What network hardware should i purchase?

[W6PJJ]

Greetings:

I have been considering building a Home LAN utilizing Ethernet technology and thought I would solicit responses from those who have had good luck with certain types of hardware.The system I envision would consist of three Mac computers, WWW access, a mass storage RAID and three printers. This system will be very local, the distance between the two farthest points would be no more than say thirty feet, so the CAT cable runs would be short in terms of networking on a Ethernet. I am more interested in what manufactures can be trusted to supply me with reliable expandable hardware that would be in the mid to upper price point. Any testimonies or comments are welcome and expected.

 

[tlarkin]

Any 8 port gigabit switch will probably do, anything more expensive you get into like layer 2 and layer 3 switches but those aren't about performance as they are more about management.

Just go out and look at the Netgear and Linksys 8 port gigabit switches. Find a good deal and get one.

 

[W6PJJ]

My Reply 2 U

Any 8 port gigabit switch will probably do, anything more expensive you get into like layer 2 and layer 3 switches but those aren't about performance as they are more about management.

Just go out and look at the Netgear and Linksys 8 port gigabit switches. Find a good deal and get one.

Are you using one of these devices; if so, which one is working well for you?

 

[tlarkin]

Well, at home I have a Linksys WRT54GL router and a Netgear Gigabit switch. At work I have a wide range of things, from Cisco, to Linksys to Netgear and such. Our enterprise back end is all cisco stuff, but some computer labs and offices that don't have enough data drops will run off a mini switch.

Like I said, on networks that don't need switch management any retail 8 port Gigabit switch will work fine. If you are looking to manage it, then you may want to get what they call a 'smart switch.'

 

[W6PJJ]

My reply 2 u

Well, at home I have a Linksys WRT54GL router and a Netgear Gigabit switch. At work I have a wide range of things, from Cisco, to Linksys to Netgear and such. Our enterprise back end is all cisco stuff, but some computer labs and offices that don't have enough data drops will run off a mini switch.

Like I said, on networks that don't need switch management any retail 8 port Gigabit switch will work fine. If you are looking to manage it, then you may want to get what they call a 'smart switch.'

Well, I appreciate your feedback. I will proceed from here. You have given me some ideas for the work location as well. We have six printers three large format. We also have four Mac computers and need to network all this. In addition we need to have two large capacity servers dedicated to Video and Image photography. This will prove an interesting adventure at the work location as well. Tnx Agn..

 

[tlarkin]

Well, I appreciate your feedback. I will proceed from here. You have given me some ideas for the work location as well. We have six printers three large format. We also have four Mac computers and need to network all this. In addition we need to have two large capacity servers dedicated to Video and Image photography. This will prove an interesting adventure at the work location as well. Tnx Agn..

Well that is a bit more than you originally mentioned. You could (if they aren't that far apart from each other) run everything off like a 24 port gigabit switch and still have room to grow.

 

[W6PJJ]

MY Reply 2 U

Well that is a bit more than you originally mentioned. You could (if they aren't that far apart from each other) run everything off like a 24 port gigabit switch and still have room to grow.

Interesting that you would mention using a switch. I have been reading up on them on various sites over the WWW. The main concern with that much hardware is the potential for collisions accessing the servers and printers. If the switches are anything like Teleco Switches, they are intelligent and prevent data or access collisions. Here at home I have a box full of equipment that was given to me by a networking engineer, a number of Ethernet hubs made by Bay Networks and some misc printer interfaces. This stuff should come in real handy that is if it functions. This will probably not stop me from investing in the 8 port Hub you recommended. Tnx for your comments and it's been a pleasure to meet you..