Home Network - Switch/Cable/Configuration questions

[mcaren]

Our house currently has a wireless network [cable internet] (older model linksys wrt54g i think -- running tomato) -- and we've usually got anywhere from 5-7 computers connected at any given time (running Win 7, Vista, XP, OSX, various Linux flavors). Plus a few TV devices. We're going to hire someone to add ethernet jacks in about 6 rooms. We definitely want wired network access as well as wireless.

The person we hired has installed cable & ethernet jacks before, but network configuration is not his specialty. I'm trying to research this -- I have an idea of how we should do this, but am not sure I'm naming the parts correctly or if there are any OS issues or other issues I've missed.

From what I've read so far, it sounds like I want a network switch connected to a wired router connected to the cable modem. From there I'm a bit confused...

1. If the above setup is correct (switch to wired router to modem), can I then plug a wireless router into any jack (and would it then be set up as an access point?)?
2. When shopping for network switches I see "managed vs. unmanaged" and "jumbo frames" mentioned -- which would I want?
3. Would I want Cat6 cable from the switch to the walls (and are the jacks configured for Cat6 specifically) and can I still plug in Cat5 cable as well?
4. Are there OS restrictions when it comes to selecting hardware or network configurations?

Thanks very much for your advice. mcaren

 

[JackMDS]

1. If the above setup is correct (switch to wired router to modem), can I then plug a wireless router into any jack (and would it then be set up as an access point?)?

Yes you can, provided that it is Not configured as a second Router but like this.
Using a Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

2. When shopping for network switches I see "managed vs. unmanaged" and "jumbo frames" mentioned -- which would I want?

I do not thing that you need a manage switch.

One of these would be very good.

TrendNet Giga Switch with Jumbo frames -

8 Ports - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156251

5 Ports - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156250

3. Would I want Cat6 cable from the switch to the walls (and are the jacks configured for Cat6 specifically) and can I still plug in Cat5 cable as well?

CAT 6 is functionally compatible with CAT5e even if in the wall there is CAT5e you can use CAT6 too.

4. Are there OS restrictions when it comes to selecting hardware or network configurations?

Almost all consumers' Network hardware is compatible with Windows and Linux.



😎

 

[tomt4535]

1. Yes, that will work. Just turn off DHCP on the wireless router and plug the cable into one of the LAN ports on the wireless router. Don't use the WAN port.

2. You would want an unmanaged switch. Managed switches usually are more expensive, require configuration and have much more features the average user will probably never use on a home network. Save money and time and just get a decent unmanaged switch. Jumbo frames are good. Look for a switch with more ports than you think you need. If each of the 5-7 computers you wish to connect are going to be wired, you are going to fill up an 8 port switch.

3. Cat6 is good. If you run Cat6 cable, the jacks have to be Cat6 as well. Any good installer should know that and put in the correct jacks accordingly. You can use Cat5e patch cables, it will work, but its not to spec. Patch cables are cheap though so it's a good idea to get new ones.

4. Just make sure your OS supports whatever NIC you have in the computer, other than that, the switches/routers don't affect the OS

You should check out this site:

http://www.ezlan.net/index.html

There is tons of information there that should help you answer any more questions you have about networking.

 

[mcaren]

Thank you both very much for your quick replies. I'll pass this info on to our installer. mcaren

 

[beginner99]

Doesn't the switch need as many ports as there are "jacks" in the house/apartment?

Let's say we have 4 bedrooms, living room, kitchen. Each room has 1 ethernet jack. Then the switch must have 6 ports at least or not all rooms can be connected to the network.

If you only have like 3 rooms, a 4 port switch would probably be enough unless you connect more than 1 pc directly to the switch.

If you have 10 rooms you would need a 10 port switch at least to serve all the rooms.

Or am i wrong?

 

[imagoon]

Doesn't the switch need as many ports as there are "jacks" in the house/apartment?

You only need as many switch ports as you are using. Many people run many more drops than they use to save on labor lately. So in 4 rooms with 4 drops (16 total wires) might only have 6 of them plugged in so you only need 6 ports. Obviously as you need more you need more ports.