Best Networking for our home situation

[KeithF1138]

We use Cable for high speed internet. The connection comes into the basement where there is a panel for connections, etc. I am upgrading the network solution and want to simplify/improve.

We use OOMA for Phone
Couple of Xbox 360s most hard wired in the house
Number of wireless devices/printers/Wii/etc.
Couple of hard wired PCs in the house
Couple of hard wired DVRs in the house
TV hard wired in the house

Currently Cable comes in to a Cable Modem which then connects to a Netgear WNR834Bv2 Wireless Router (which isnt being used for wireless connections) for DHCP for the Network.

OOMA device and Netgear GS116 16 port gigabit switch connected to router.


Connected to the GS116 are:

• Windows Home Server
• Cisco WRT400N on 2nd floor is main wireless for the house.
• Wireless Router on 1st floor in AP mode in Entertainment Center, but wireless connection only used for a Wii. An Xbox 360, TV, DVR and BlueRay player all hardwired to this Router. It is little cheap D-Link device.

At some spots in the house the wireless can be spotty. Also the WRT400N needs to be powercycled to often.

So this is what I am thinking about ordering
TRENDNET TEG-S16DG 16-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
TRENDNET TEG-S50G 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Linksys E4200 Wireless Router

Want to put the E4200 as the main Wireless in the basement and connect to Cable Modem.
OOMA device and 16 port switch connect to E4200
Windows Home Server connected directly to switch
5 port switch in the entertainment center for those devices (forget the Wii it is just a dust collector) connected to 16 port switch.
Other hardwired devices connected to switch through patch panel.
Remove the other wireless routers in the house.

Want the Xbox 360s to have no problem seeing each other no matter if they are wired, unwired, plugged into different switches.

I have had spotty coverage in the past with Wireless Routers in the basement. Think the last time I tried to use a Wireless Router in the basement it was a Wireless G router. If I need it elsewhere then wiring is a hassle because the E4200 needs to be between the Cable Modem and the Switch.

Thoughts?

 

[JackMDS]

There is No good solution to Wireless in the basement (and there is not going to be one even with the advance of the hardware).

Wireless (Access Point) should be installed in a central unobstructed spot in a clear good location at the first floor.

Lay a cable to such spot and connect the Wireless Router configured as an Access Point at that spot.

 

[KeithF1138]

What do you suggest I use for DHCP server? Should I continue with the old Netgear wireless router I have and put the E4200 somewhere central in the house? Or is there a dedicated DHCP appliance I should use?

 

[JackMDS]

If the Netgear is functioning OK leave it as is and add the Wireless Router as an Accees Point.

Here how, http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

 

[VirtualLarry]

One option is a DD-WRT/WDS network. It requires several wireless routers running DD-WRT firmware, configured as WDS nodes. One of them would be the "main" router, connected to the cablemodem, and the other devices would be placed where you can get signal, and where you need to provide a wired connection.

 

[fteoath64]

If you still want to maintain 2 wireless points, you might want to tune the channels to set them "as far apart as possible", then step closer as you check the coverage area. Wifi frequencies in some areas are very "dirty" meaning plenty of interference from home, military and utility sources that might make certain channels not as usable as they should be. Even some neighboring routers of certain brands could "rain"on your coverage area. So it pays to check with an iPhone wifi reader app. Or one from Android market.