Need Switch and Wireless Router Recommendations

So my old router took a dump on me, so I had to borrow a friend's Linksys for the time being. I figured that this may be a good time to invest in a quality wireless router.

I have three computers, PS3, Wii, and one notebook (which has 802.11 a/g/n wireless capability). I'd like the desktop machines and consoles to be wired (as the wiring is in place already) and the notebook to be wireless (obviously). I will most likely need a switch as well, as I have had to unplug computers in the past in order to obtain an internet connection and reconnect them after I'm done (which is quite annoying). Any switch recommendations would be helpful as well.

I like Linksys and D-Link routers and switches, if that makes a difference. price is around $100 or so for the router. For the switch, whatever you guys recommend. Thanks! =)

 

Well, all the home "routers" are high level 4 (not sure about #) switches anyway, real routers are $1,000 and up.

I like Netgear with extended range and MIMO.

 

If you're willing to spend extra on a switch, I've had great luck with this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833129035

Prior, I just used the switch on the router. or a cheap DLink switch. Throughput (especially video streaming) was hit and miss. Sometimes fine, sometimes unusable. It always seemed like I was power-cycling everything trying to get stuff working. I finally bit the bullt and paid more for this SMC unmanaged switch, and it was the best money I've spent on networking gear. I have 10 devices plugged into it and everything runs great.

You probably weren't thinking $150+ for a switch, but depending how much stuff you pump through it you might consider it.

 

Well, as far as routers go, I was thinking about this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124081

and this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127215

Anyone have any feedback?

 

Can't say about the Linksys, but I've had the DLink DIR-655 for over a year. Best router I've ever owned, fast, reliable. No worries with that one.

 

Personally I am a fan of routers that you can load open source software onto such as Tomato, OpenWRT, or DD-WRT. I can't say I have ever used either of those two. Although I am pretty sure the library near me uses that linksys model or one that is very similar.

Like I said the open source firmware gives you more options when using the router such as QoS and other nice features. I would see if either of those routers are supported. Just my 2 cents.

 

amen

I wouldn't trade my dir-655 for anything, atm

 

I know that the dir-655 supports QoS for sure.

 

as far as a switch goes...i really like this one...have had it only a few weeks...but no probs...NETGEAR JFS516...i'm becoming a Netgear fan...it's nice to have a piece of network equipment that has a metal enclosure instead of some cheap plastic that feels like throw-away junk...here's a newegg link to look it over... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122122

i ordered mine through officedepot...with no shipping charges...price was within a few dollars

 

I have Dlink DGS2205 5 port gige switch ($30) along with a larger DGS-1216T managed switch ($$$). Both have worked flawless for 3+ years now.

Smallnetbuilder.com has run test on switches, way want to jump over there and see what he says. Unless you need a managed switch the Dlink DGS 2205 or 2208 will work just fine. Both support large jumbo 9k packets. Always get a switch with more ports than you thing you will need. Once you have the extra ports you will find something to plug in to it.

 

I have a simple question about your need for a switch, how a switch will help you on your argument in red above?

 

I'm not sure what he meant by that part either but if he wants 3 PC's and 2 consoles hardwired, then he's going to need a switch anyway. Most routers today have 4 ethernet ports max.

An aside, I'm guessing that the built-in switches on consumer routers are probably higher quality than they were a few years ago, but I'm still a big proponent of a dedicated (read: higher quality) switch if you're hooking up more than a couple of devices.

 

Yes, as I previously said, home application routers I believe are level 4 switches, and the only moment you want a level 3 a lower switch is when you have many network components in your network and you want to keep the switch dummy, not too much intelligence in it but to handle traffic using the MAC addresses.

But the OP doesn't seem to have much of a need, two network elements to be wired and one to be wireless, so why to get a switch???????

 

Well, he actually mentions 5 wired devices...three PC's, a PS3, and a Wii. He doesn't ever specify if these are to be directly connected to the switch or if they're in remote wired locations, but I read it as they'd all be connected to the switch. Maybe not.

 

He said 3 and he described them

(I have three computers, PS3, Wii, and one notebook (which has 802.11 a/g/n wireless capability)

But I can be wrong, English is not my mother's tongue, not even my own tongue

 

Er, the whole sentence says, "I have three computers, PS3, Wii, and one notebook (which has 802.11 a/g/n wireless capability). I'd like the desktop machines and consoles to be wired (as the wiring is in place already) and the notebook to be wireless (obviously)."

So he has 3 computers AND a PS3 AND a Wii AND a notebook.

That's 5 wired devices (3 computers, a PS3, and a Wii) and one wireless (notebook).

 

Lol, then he does need a switch or perhaps another router. Actually I think he would be better with another router so he can get more functionality and flexibility.

 

He can just connect a Dlink DGS-2208 GigE 8 port switch will fill his needs. It supports Jumbo frames. It's quiet, no fans for cooling like the larger 16port switches. It will give him more room to expand.

 

I have heard just good comments about that switch, excellent recommendation blue68f100.

I'll rep you as soon as I can.

 

I have the younger brother DGS-2205 to expand the my network in the bedroom. But its connected to a DGS-1216T Managed switch, so I have full gige speed. This way I loose no performance with my 10/100BaastT devices. The last time I checked I have 18 devices/drops. Flat crazy for a home user. I seam to only buy network based hardware so it can be easily shared.

 

18 devices/drop , that's what I call a true home network, are you the home IT guy too? I hope they pay you well

 

I'm retired (@50) and on disability due to damaged nerve root in my back, a surgery that went bad.

So I don't get paid for my services here at the house. But I buy good hardware so I don't have to replace it very often. Most all if my equipment is SMB hardware. Which means I don't have to put up with the low end hardware firmware issues. I use forums to help pass the time and keep the mind sharp. I'm also a moderator on the Snap Server forum threads on procooling.com.

 

The DGS-2208 is a nice little switch. I used it for some time, fully loaded with 8 devices. Unfortunately one day it just quit passing traffic, who knows why. I replaced it with the SMC SMCGS16 16-port switch that I linked earlier in this thread, and that one has been outstanding. (Anyone wanting to spend ~$160 on 16 ports, I'd certainly recommend that one.)

So for the OP, I think that 8 port DGS-2208 would be great. Don't let the failure of mine scare you off...any individual example of a product can go bad. It's a nice fast switch.

 

I'm sad to hear about your back issue, I can certainly relate to that because I also had a very bad accident playing hockey, I could walk for a week and I saw chiropractors and many other experts, but w/o avail, however I'm doing much better now w/o the help of "Doctors", after several years.

 

The best thing you can get for your back is an inversion table, the best $100 you ever spend. You don't have to go vertical, any angle that unloads the spine works, you will know when you hit it. Any where from 5-10 min is all that is needed, but the longer you stay the quicker it will heal. I have my stopping at around 7-8 o-clock. Using it regularly is the key. Also learn how to stretch the hamstring and gluts is a must. I stretch ever night before going to bed. The body is amazing, it will heal it self if given the opertunity. I spent 1 hr every day in a traction unit for a disk in the base of my neck. After 1 mo I had lost all of the pain running down my arm and hand. I did the extra mo to make sure It was fully healed. It's been over 15 yrs now and it has never come back.

Backs can be a major pain, I know I deal with it every day. After 5 surgeries, spinal cord stimulator and injecion ever 3-4 mo keeps me going. I only have about 4 hrs a day that I can be up before the pain gets unbearable and forces me to lay down.


Back to the topic in hand,

I hope we have given you enough info for you to make a decision.

 

Yes, he needs an inversion router

Thank you for the tip I will shop for it, certainly.

You deserve rep twice

 

I've seen D-Link, SMC, Linksys, and Netgear come up with fair reliability here, is 3Com good for switches and/or wireless router? Should I stick with one company for a switch and router? edit: 3Com doesn't have wireless routers that have 802.11n

It seems like the recommended wireless routers are the Linksys and D-Link while the recommended switches are the SMC and Netgear. Does Linksys and D-Link have good switches, and do SMC and Netgear have good wireless routers?

Right now I'm going through Newegg to look at all the different products but some of the features are confusing me. such as the SMC SMCGS16 is unmanaged with jumbo frame support and 400kb buffer... edit: ok so reading up on unmanaged vs. managed, don't need managed but still don't know what the use of jumbo frame support or the buffer...

Btw, my dad swears by his inversion table. If only he would use it as regularly as you did lol.

 

I have Dlink Switches and they work great. Managed switches will allow you to isolate hardware from others. Some of the newer routers support Vlans. This to can be used to isolate users.

Jumbo frame are when you are sending large files between pc's. It will give you quicker file transfers. But for most users will not notice any different as far as Internet access due to slower speeds.

You can also brake you network down into areas. and use smaller port count swithces. Like use a 8 port Gige at the router. Then if you have rooms that need more than one port use a smaller 5 port switch to expand. Using gige switches will minimize bottle necks.

 

thanks blue!