Will this work to get gigabit networking?

[Tha Snowmann]

Hello everyone,

I got just a couple of questions regarding converting my network setup to run at gigabit speeds.

First the background...
Below (Figure 1) is my current setup to help you guys understand what im talking about
So I have my cable connection connected to a standard wireless router (Linksys WRT54G). The router has 4 10/100 Ethernet connections which are all currently in use and wireless 'G'. I have just put together another computer to server as a media streamer to my DivX Connected box, but this is also to server as a server style to backup the data on the other computers. So I would like gigabit speeds so that file transfers are quicker.
All the cables that i have connecting this together are all Cat6, the longest of the cables is 30m which runs through the roof, and the shortest would be 1.5m in length.

Figure 1:


So what I'm thinking is buying a gigabit network switch (most likely 5-8 port) that I can put between all the computers and the wireless router (see Figure 2) I have no need for Wireless N and if I get an 8 port switch I can then connect my PS3 via Ethernet cable and put another wall socket through a single wall to the next room. PS3 and DivX Connect box are connected to the home theater in the room right next to where the internet and router connections are located.

Figure 2:


So my questions are:
1. By putting a gigabit switch where I have shown, will this give gigabit speeds if data is only being transferred from computer to computer? (Computers all have 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports)
2. Can i run gigabit speeds over a 30m Cat6 cable? or is it to long? (I'm thinking of putting the server computer in another room which will require a 30m Cat6 cable through the roof as well)
3. Would I need a 'managed' or 'unmanaged' gigabit switch? (don't know the difference and just want it to be plug in and work style )
4. Or should I just buy a gigabit wireless router with at least 5 gigabit ports? (doesn't have to have wireless N)

I'm looking for the cheapest solution here by the way.

Many thanks in advance!
Snowmann

[mr_wrxman]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Unmanaged
4. Your solution will work fine, no need to buy a gigabit router when nothing is hooked up directly to it. Would make sense if you had some machines connected directly to the router, but you don't, so it's not needed.

[Kizuka]

A managed switch provides some sort of control interface, be it web-based or command line (or both), that allows you to control various aspects of the switch's operation.

Some typical functions available on a managed switch include VLAN management, port enabling/disabling, per-port and total traffic stats, CAM table contents, link speed settings (force 10/100/1000/auto-neg etc).

Conversely, an unmanaged switch is basically a black box...you plug network cables in, lights come on, it works...there is nothing more you can do with it. As you would expect, managed switches are more expensive but depending on your environment, not always necessary.

[Tha Snowmann]

well at the moment i do have all my computers connected directly to the router. i was thinking more in terms of 'simplifying' the solution. having it all go through 1 box could be 'simpler'

Originally Posted by Kizuka

Some typical functions available on a managed switch include VLAN management, port enabling/disabling, per-port and total traffic stats, CAM table contents, link speed settings (force 10/100/1000/auto-neg etc).

Conversely, an unmanaged switch is basically a black box...you plug network cables in, lights come on, it works...there is nothing more you can do with it. As you would expect, managed switches are more expensive but depending on your environment, not always necessary.

So with an unmanaged switch i would still be able to access the web based interface of my current wireless router (Linksys WRT54G)?
As i currently have some port forwarding settings set through this.

EDIT:
Oh and cheers for the quick reply guys

[Kizuka]

Originally Posted by Tha Snowmann

So with an unmanaged switch i would still be able to access the web based interface of my current wireless router (Linksys WRT54G)? As i currently have some port forwarding settings set through this.

Oh hell yes. The control interface on a managed switch is only there when you need it, it doesn't get in the way of anything. Typically you configure a static IP for the switch itself and then just:

https://<ip of switch>

or

ssh <ip of switch>

to access the admin interface. Your WRT54G would sit on a totally independent IP that's just another host on your network.

Or did I misunderstand something?

[stergiopilus]

Originally Posted by Tha Snowmann

So with an unmanaged switch i would still be able to access the web based interface of my current wireless router (Linksys WRT54G)?
As i currently have some port forwarding settings set through this.

EDIT:
Oh and cheers for the quick reply guys

Yes, you can still get into your current wireless router.

I have done something similar to you, I have my ADSL modem router, and in one of the ethernet ports (on the modem) have a wireless AP plugged in, and in another ethernet port (on the modem) I have an 8 port Gigabit switch plugged in. Then all my computers and printer etc are plugged into that switch. Works perfectly.

Everything will work as before, but you will just have gigabit transfer speeds to whatever is plugged into the switch. And yes, for what you want to do (plug and play), get an unmanaged switch. It's cheaper and does the job.

[hvalac]

when i head round my mates place for a lan, I bring my gigabite switch and we have it setup exactly as figure 2 shows, everything works fine and there is never any dramas.

[Tha Snowmann]

Originally Posted by Kizuka

to access the admin interface. Your WRT54G would sit on a totally independent IP that's just another host on your network.

Or did I misunderstand something?

for what you said would be for a 'managed' switch, would it not? or am i misunderstanding something??
i wouldnt need a static ip for the switch if i was just using an 'unmanaged' switch?

oh i also forgot to add into the figures, i have an EPSON printer that is connected via wireless to the network through the Linksys WRT54G router. So I take it that will still be all sweet as well?

So now to decide on what gigabit switch to get....
ive seen these on PCCG:
- TP-Link SG1008D 8 Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
- Netgear GS605 5-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch

one thing that is confusing regarding the Netgear 5 port switch is that they state

Connects up to 5 or 8 devices delivering speeds up to 10x faster then Fast Ethernet

only has 5 ports on the back though.......
now i am confused...

[Pugs]

Originally Posted by Tha Snowmann

one thing that is confusing regarding the Netgear 5 port switch is that they state
only has 5 ports on the back though.......
now i am confused...

it is the same document for their 8 port switch

[Tha Snowmann]

Ahh that would explain it then.

Im thinking the TP link one would prob be best as it will give me the options for the future of expanding to more computers or things that go on the network

still just having a look atm though.

Cheers for all the help guys!

[Kizuka]

Originally Posted by Tha Snowmann

i wouldnt need a static ip for the switch if i was just using an 'unmanaged' switch?

Correct, an unmanaged switch has no IP address...it shuffles frames, blinks lights and makes warm air

[Aetherone]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Unmanaged
4. I'd stick with the proposed setup of separate switch and router/wireless

[Tha Snowmann]

ok well i got the TP link 8 port gigabit router.

now ive set it up as i have shown in figure 2 in my OP

the switch has 2 types of lights. orange and green. Orange is for 10/100 connection speed and the green is for the 1000 connection speed.

all computers have gigabit NIC that are on the motherboards. the only thing is the TP switch is showing all orange lights (10/100 connection speed) for everything that i have connected into it
is there anything that i need to do in order to get it running at gigabit speeds?

[terrastrife]

uhhh, orange is gigabit.

since when has orange been 10/100? thats what green is for.

everything from crapp atlansic to realtek to awesome intel has always been orange for gig.

if your network cablesa re rubbish, it wont sync at gig.

[Pugs]

Originally Posted by Tha Snowmann

all computers have gigabit NIC that are on the motherboards. the only thing is the TP switch is showing all orange lights (10/100 connection speed) for everything that i have connected into it
is there anything that i need to do in order to get it running at gigabit speeds?

are the NICs set for Auto Negotiation or are they set for 100??? you will need to open the properties of each Nic to see this.

there are many ways to get ther I'm unsure as to what your OS's are so can't really say th ebest way to get there to find out

Originally Posted by terrastrife

uhhh, orange is gigabit.

since when has orange been 10/100? thats what green is for.

everything from crapp atlansic to realtek to awesome intel has always been orange for gig.

if your network cablesa re rubbish, it wont sync at gig.

the ones on my Billion are the other way around.. and my SD2008 doesn't care