Home Network Physical Layout

[bullbearish]

I'm taking an old build and installing WHS 2011 on it. I've got most of my parts list (things that go in the PC case, anyway), but I also assume that I'll need something like D-Link DGS-1005G 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switchto distribute connections to my desktop, laptop, and gaming machine. Is this the correct type of device and do any of you experienced folks have any specific recommendations?

 

[JackMDS]

If your Router's switch part can not be used for this purpose you need an additional switch to provide more ports.

 

[bullbearish]

If your Router's switch part can not be used for this purpose you need an additional switch to provide more ports.

As of now, my cable modem and my router are one in the same. I'd like to leave it that way so that I don't have to give guests with laptops or other devices access to my server network. I can give them connectivity outside of my server network.

 

[qft]

It's fine to have your cablemodem/router be the same thing. Those combo devices usually have a 4-port switch built into the back of them.

Personally, I'd get a gigabit switch. Plug all of your computers into the switch, then run one cable from a port on the switch to your router. That way, transfers between the computers are superfuckingfast. The switch is way faster than the internet connection speed, so the fact that the devices are all sharing "one" connection to the router via the switch isn't a bottleneck.

In short it sounds like you're doing it right.