Need a switch, Gig-E make sense if router is 100MB?

[theanimala]

My home network has lots and lots of devices connected to my Verizon FIOS router (10/100 and 802.11 B/G) with nearly no problems. All 4 of my wired ports are taken up. I have a PS3 and iMac (both of which have Gig-E ports) connected wirelessly but streaming from the iMac to the PS3 has occasional drop outs. I was thinking of connecting both of those systems to a Gig-E switch (Dlink switch">http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-D...f=cm_cr_pr_product_top</a>), which would then be connected to my 100MB router.

My question is, will the PS3 and iMac communicate via Gig-E speeds? From the reviews I've read of the D-Link switch it can keep up higher speeds even when some ports are connected up at lower speeds. What I'm not sure is if the network traffic is going to have to go from the iMac, through the switch to the router, then back to the switch before getting to the PS3? If so, then it probably doesn't make sense to get a Gig-E switch vs just going for a 100MB switch.

FYI, I do have plenty of windows machines connected up to the router, but my wife has all of her music and photo's on the iMac so I am forced to use that as my media 'hub'. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Jamsan]

If the PS3 and iMac are connected to the same switch, then their packets will be switched through the switch and will not touch the router, unless they need to get to the internet. In your case, you should be fine, and it should certainly improve your transfer speeds over wireless.

 

[ECarlson]

If 2 Gig-E devices are connected to the same Gig-E switch, they will be able to communicate with each other at Gig-E speed, regardless of the speed of the other devices connected to the switch.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Jamsan. and it should certainly improve your transfer speeds over wireless.

Congratulation, you have Giga Wireless???.:shocked:

 

[Jamsan]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: Jamsan. and it should certainly improve your transfer speeds over wireless.

Congratulation, you have Giga Wireless???.:shocked:

Yes. You didn't hear the standard was ratified?!?

What I meant to say was: "and it should certainly improve your transfer speeds VERSUS (your transfer speeds) with wireless."

 

[theanimala]

Guys, thank you very much for the replies. Looks like I am going to go for the Gig-E Router. I hate to ask even more, but does it make a difference if I go Cat 5e or Cat 6? I'm looking at 50 foot cable lengths for all of the connections.

Thanks,

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: theanimala but does it make a difference if I go Cat 5e or Cat 6? I'm looking at 50 foot cable lengths for all of the connections.

Thanks,

Does Not make a difference, but if you buy new buy CAT6.

 

[ECarlson]

I haven't done my own comparison of the two, but if you already have the Cat 5e cable, then it should be okay to use. If you have to buy the cable, or if it is going to be a huge effort to run it through the walls and such, then it may be worth the extra couple $ to use Cat 6. A 50' Cat 5e is $4.15 vs Cat 6 @ $5.61 (in 2-9 qty) at Monoprice.

 

[theanimala]

Thanks again guys, you remind me why I keep coming to these boards year after year. After I posted I did look online at Monoprice and saw the price was hardly different, so I will be ordering the Cat 6 cables. Easy part is done, now comes the hard part of running it through the basement. Thanks again,