Home network suggestions

I'm going to help a fried setup a home network, and could use some
equipment suggestions. They have cable modem, 6 devices (computers,
network printer), three of the computers are wireless, and the operating
systems are Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux Ubuntu, and an Apple notebook.
The printer is a Brother laser printer with both wired and wireless
networking.

Here are my questions:

1. A router suggestion. 8-ports with wireless is needed, but I would
appreciate a make and model suggestion.

2. Router features that you would suggest. For example, 802.11a,b,g,n.

3. Anything else?

Thanks,
dave

On Sat, 26 Mar 2011 23:09:12 -0400, dave <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'm going to help a fried setup a home network, and could use some
>equipment suggestions. They have cable modem, 6 devices (computers,
>network printer), three of the computers are wireless, and the operating
>systems are Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux Ubuntu, and an Apple notebook.
> The printer is a Brother laser printer with both wired and wireless
>networking.
>
>Here are my questions:
>
>1. A router suggestion. 8-ports with wireless is needed, but I would
>appreciate a make and model suggestion.
>
>2. Router features that you would suggest. For example, 802.11a,b,g,n.
>
>3. Anything else?

If you're willing to do some reading, there's lots of info available
at <http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/> and I also suggest browsing their
forums at <http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/index.php>.

My personal choice of hardware suits my own needs well, but may not
meet your needs, so it's best to make your own informed decision.

Most home routers have 4 ports not 8. I'd suggest getting a 4-port home
wireless router and an additional 4-port switch. That will give you enough
open ports to allow connection for the 6 devices you named.

Which wireless rotuer features (a,b,g,n) will depend on the equipment you're
trying to connect. Will the Brother printer be connected wirelessly? What
wireless interface does it have? Same question for the wireless computers.
What wireless interface do they have? You'll want a wireless router that
will be compatible.

It doesn't matter about the varied operating systems. Once properly
configured, all the devices will connect properly.


dave wrote:
> I'm going to help a fried setup a home network, and could use some
> equipment suggestions. They have cable modem, 6 devices (computers,
> network printer), three of the computers are wireless, and the
> operating systems are Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux Ubuntu, and an
> Apple notebook. The printer is a Brother laser printer with both
> wired and wireless networking.
>
> Here are my questions:
>
> 1. A router suggestion. 8-ports with wireless is needed, but I would
> appreciate a make and model suggestion.
>
> 2. Router features that you would suggest. For example,
> 802.11a,b,g,n.
> 3. Anything else?
>
> Thanks,
> dave