Finally getting decent internet. How should I set up my network?

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Master Bob

Master Bob

Distinguished
Jan 17, 2012
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18,510
I thought I'd grab some networking hardware in anticipation of my upgrading from DSL to Cable. I have two wireless routers (same SSID, with the one closer to the modem acting as the main), one (maybe 2) switches, and a powerline adapter.

I've been trying to find out how to wire my network for the least hassle/best configuration, and thought I'd turn to the forums for help.

After working it out, I've broken down the solutions to three configurations (Warning: Formatting):

1. Modem --> Switch --> Router A
|
Powerline (This is Switch to Switch via Powerline)
|
V
Switch --> Router B

2. Modem --> Router A
|
Powerline (This is router to switch via Powerline)
|
V
Switch --> Router B

3. Modem --> Router A
|
Powerline (This is modem to switch via Powerline)
|
V
Switch --> Router B

So which one should I go with? Or none of these? Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
B
Hard to tell from your diagrams what you plan.

Your only option is to run the modem directly to one of your routers. The ISP will likely only let you have a single IP address.

Then you place the switch after the router to give you more ports. You want to run your second router as a AP not as a router. This in effect makes that a switch also which just happens to have ports that run wireless.

The location of the powerline devices do not matter a lot. Obviously you must place them between the 2 remote locations but you can hook the equipment up in any order. The powerlines appears to be switches also to the network. You want to avoid running any unneeded traffic over the powerline but it really doesn't matter which...
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B

bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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Hard to tell from your diagrams what you plan.

Your only option is to run the modem directly to one of your routers. The ISP will likely only let you have a single IP address.

Then you place the switch after the router to give you more ports. You want to run your second router as a AP not as a router. This in effect makes that a switch also which just happens to have ports that run wireless.

The location of the powerline devices do not matter a lot. Obviously you must place them between the 2 remote locations but you can hook the equipment up in any order. The powerlines appears to be switches also to the network. You want to avoid running any unneeded traffic over the powerline but it really doesn't matter which ports you hook it to. You likely will never run enough traffic to saturate a port anyway.
 
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Solution
Master Bob

Master Bob

Distinguished
Jan 17, 2012
14
0
18,510


Sorry about the diagrams, Tom's formatting really killed them!

Yeah, i intended to run the second router as an access point. Main reason for the powerline and switch is because the ground floor office has always been the room for the network gear, but all of my computers/game consoles/etc are upstairs. My confusion stemmed from not knowing whether the modem or the first router would be doing in intranetwork IP assignments. Since it looks like the router is doing that, the powerline should be running through that.

Well, thanks for clearing that up! Now all I have to wait for is the Charter tech to drop buy and set it up!
 
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