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Alright, before I completely redo the entire home network I have setup, I have a quick question regarding some of the actual hardware.
I have a Comcast modem, Linksys Wireless-G router, 8-port and 5-port switches, and enough cable to to cross the Pacific.
I'm preparing to order a third switch, my question is--do I need it?
The router is currently sitting next to the modem, but it's in the basement and everyone is complaining about their wireless signal. It's always been pretty poor in the basement. Even a mere 15 feet from the router the next floor up, I get (almost) no signal. So, I figure move it to the first story, get the signal some unimpeded access to where it's needed most.
My crappy drawing of my network. I'm wondering if I can connect the switches together like that. They are really cheap 5-port or 8-port switches. They cost me less than $20 a piece.
Alternatively, I have another question. Is it possible to connect modem directly to switch 2, and bypass Router all together? Will the router still correctly assign IP address to all devices connected to Switch 2 even though it's going through the switch before it hits the modem? I can draw that too if need be.
You can connect 10/100 switches like that. Having home runs back to a single switch is preferred, but that'll work.
Your modem needs a direct connection to the WAN port of the router. Your PCs need to get their IP addresses from the DHCP server on the LAN side of the router. If you connected the cable modem to switch 2, a PC could get a public IP address from Comcast (getting it online) and the rest would get private IP addresses from the router, but the router wouldn't have an Internet connection.
You can connect 10/100 switches like that. Having home runs back to a single switch is preferred, but that'll work.
Your modem needs a direct connection to the WAN port of the router. Your PCs need to get their IP addresses from the DHCP server on the LAN side of the router. If you connected the cable modem to switch 2, a PC could get a public IP address from Comcast (getting it online) and the rest would get private IP addresses from the router, but the router wouldn't have an Internet connection.
I suspected everything you say, but before I started ripping open the floors and walls to run cables (well, just drilling holes really), I'd figured I would get a second opinion. Switch 2 is actually a Gigabit switch, as is the router, but nothing I have is going to be touching that speed anyway. Might as well have the bandwidth available for the future. The router is going in a semi-public place, and I want to cut down on the number of cables visible. Running them all through a single switch is the cleanest way to do it, if not the most efficient.
Really, you've got enough going on there to where you should probably just buy 1 24 or 48 port gigswitch and wire up your house properly. And your WAP should be high, not low. THere's a reason why businesses always have their WAP's on the ceilings or on a ledge above eye level.
As to your question about chucking the router entirely - absolutely, so long as you get a layer 3 switch. Personally, I'm a fan of the Cisco 3750, and that's one of the devices I use in my home. I also use Aironet 1250's for my WAP's. Overkill, but I get plenty of range and never have to worry about electromagnetic interference.
You can connect 10/100 switches like that. Having home runs back to a single switch is preferred, but that'll work.
Your modem needs a direct connection to the WAN port of the router. Your PCs need to get their IP addresses from the DHCP server on the LAN side of the router. If you connected the cable modem to switch 2, a PC could get a public IP address from Comcast (getting it online) and the rest would get private IP addresses from the router, but the router wouldn't have an Internet connection.
This pretty much covers it. You need your router for the reasons EscapeCalifornia mentioned. There are alternatives, but you would have to get new hardware or software solutions that are overkill for your home usage (based on your diagram).
I think you should consider running cables from a single switch (or multiple switches next to eachother, so you can upgrade to a single switch at a later time). In the future, you might need to go above the bandwidth limitations of your proposed setup.
^^ what they said. If you can run 1 cable, you can run more. So your best bet is to run the cables so they all terminate into a single location (or as few locations as possible).
And I'm guessing your router (with NAT) is also your firewall and DHCP server - you definitely want to put that inline behind your cable modem.
lol. Please tell the homeowner what the cisco 3750 sells for.
And while you can do routing on a capable switch yes, thats not what you want. Just leave the little cheapie router to do its job. If you want to move its location upstairs, just run the appropriate wire so the modem still has a run straight to it, if you cant move the modem. What someone else recommended by adding another access point, is your best bet. Just leave everything as it is, and add another access point closer in the house to where your clients are. Just needs to be an access point, not a router/wireless access point, tho some will do both roles. I dont think you need another switch but it depends on the port requirements, and how many ports you want in what location. IE, if you want 4 ports on the second story of your house, a soho switch may make more sense than running 4 runs upstairs. Depends of coure if you are doing them yourself (which you are) or paying someone to do them for you, amount of wire you want to deal with, etc. Having less equipment, in one location, is preferable, to me. But the wifi just may have to be upstairs.
Last edited by gbugmiami; 02-10-2011 at 09:04 PM..
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