• 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.

Please Help Me Set Up A Secure Home Network

J

JackSpadesSI

Senior member
Ok? here?s what I want to network and I don?t have a clue how to do it:

Room A (next to Room B):
Server = hardwired 10/100/1000, Windows Home Server (Power Pack 1)
Desktop 1 = hardwired 10/100/1000, Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit
Desktop 2 = hardwired 10/100, Windows XP Professional SP2 32-bit
Printer = hardwired 10/100

Room B (next to Room A):
Laptop 1 = wireless b/g, Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
Laptop 2 = wireless b/g, Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2 32-bit
Xbox 360 = hardwired (I assume just 10/100???)
Wii = wireless (I assume these are b/g???)
Blu-ray player = hardwired (I assume just 10/100???)

Room C (upstairs):
Desktop 3 = wireless (haven?t bought the card yet), Windows XP Professional SP2 32-bit

What I?ve already got:
Subscription for 5 Mbps cable internet service
Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem
Linksys WRT54G wireless router (edited: I was wrong, it is only g not b/g)
Linksys EZXS55W 10/100 Ethernet switch

I just bought the WHS system and it isn?t even set up yet. I?d like it to be able to back up every other computer listed above.

My current Linksys wireless router only has 4 LAN ports on it, and as you can see I?m trying to hardwire 6 devices. Do they make 6-port wireless routers, or will I need to go switch-happy?

Here?s how I see the network going (please feel free to suggest improvements):
Router port 1 = Desktop 1
Router port 2 = Server
Router port 3 = Ethernet switch A
Router port 4 = Ethernet switch B (which I?d have to buy)
Ethernet switch A port 1 = Desktop 2
Ethernet switch A port 2 = Printer
Ethernet switch B port 1 = Xbox 360
Ethernet switch B port 2 = Blu-ray player

I hate to put the Xbox 360 on a switch, though, because it is constantly lagging online so I want to give it all the bandwidth possible.

What I?d like to know from you guys:
What wireless encryption should I use for this network and how (step-by-step) do I set that up?
How do I configure the whole network so that the WHS system can ?talk? to every other computer in the house ? and at maximum speed?
What networking hardware do you recommend for me to buy so that I can make everything connect as fast as possible ? I assume I need a new wireless router because mine (probably?) doesn?t support 10/100/1000; do I need a new cable modem and switches, too?

Thanks, in advance, for everyone?s help!!!
 
I would recommend a GigE switch for everything. The switch's that are built into router's aren't nearly as good as standalone 10/100 or 10/100/1000 switches. Just get a few 8 port GigE switches (I have a few trendnet's that work great). I would attach one of these to the room where your router is at, then plug all of your devices in that room to that GigE switch, then place the other GigE switches in the other room's with one Cat5e/6 cable running from each of these rooms to the room where your main GigE switch is and connect those cat5e/6 cables to a port on your main gigE switch. Your router will only have the cable connection to the WAN port and one cable from one of the ports to your main GigE switch, so nothing else will be plugged into the router except the main switch. ALL of your devices will be plugged into either the main GigE switch or one of the cascading sub-switches in another room. With this setup, only internet traffic will be hitting your router which will cause it to last longer. SOHO routers have a major over-heating problem so it's always best practice to just attach a switch to the router and then hook all devices to that switch and leave only one of the four ports on the router being used. Hopefully this makes sense for you.

As far as your other questions, for wireless if you can go WPA2 with AES encryption, that'd be best. As far as what wireless, it depends what type of wireless router you have now. Again, don't use your wireless router to connect everything else up wired, they don't have very good switches and it's best to just use a standalone switch with other switches uplinked to the main switch. Here's the trendnet switch that I use: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817111479 On my GigE desktops, I get about 800-900mb/sec transfer speed on my cascaded switches sustained, pretty good IMO.
 
As recommended a good Gig switch is the best way.

Internet -> Router -> Switch -> all systems.

This layout allows all of your devices to talk to each other without busying your router as well. Your router will only be used for internet calls/wireless acccessors, which is the most efficient setup for a high flow network.
 
Ok, update with what I own:
Cable Modem = Linksys BEFCMU10
Wireless Router = Linksys WRT54G
Switch = Linksys EZXS55W

My switch is called a ?5-Port Workgroup Switch? (and I was right, it is just 10/100). It has 1-5 ports on the back PLUS an ?uplink? port. However, after looking up 8-port switches on Newegg.com they just have 8 ports? no uplink. I don?t get how this works.
 
Ok, I bought a Gigabit switch:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833124020

Is there any way to determine what type(s) of Ethernet cables I have at home?

The cables don?t all have text along the exterior that say what type they are and I don?t remember any more since they?re all mixed together.

Is there a physical difference I can look for that could distinguish the types?
Is there a way to test it by using a computer (e.g. a web application that tells you your connected speed to a switch)?

I want to make sure I am using only Gigabit-rated (minimum) cables to maintain a Gigabit speed home network. I?d hate to have one Category 5 (or anything older?) limit the whole thing to 100Mbit/s.

Also, I?m a bit confused:
Newegg sells Category 5, 5E, 6, and 6E cables. However, according to Wikipedia, the types are Category 5, 5E, 6, and 6a. Is 6E the same thing as 6a?

Thanks!
 
Anyone?

Also, what's a good place to buy Ethernet cables cheaply and with free shipping? Sure the cables are crazy cheap on Newegg.com, but the shipping for all of the cables actually cost more than the cables themselves. Not cool.

Thanks again, and I'd really appreciate some help (as always)!

...oh, and 100th post!!! WOO HOO!!!
 
Thanks for the Monoprice link!

Any chance they have the occasional free shipping sale? Their shipping is still expensive, although better than Newegg's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top