Networking my home

DjUnity

New Member
ok, so i currently have a wrt54g for my network with 2 computers and my printer, and my CCTV DVR connected.


i caouple months ago i ran network wires throughout my home and am now ready to purchase the equipment. i am not sure the proper way to do this so i am looking for some help.

this is the scope of my project...

all wires ran to a central rack location in the basement.

i have wall jacks in multiple areas of the home that will be connected to the following components...


2 computers
1 printer
1 CCTV DVR
1 DMA2100 (Media Center Extender)
1 Surround Sound Receiver
and a couple other items down the road.


i was planning on moving my modem to the basement rack and putting a 16 post switch in, and then a WAP.

This is where my question comes in...


do i use a 16 port router or a 16 port switch in my rack?

What is the difference?

any suggestions on products i should use?


(yes i want 16 ports)

i am obviously going to plug my WAP out of that.



Thanks!
 
i was planning on moving my modem to the basement rack and putting a 16 post switch in, and then a WAP.

You want a 16 port switch - You answered the question yourself

To save me from going mad and easier of use for me and yourself (Iv had a full day of networking lectures) here is the relevant information I think you are looking for.

Difference between Router and Switch

With the last question, will you be using the network to send/receive large amounts of data? Are any of the devices 'gigabit'? What cable have you laid? Cat5 (e) or Cat6?
 
this is the part that confuses me...


"Routers for home networks (often called broadband routers) also can join multiple networks. These routers are designed specifically to join the home (LAN) to the Internet (WAN) for the purpose of Internet connection sharing. In contrast, neither hubs nor switches are capable of joining multiple networks or sharing an Internet connection. A home network with only hubs and switches must designate one computer as the gateway to the Internet, and that device must possess two network adapters for sharing, one for the home LAN and one for the Internet WAN. With a router, all home computers connect to the router equally, and it performs the equivalent gateway functions. "


so by using a switch does one of my computers become the hub to send internet to everything else or do i simply plug my modem into the switch and everything rocks?

Also, i can log into my CCTV DVR from anywhere. this requires me to forward one port in my router and have an IP address. by using a switch does this eliminate the capabilities to forward a port and log onto my DVR?
 
A router sits on the edge of your network between the internet and your lan.

A switch plugs into your router, and connects the lan to the router.

When you say you want to plug your WAP into the switch .. if you want to power your WAP using ethernet, you will need a POE switch (or adapter) and a POE capable WAP.
 
so in reality, i could use my current 4 port wireless router, use one port to plug to a switch, and i would be good to go?
 
With the last question, will you be using the network to send/receive large amounts of data? Are any of the devices 'gigabit'? What cable have you laid? Cat5 (e) or Cat6?



i ran CAT5E to all locations.

what devices for instance would be "gigabit" devices? would CAT5E be able to handle them?
 
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