What device/s to use to connect the pictured network?

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tomasse

tomasse

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Sep 29, 2013
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Please, someone who knows his way around with networks.
I need some help with my home network. This is what is actually going on:
http://i.imgur.com/EdqPbCg.jpg
I ONLY WANT MY NETWORK TO BE WIRED (10/100/1000).
1 single ethernet line goes from room 1, to room 2 and from there to room 3 and so on. My question is simple. If i put a simple 2/4-port wired router to each place where i have a *star* (in the picture), would i be able to connect more devices to each room and still give/send internet/network traffic to the next room and so on?
 
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abailey


Tough question. The TL-SG105 switch has 5 ports and supports 10/100/1000 speeds but has no wireless. The TL-WR841N router has 4 LAN ports that support 10/100, has wireless built in, but does not support Gigabit speeds.
I don't know what your internet speed is and I don't know your usage case. Meaning is this network mainly for internet access or do you plan on transferring files between PC's, etc. Because of the cascade arrangement you have going, personally, I would purchase the switches. The Gigabit speed will help assure you don't get bottle necks...
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tomasse

tomasse

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So, from what i understand, both routers or switches will do the work. What is something more that i would get from a router, that i wouldn't from a switch? I guess there has to be a difference or they wouldn't exist.

 
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abailey

abailey

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Routers connect different networks together, like the internet to your home network. If you only run one network at your house you only need the one router between you and the internet. Also many routers have firewalls built in as well as what is called NAT translation (things you need to both protect your home network from the internet as well as allow you to connect multiple devices on your network to the internet using one IP address from your ISP). They also usually hand out your IP address at you house (DHCP). Some home routers have wireless radios built in.
 
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A

Alabalcho

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Jan 13, 2011
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I am not sure I can answer your question, but - qudos for your drawing!!!

I would rather try to minimise the hops - that is, instead of linear connection between switches, I would rather buld (with the expense of more cables between rooms) tree-like structure (e.g. router to Room1, Room 1 to Rooms 2 and 3, Room2 to Room4, Room 3 to room 5). Long time ago I do remember there was a limit of how many hops Ethernet is "allowed" to jump (memories from some 3Com training 15 years ago).
 
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tomasse

tomasse

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Since i can find the "TP-LINK TL-SG105" switch and the "TP-LINK TL-WR841N" wireless N router at the same price,
what would be the best futureproof method to use with my network?
 
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abailey

abailey

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Tough question. The TL-SG105 switch has 5 ports and supports 10/100/1000 speeds but has no wireless. The TL-WR841N router has 4 LAN ports that support 10/100, has wireless built in, but does not support Gigabit speeds.
I don't know what your internet speed is and I don't know your usage case. Meaning is this network mainly for internet access or do you plan on transferring files between PC's, etc. Because of the cascade arrangement you have going, personally, I would purchase the switches. The Gigabit speed will help assure you don't get bottle necks as you cascade through the switches, getting closer to your router. Now if you have a weak wifi signal in room5, you could put a wireless router there (in AP mode) and switches everywhere else (as long as you don't need Gigabit speeds in room5).
Remember in rooms 2,3, and 4 you will use 2 of the ports for uplinks between rooms. Thus if you are using the router with 4 LAN ports, that will leave you only 2 ports available for devices.
 
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kotsoskotsas

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Aug 15, 2014
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I'd say keep it as simple as possible. Go with a gigabit switch as people suggested. Complicating the network doesn't help at all. Unless you need wireless in which case get a router with wireless or an additional AP only in the room that you need it in.
 
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