• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

House of 25 people, internet setup?

B

bigben2wardpitt

Senior member
Right now, I am looking at getting our local cable internet at 50 MBPS up speed modem set up in my fraternity house of 25 people. That will of course have 4 ports on the back of its modem.

My question now is, should I plug a router into each one of those ports and put them around the house, and have different people around the house connect to different ones? Because I think one router for 25-30 people could really start to bog the network down. Not to mention, the range can become an issue in this big of a house. It did at our older house. But i am told that having this many routers in that kind of setup could cause some bandwidth problems.

It's also been recommended to me to get a "switch", and to plug the switch into the ports in the back of the modem, but that seems to be for someone who wants to get direct lines to every room in the house, which we could do, but our house was built in two stages, is fairly old, and the logistics of having a line to each room, and the costs and time to do so just might be too much for us.

Or maybe what I should be doing is plug one switch into the modem, and then plug a router or two into the switch? Would that avoid any bandwidth issues?

Any recommendations or help with this would be greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Budget and intended use would go a long ways to helping. Existing category 5+ cabling in place? You trying to do this all wirelessly (performance will suck)?

Site unseen, I'd use a bunch of dual band routers configured as access points but disabled the 2.4Ghz band depending on what the clients support, you want to use 5Ghz band (802.11a/n). Wire these directly back to a single switch and then the switch into a router capable of handling that traffic and number of clients. 5 grand for something acceptible, 2k for the super cheap end.

2.4 Ghz just isn't going to be able to use your internet service. Ideal of course is to wire everything and use wireless for strictly mobility and not main connection. Wireless was never meant to replace wired. It's application is strictly for clients that need to constantly move or be mobile. A frat isn't such an application. Once they realize how bad wireless is, they'll plug in.
 
Last edited:
running wires properly can be a pita in old houses.

i would put wireless throughout the house and just wired to a couple spots (like a big tv in the family room for streaming entertainment). and limit each persons connection to 5mps... thats all they need for basic stuff and itll leave you a fighting chance of sharing bandwidth gracefully.
 
Well, as far as topology goes, you want a router directly connected to the cablemodem, because, chances are, you only get a single IP address assigned from the cable company, and a router is necessary to share that IP amongst other computers. From that router, you can attach a switch, if necessary, if you need more wired ports. You can also attach additional routers, using their LAN ports, to the switch, to use as wireless access points, but you MUST disable DHCP on them. You only want your "main" router to hand out local LAN IPs.

Unless you are going to wire up the house, I would re-think the idea of getting 50Mbit/sec service. You won't be able to realize all of that bandwidth over wireless, at least I have my strong doubts about that.

If you are going wireless, then I would get three N routers (besides the main router), and configure them as access points. Set them to channels 1,6, and 11, 20Mhz channel width. Assign them different SSIDs. Then segregate your wireless users into three groups, and assign them to those SSIDs. That way, you make maximal use of the radio spectrum, and don't have all 25 users crowded onto one wireless AP, in one wireless channel. That would at least give you a fighting chance of using 50Mbit/sec of bandwidth.

However, if you have neighboring wireless networks, this may not be a feasable idea.

Dual-band/dual-radio routers might be better, because the 5GHz band may not be as crowded.

Have you considered powerline-based networking? Depending on the AC wiring in the house, that might be more feasable than wireless. Or you could set up several powerline modules, and then connect a wireless access-point to each of them, in different rooms/areas of the house, to further distribute the wireless so everyone could get signal.
 
Last edited:
Indeed, planning is going to be crucial no matter which route you take. MAC address filtering would be one way to load-balance the routers. It would be a pain and would have to be done every year/semester but it is an option. I would also suggest at least 3 wireless routers if you choose that route. A maximum of 10 people on each router shouldn't be too bad. Each option is going to have its pluses and minuses but proper planning and forethought will go a long way in minimizing the minuses.
 
Last edited:
thanks for the responses everyone.

if I wanted to have someone come look at the house to see if they could wire it, who would I call? What are those specialists called?
 
Last edited:
I would just google network installation and whatever area you live in. You may be able to get them to consult for a nominal fee(though significantly less than having them do it). Or place a flyer near the CS/IT/EE dept and have one (or several) of them help.
 
bad_monkey said:
I would just google network installation and whatever area you live in. You may be able to get them to consult for a nominal fee(though significantly less than having them do it). Or place a flyer near the CS/IT/EE dept and have one (or several) of them help.
Click to expand...

Well, for wiring to three floors and about 25 rooms... any estimates on what that might cost me? I called a place today, going to try a few other places tomorrow.

bad_monkey, Looks like you live in KC. Do you know anyone personally that does it (I go to Mizzou)?
 
Costs could vary all over the place. I had one office that seemed easy until they told me they had solid concrete walls and ceilings.
 
I wired up a 20 work station at a office Had a Netgear Pro VPN 8 port the went into a netgear 24-port switch right into the work stations. Some of the lines are over 60 feet and also have a Wifi with a stick at the end they never had any problems.
 
I don't know anyone in Columbia that does that kind of stuff. Who is your service provider? Are you going with a enterprise/business class service? Either way, you may be able to get your ISP to assist somewhat as well.
 
bigben2wardpitt said:
Well, for wiring to three floors and about 25 rooms... any estimates on what that might cost me? I called a place today, going to try a few other places tomorrow.

bad_monkey, Looks like you live in KC. Do you know anyone personally that does it (I go to Mizzou)?
Click to expand...
best case cabling scenario, 1 drop per room with patch panel? looking at $125 per drop on the cheap side, so > $3000. again, very rough...
 
Modelworks said:
Open Mesh. I was not a big fan of wireless except for use in point to point until I came across open mesh. Really easy to set up and low cost. You just plug them in around the space where they cover it best and because they are low cost you can use a lot of them to cover even the hardest to cover spaces. No configuration issues either.
http://www.open-mesh.com/index.php/professional-mesh/professional-mini-router-us-plugs.html
Click to expand...

Does that have dual radios, one for clients, and one for mesh/backhaul? It doesn't look that way to me. Seems like a waste of money therefore.
 
bigben2wardpitt said:
thanks for the responses everyone.

if I wanted to have someone come look at the house to see if they could wire it, who would I call? What are those specialists called?
Click to expand...

Many electrical unions can send you in the right direction if you cant find a dedicated network installer. Your mileage may vary though, ive seen the IBEW do great work and then ive seen guys that should stick to high voltage, because link light != working correctly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top