Help me set up my network/equipment

[bucwylde23]

It's actually a small house and a coffee shop/cafe is being set up in it.

I already have each room wired with ethernet ports, 2 to each room. The cables all run into the corner of the bathroom into a patch panel. There are 13 ports wired up but I don't think I will need to use them all. I will also be setting up wireless for customers to use.

Here is a picture of the area:
PIC

Here is what I planned on doing:

I may only need 3-4 of the ports active. I thought about just buying a linksys (or whatever brand) router and setting that up at the patch panel and connecting the 4 ports that I need.

In one room there may be 4 wired computers. I thought about connecting a second router to the one active port in that room, and splitting the connection to the 4 computers. This router would also be wireless, thus giving me the wireless connectivity that I wanted.

How does this plan sound?

One last question, are regular ethernet cables required for connecting the router to the panel? or would crossover cables be required? thanks.

My only problem is, upstairs will actually be my residence. Is there any way to use that internet for my own personal use securely? Or should I buy a totally separate connection for that?

Thanks!!

 

[JackMDS]

You much better off getting a second connetion.

Otherwise you can use a variation of this, http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html

Add to it and Internet Cafe Software (MSN/Google fot it) to control logons.

:sun:

 

[bucwylde23]

added a picture of the area.

 

[bucwylde23]

Ok so I am going to go with a second connection for my personal use.

Would it get the job done to buy a couple of linksys routers?

 

[azev]

If you just want to get the job done, yes linksys will definately do. If I were you though, since this is for business, I would invest on a used cisco switch (2950) and use that as the switch. You can enable and disable ports on this switch so you dont have to go to the patch panel and add/remove cable when ports need to be hot or shutdown. All can be done via telnet. I also get a use cisco AP, you can make this ap do so many things.

Goodluck with the business

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: azev
If you just want to get the job done, yes linksys will definately do. If I were you though, since this is for business, I would invest on a used cisco switch (2950) and use that as the switch. You can enable and disable ports on this switch so you dont have to go to the patch panel and add/remove cable when ports need to be hot or shutdown. All can be done via telnet. I also get a use cisco AP, you can make this ap do so many things.

Goodluck with the business

Thanks for the input..

I'll have to look into the price on used switches/AP's. I was mainly going for the basic linksys products as something to start with and later on everything can be upgraded as necessary. But I will look into your suggestions to get an idea of price,and if it isn't too bad then it may just be worth the investment.