) but they do an 8 port as well.

FWIW - I have two 5 port gigabyte switches r (one upstairs, one downstairs) linked tgether with Cat 5e cable (previously used for 100Mb/s) The computers with 1Gb/s cards hang off those switches - including (obviously!) the fileserver. A link from each Gb switch goes to the old 8 port 100Mb switches and that connects to slower devices such as printers, VoiP devices. Finally another link from one of the Gb switches goes to the 100Mb switch on the router (Draytek 2800VG) - that also feeds some slower devices.

The idea is that there is an inner high speed ring for file transfer, linked to a slower (in relative terms) to slower peripherals and the ADSL link, which is slowest of all. However that was just to re-use the 100Mb swqitches I already had. If I had been setting up from scratch, I would have got 2 8 port or maybe an 8 and 16 (considerably more expensive)

Cat5e works fine - if you are terminating it yourself in RJ45 sockets, pay attention to how much you untwist the cable pairs, and try to ensure you don't distort or unduly crush the cable during installation. The longest cable run on my set up (from upstairs to downstairs via the attic) is about 12 metres whicgh is well within spec - and it just worked.

[neonplanet40]

Ok guys got the 8 port gigabyte d-link switch.

What way do i connect these up? I have the netgear adsl router, dlink switch and then 2 computers a server and a laptop.

How do i make sure they all recieve internet?

[peterb]

If you are using the Netgear router as a DHCP server, configure it appropriately and then just plug the router into one port on the switch, and the computers into the other ports. If you are using windows, set up networking so that it obtains its IP address from the the DHCP server (built into the Netgear) The Netgear manual will tell you how if you are uncertain.

You will probably use the Netgear router as a DNS relay, so the windows machines will do their DNS resolution from the Netgear as well, so no need to configure that in the Windows networking set up.

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for the reply peter. How do i set it up as a dhcp server? I dont have my manual anymore...Its a NetgearDG834Gv3

Thanks for your help again. Cause im a noob with networking etc

[merple]

You can get a pdf of the manual here

There should be a checkbox for "Use router as DHCP server" under LAN IP Setup. Should be checked by default but if it isnt just check it and put in what IP range you want it to dish out.

[neonplanet40]

Thanks very much

Does that mean that i have to then give each computer a static ip address and then run windows network wizard or similar?

[merple]

DHCP will automatically assign IP addresses to machines.
If you dont need anything to have a specific IP then you dont need to set static ones, just set the computers to get ip address automatically in the tcp/ip settings and it should be good.