Additional Wireless Router or Wired 5-port Switch

I am considering extending the wired part of my network. I currently
have a Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4-port switch and rather
than extending with a wired 5-port switch, I am considering spending
just a little bit more for an 802.11g Wireless router with 4-port
switch and disabling the wireless functionality of my current wireless
router and simply patching it in as a 4-port switch. Netgear 801.11g
routers are as low as $39 almost everywhere now, while the wired 5-
port switch will probably cost me $20 in either a Linksys or Netgear
flavor.

Looking for opinions on this planned router swap or other
suggestions. thx

On 5 Mar 2007 06:33:33 -0800, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>I am considering extending the wired part of my network. I currently
>have a Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4-port switch and rather
>than extending with a wired 5-port switch, I am considering spending
>just a little bit more for an 802.11g Wireless router with 4-port
>switch and disabling the wireless functionality of my current wireless
>router and simply patching it in as a 4-port switch. Netgear 801.11g
>routers are as low as $39 almost everywhere now, while the wired 5-
>port switch will probably cost me $20 in either a Linksys or Netgear
>flavor.
>
>Looking for opinions on this planned router swap or other
>suggestions. thx

I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Mar 5, 9:49 am, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2007 06:33:33 -0800, "gkamiene...@hotmail.com"
> <gkamiene...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> <1173105213.736374.139...@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>:
>
> >I am considering extending the wired part of my network. I currently
> >have a Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4-port switch and rather
> >than extending with a wired 5-port switch, I am considering spending
> >just a little bit more for an 802.11g Wireless router with 4-port
> >switch and disabling the wireless functionality of my current wireless
> >router and simply patching it in as a 4-port switch. Netgear 801.11g
> >routers are as low as $39 almost everywhere now, while the wired 5-
> >port switch will probably cost me $20 in either a Linksys or Netgear
> >flavor.
>
> >Looking for opinions on this planned router swap or other
> >suggestions. thx
>
> I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
> possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
> <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Actually, I was going to pick up a Netgear 802.11g router, not a
Linksys. It's the old Linksys B router that I was going to dumb-down
to be just a 4-port switch. The reference to DD-WRT, while I do use a
couple of Samba devices, why would I want the Linux provisioning?

On 5 Mar 2007 08:23:15 -0800, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>On Mar 5, 9:49 am, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>> I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
>> possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
>> <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>

>Actually, I was going to pick up a Netgear 802.11g router, not a
>Linksys. It's the old Linksys B router that I was going to dumb-down
>to be just a 4-port switch. The reference to DD-WRT, while I do use a
>couple of Samba devices, why would I want the Linux provisioning?

1. Buffalo is better than Netgear (IMnsHO at least).
2. DD-WRT is much more flexible and powerful than stock firmware --
check the list of features.
3. This has nothing to do with running Linux or Samba -- Linux is just
the software platform for the router firmware.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Mar 5, 12:12 pm, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2007 08:23:15 -0800, "gkamiene...@hotmail.com"
> <gkamiene...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> <1173111794.924575.130...@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>:
>
> >On Mar 5, 9:49 am, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> >> I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
> >> possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
> >> <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>
> >Actually, I was going to pick up a Netgear 802.11g router, not a
> >Linksys. It's the old Linksys B router that I was going to dumb-down
> >to be just a 4-port switch. The reference to DD-WRT, while I do use a
> >couple of Samba devices, why would I want the Linux provisioning?
>
> 1. Buffalo is better than Netgear (IMnsHO at least).
> 2. DD-WRT is much more flexible and powerful than stock firmware --
> check the list of features.
> 3. This has nothing to do with running Linux or Samba -- Linux is just
> the software platform for the router firmware.
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Thanks, John for the clarification. So I should be able to use the
old Linksys wireless router as just a 4-port 10/100 switch?

"(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>The reference to DD-WRT, while I do use a
>couple of Samba devices, why would I want the Linux provisioning?

Features, monitoring, management, and control (mostly over power
output but also settings). Browse through the pages at:
<http://www.informatione.gmxhome.de/DDWRT/Standard/V23final/index.html>
to see what's available.

Features:
<http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Tutorials>
The traditional list of features grew so much that it's not being
currently maintained:
<http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Features>

I suggest the more expensive Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router instead. The
increase in transmit power seems to make a difference.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Mar 5, 11:23 am, "gkamiene...@hotmail.com"
<gkamiene...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 5, 9:49 am, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 5 Mar 2007 06:33:33 -0800, "gkamiene...@hotmail.com"
> > <gkamiene...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> > <1173105213.736374.139...@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>:
>
> > >I am considering extending the wired part of my network. I currently
> > >have a Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4-port switch and rather
> > >than extending with a wired 5-port switch, I am considering spending
> > >just a little bit more for an 802.11g Wireless router with 4-port
> > >switch and disabling the wireless functionality of my current wireless
> > >router and simply patching it in as a 4-port switch. Netgear 801.11g
> > >routers are as low as $39 almost everywhere now, while the wired 5-
> > >port switch will probably cost me $20 in either a Linksys or Netgear
> > >flavor.
>
> > >Looking for opinions on this planned router swap or other
> > >suggestions. thx
>
> > I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
> > possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
> > <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>
>
> > --
> > Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> > John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> > Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> > Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
>
> Actually, I was going to pick up a Netgear 802.11g router, not a
> Linksys. It's the old Linksys B router that I was going to dumb-down
> to be just a 4-port switch. The reference to DD-WRT, while I do use a
> couple of Samba devices, why would I want the Linux provisioning?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

It just occurred to me that there are 2 ways I can hook this up and 1
may provide better wireless connectivity than another. 1, I can
connect my modem to my current wireless-disabled 802.11b router and
use a patch cord from one of its ports to the newer 802.11g router, or
2., I can connect the modem directly to the new 801.11g router and
then connect a patch cord to the old wireless-disabled 802.11b router
being used as a switch. What it comes down to is should my active
router be hanging off of the modem or off of the switch?

On 5 Mar 2007 10:16:17 -0800, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed). com>:

>On Mar 5, 12:12 pm, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:

>> 1. Buffalo is better than Netgear (IMnsHO at least).
>> 2. DD-WRT is much more flexible and powerful than stock firmware --
>> check the list of features.
>> 3. This has nothing to do with running Linux or Samba -- Linux is just
>> the software platform for the router firmware.

>Thanks, John for the clarification. So I should be able to use the
>old Linksys wireless router as just a 4-port 10/100 switch?

Yes -- turn off the DHCP server, and use just the LAN ports.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On 5 Mar 2007 10:40:04 -0800, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) m>:

>> > >I am considering extending the wired part of my network. I currently
>> > >have a Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4-port switch and rather
>> > >than extending with a wired 5-port switch, I am considering spending
>> > >just a little bit more for an 802.11g Wireless router with 4-port
>> > >switch and disabling the wireless functionality of my current wireless
>> > >router and simply patching it in as a 4-port switch. Netgear 801.11g
>> > >routers are as low as $39 almost everywhere now, while the wired 5-
>> > >port switch will probably cost me $20 in either a Linksys or Netgear
>> > >flavor.

>> > I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
>> > possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
>> > <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>

>It just occurred to me that there are 2 ways I can hook this up and 1
>may provide better wireless connectivity than another. 1, I can
>connect my modem to my current wireless-disabled 802.11b router and
>use a patch cord from one of its ports to the newer 802.11g router, or

That will work fine _if_ you configure the 802.11g router as a wireless
access point, as described in the How To wiki below. (Be sure to turn
off the 802.11b wireless.)

>2., I can connect the modem directly to the new 801.11g router and
>then connect a patch cord to the old wireless-disabled 802.11b router
>being used as a switch.

That will work fine if you turn off the DHCP server in the 802.11b
router and just use the LAN ports.

> What it comes down to is should my active
>router be hanging off of the modem or off of the switch?

Either configuration will work, but I would strongly favor #1 since
you'd be using newer router firmware.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Mar 5, 2:18 pm, John Navas <spamfilt...@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2007 10:40:04 -0800, "gkamiene...@hotmail.com"
> <gkamiene...@hotmail.com> wrote in
> <1173120004.032017.27...@8g2000cwh.googlegroups.co m>:
>
>
>
> >> > >I am considering extending the wired part of my network. I currently
> >> > >have a Linksys 802.11b wireless router with 4-port switch and rather
> >> > >than extending with a wired 5-port switch, I am considering spending
> >> > >just a little bit more for an 802.11g Wireless router with 4-port
> >> > >switch and disabling the wireless functionality of my current wireless
> >> > >router and simply patching it in as a 4-port switch. Netgear 801.11g
> >> > >routers are as low as $39 almost everywhere now, while the wired 5-
> >> > >port switch will probably cost me $20 in either a Linksys or Netgear
> >> > >flavor.
> >> > I suggest Buffalo instead of Linksys for the new router, making it
> >> > possible to run DD-WRT should you ever need/want to do so. $38 at
> >> > <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162173>
> >It just occurred to me that there are 2 ways I can hook this up and 1
> >may provide better wireless connectivity than another. 1, I can
> >connect my modem to my current wireless-disabled 802.11b router and
> >use a patch cord from one of its ports to the newer 802.11g router, or
>
> That will work fine _if_ you configure the 802.11g router as a wireless
> access point, as described in the How To wiki below. (Be sure to turn
> off the 802.11b wireless.)
>
> >2., I can connect the modem directly to the new 801.11g router and
> >then connect a patch cord to the old wireless-disabled 802.11b router
> >being used as a switch.
>
> That will work fine if you turn off the DHCP server in the 802.11b
> router and just use the LAN ports.
>
> > What it comes down to is should my active
> >router be hanging off of the modem or off of the switch?
>
> Either configuration will work, but I would strongly favor #1 since
> you'd be using newer router firmware.
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Last question. I will be able to use the 3 ports remaining on the
first unit and the 4 ethernet ports on the new router for a total of 7
drops, correct?