ok, i'm dumber than a rock

[medic5678]

hey everyone. i'm trying to set up my home network and i'd like to get a bit of
tech savvy advice.

first, i have satellite internet with a satellite modem. attached to that i have a linksys broadband router with 4 physical ports on back, and i am using this for a home wireless network.

i am adding some ip cameras that will need to be wired and i need additional ports. do i just need to add a switch and hook it up to one of the ports on the router? and then i can hook up several wired devices to the switch, and these devices would have access to anything hooked wirelessly through the router?

additionally, i am going to be installing access in another building on my property (a video production studio), and i'd like to be able to hook up to the network in the house.

i am not so concerned about the cheapest way to do this. obvously, no one wants to waste money but i'd rather have reliable equipment. should i just bite the bullet and hook up a cat 6 cable between my house and my studio?

can i have a little wireless router in the studio and hook it up to the router in the house via cat 6 cable, and be able to use everything across the networks?

finally, i will admit to being a bit stumped by the explosion of terms since i began toying with computers. thanks. and i might add that i don't think i need anything more than 802.11b/g. speed isn't much of an issue.

 

[medic5678]

i guess maybe the thing to do would be to add a second router in the studio (another linksys WRT54GL) wired to the first router, and then add a switch to the first router for my ip cameras. sound reasonable?

 

[Mushkins]

Your first solution of "plug a switch into one of the router ports and then plug things into the switch" is correct.

You do *NOT* want two routers on the same network in a home network. Your router is your gateway device, having two will cause you nothing but problems. If you need to extend wireless access what you want is a Wireless Access Point that supports Roaming. This will let you use the WAP in conjunction with your routers built in wireless to create a single wireless network that hands off your connection to whichever source is stronger as you physically move between the two areas. Make sure you get an Access Point and not a Repeater or Range Extender. They are different devices and it can get confusing. Plug the WAP into one of the open ports on the switch or the router, doesn't matter.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Yes, a switch is what you need.

Yes, run a cable from the house to the studio.

 

[Zap]

can i have a little wireless router in the studio and hook it up to the router in the house via cat 6 cable, and be able to use everything across the networks?

Yes, however you will have to disable the DHCP server of this secondary wireless router, and not plug anything into the WAN port.

 

[ch33zw1z]

using a router as an WAP

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

 

[alkemyst]

Look your router and modem on DSLReports.com. Like many said. Stick to one router and the modem and just add a switch or switches as you grow.

You may find two routers or more are possible, ignore that. It's too much overhead for a simple network.

 

[Zap]

I guess it comes down to whether the OP wants wireless in his remote studio. If not, then a simple switch would be the easiest plug & play choice. If he wants wireless but NOT wired, then maybe an AP. If he wants BOTH and won't go more than three hardwired, then a wireless router (properly configured) would work.

 

[medic5678]

I guess it comes down to whether the OP wants wireless in his remote studio. If not, then a simple switch would be the easiest plug & play choice. If he wants wireless but NOT wired, then maybe an AP. If he wants BOTH and won't go more than three hardwired, then a wireless router (properly configured) would work.

i bought both a switch and a 2nd linksys router. connecting my workshop with the switch, and the studio with the router. also connecting all my ip cams (made a mistake buying these - wish i had bought cctv - but that's another thread).