Gigabit Lan Router...Suggestions Anyone?

[ArborBarber]

I did a search on this, so if this question has already been addressed please point me in the right direction. In my area comcast is offering a pretty decent deal, 6 months @ $19.99 + a free motorolla surfboard modem. I'd like to use the on board gigabit lan on several computers in the house, I'll be hard wiring them together through a decent gigabit router (hopefully), any suggestion for a router? Maybe even a combination modem/router...was looking at a d-link gamerlounge(?) modem/router...any comments, suggestions?

 

[JackMDS]

There is No Entry Level Giga Router.

There is one Entry Level Router that has a Giga switch and it is made by D-Link (search the site).

However before you put down the Mega $$ for this Router do some reading about Giga and peer to peer Home networks.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=36&threadid=1524231&enterthread=y

:sun:

 

[ArborBarber]

Jack,
Thanks, I'll do that, I did see some litature, and was appalled at some of the prices...will read your link.

 

[ArborBarber]

Jack,
Checked out the switch you recommended. Alls good, but...
O.K., maybe you can help me understand this....Broadband has its' limits...that's understood, what I'd like to do is connect 3 pc's for lan gaming and video streaming...yada yada...now, if I connect the modem to the switch and the switch to the other pc's, all pc's will still be able to connect to the internet correct? Router and switch seem to be a bit confusing, what's the difference? Will do some more research, but any input is appreciated. Nice price on the smc...as compared to $30,000....lol

 

[EightySix Four]

I really like my D-Link gamerlounge that is a gigabit router with some kick @ss features it cost about $120

 

[JackMDS]

Link to: Setting a Home Giga network.

BTW. Buying computer hardware is also a matter of strategy. If I have a Wireless Router I do not need to buy the D-Link in order to get a Giga.

If I do not have a Router I might want to buy a decent Cheappo 802.11g (some on sale for $20) and not get attached to a Wireless Router that I might replace in the near future with 801.11n (or pre N).

On the other hand some people might be very happy with the D-Link.

It is an Individual Call.:thumbsup:

:sun:

 

[skyking]

the smc is the only gigabit switch series that supports jumbo frames, to my knowledge.
nice article on what jumbo frames are, and why you would care.
I would suggest getting a switch that supports jumbo frames, and uplink to any old router. The path to the WAN is tiny, usually less than 5 Mb. Only the wired clients willl benefit from gigE, and only between themselves on the LAN.

 

[bluegreenturtle]

I don't know if this is relevant - but I recently just tossed a dell 16 port gigabit unmanaged switch into a small client's existing lan and made sure that all the servers and clients that had GB nics were going through that particular switch - they noticed a big difference and were pleased. They have exceptionally large files that they move around the lan. No jumbo frames, no planning - so there are at least some gains to be had from vanilla gigabit.

 

[JackMDS]

You are right. But it depends on the actual setting.

The word Giga and the marketing ploys make people believe that we are tailing x10. I.e. 10 times faster.:shocked:

Without Jumbo frames (and special servers) you would get double the speed. I.e lile Giga turned 200Mb/sec.

If you are a user that transfer files every day for a total of 20 minutes you would save 10 minutes. Hardly worth while the investment.:thumbsdown:

If you are a user that transfers every day files for a total time of 6 hours and you save 3 hours, it probably worth every penny, Jumbo frames or Not.:thumbsup:

:sun:

 

[ArborBarber]

WOW...
Thanks skyking...will be doing some reading here. I will also try to digest this info, thanks for the link. The only benifit I was looking for would be between the wired clients, I'm not looking to increase bandwidth on the net as there is a ceiling, only looking to increase the lan...want a decent gaming lan, will use any router for internet...thanks for the input.

 

[ArborBarber]

Thanks all...
I appreciate all the input everyone had for me, I now understand a lot more then when I first posted my question... Thanks again!

 

[ArborBarber]

OK...
Here's one more question I have, I see that there are 2 types of ways to wire the cable terminals, 568a and 568b, which should I use to connect my computers to the switch(SMC8505T )? I'll be making my own cables and I bought cat5e bulk cable to run through my house...

 

[JackMDS]

It does not matter as long as you are consistent with the same standard.

Link to: Wiring - I would like to wire my Networked Computers (Home Wiring).

:sun:

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: ArborBarber
OK...
Here's one more question I have, I see that there are 2 types of ways to wire the cable terminals, 568a and 568b, which should I use to connect my computers to the switch(SMC8505T )? I'll be making my own cables and I bought cat5e bulk cable to run through my house...

568B is what you will see out in the US anyway, so I sould suggest using it out of habit.
I strongly suggest that you don't buy mod ends and terminate runs that way. Buy your patch cables, and install your runs in solid wire to kestone jacks.
Falied mod-ends are right up there in the frustration quotient. Patch cables are around a buck. Troublshooting 1 bad mod end pays for about 50 patch cables, by my figuring