Gigabit Switch/Router Combo vs Separate Devices?

[88keys]

going to be expanding my gigabit network soon and this will require a minimum of 4 extra gigabit ports. I know that 4 port gigabit switches are pretty cheap, but my Buffalo router is getting old at seven years in use so perhaps it's time to upgrade. This brings me to the question; would there be any noticeable reduction in network performance using a router Gigabit switch combo verses using separate devices?

 

[ggadrian]

going to be expanding my gigabit network soon and this will require a minimum of 4 extra gigabit ports. I know that 4 port gigabit switches are pretty cheap, but my Buffalo router is getting old at seven years in use so perhaps it's time to upgrade. This brings me to the question; would there be any noticeable reduction in network performance using a router Gigabit switch combo verses using separate devices?

If both are 1Gbps switches you're not going to notice any difference.

But what are you planning to do? Buy a router with 8 ports?

If the router still does what you need it to do stick with it and buy a cheap switch. I bought a TP-Link 4 ports gigabit and it works very well for 13€.

 

[JackMDS]

Wireless Routers with more than 4 switch ports are disproportionally expensive as oppose to buying a separate switch.

Network wise there is No advantage in having all the ports on the Router.

It is like paying too much more in order to avoid a secondary plastic box (the switch) that can be placed somewhere hidden, and use one big box (a Wireless Router 8 or more ports) with tones of cables connected to it that can Not be placed unnoticed because it also the Wireless AP.

So what should I get?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156449

 

[ch33zw1z]

Just get the 8 port one that JackMDS linked to, then upgrade the router when you're ready.

A modern day gigabit router will keep up with your gigabit network....it's things like torrents pounding the WAN that's going to overwhelm a router...

 

[88keys]

The thing is that I have the entire upstairs of my house networked, but nothing downstairs. However an easy fix for me would be to use the Cat 5e that is currently being used as Cat3 (for landline phones) to give myself a network port downstairs in the kitchen, and since I really don't feel like fishing a bunch of wires through the 1st and second floor, a 4 or 8 port network switch would be an easy solution. The jack that is in the kitchen is on the other side of closet that happens to border the livingroom which is where I need my network. So it would literally as simple as blanking that plate out, then drilling a hole in the other side inside the closet where I can connect my network switch, from there I can run 4 Cat 5e cables to the closet wall adjacent to the living room and install my junction box with network ports.
So as you can see, this is much easier than drilling a bunch of holes and fishing wires through drywall and all that crap. Plus, once it's done, it will look nice and neat just as if you had taken the time to all that crap.


Although I don't use uTorrent as heavily as before, the reason I want to do this is mainly so I put my PS3 back on gigabit so I can stream HD videos again, and since I'm in the process of converting my NAS to a mATX (from ITX) running Ubuntu I'd like that to be downstairs where it has more space and can access the network (which will be in the downstairs closet mentioned earlier). My current NAS will be converted to a media streamer which will use the 3rd port and leave me one to spare.

 

[smitbret]

Just got one of these off the FedEx truck today:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007KZQMO6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1389755108&sr=8-1

Dual-band wireless N and 7 x Gigabit LAN ports. Hooked it up and set my DHCP reservations in about 30 minutes. Works great so far. I'm not using the wireless, though.

WD exited the router market recently, though, so support could be an issue.

 

[fjmeat]

i have this one http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=105&cp_id=10521&cs_id=1052104&p_id=7857&seq=1&format=2

 

[88keys]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/airstati...itch&cp=2&lp=3

I really like this one. Not exactly the cheapest N router around and it's only 300mbps, but I really like Buffalo and I wish stores would carry their products in house over the usual Belkin/Stinksys crap. My current router is a Buffalo that has been running DD-WRT for 7 years. This one is also said to come with a Buffalo branded version of DD-WRT which I'm interested in trying.

Looked at some AC routers, but decided that the better quality ones were just too expensive. I don't honestly know how true their claims are in regards to achieving speeds comparable to a gigabit wired network, but I would have to presume that is only true under optimal conditions, and you would probably have to spend more money on a better quality router/AP along with better quality 802.11AC adapters (which seem to start at around $50/each.), and very possibly a repeater.

And my phone does't need Wireless AC, my consoles don't support it, and I have a $30 gigabit express card for my laptop for the occasion when I need to transfer large files.