time for a new network

[ I posted this in alt.comp.networking.routers as well. However, the
traffic there is much less. Hoping to find some help here in spite of
this not being a wireless problem. Thanks for understanding. ]

In the course of replacing my cable modem, I discovered that the raw
Internet throughput coming out of the cable modem is 12 Mb/sec, while
the Internet throughput coming out of my five year old SMC 8-port
router is only 5 Mb/sec. After five happy years with no hardware issues
it is time for an upgrade.

I do need the 8 ports as I have 6 active right now (including printer,
wireless access point and game machine).

After some research I am wondering if I am better off trying to find an
8 port router or a 4 port router and an 8 port gigabit switch.

The advantage of the gigabit switch is for copying files locally -
mainly for doing backups but I also run a desktop as the file server
for all the other machines. I saw some postings about super performance
on the gigabit LAN using jumbo packets (MTU). However, now that I'm
searching for faster Internet throughput from my network, I don't want
an extra device if it will slow me down much.

Alternatively, a single 8 port router is one less device in my path and
one less device to deal with. However, 8 port routers are much less
common in the consumer space.

Finally, in either configuration, I could add wireless capability to
the new router. This would be in addition to the existing wireless on
another floor. I assume they can work together and have laptops
seemlessly move between the router and the existing access point. I
wouldn't dare try this unless they were from the same manufacturer.
Since my access point is Linksys, then either I get a Linksys router or
replace the existing Linksys access point too.

Performance, ease of maintenance and future proofing the setup is more
important than spending a few extra dollars to do it right. Good
security and protection from the Internet is also something I require
of the router.

If you made it this far, please feel free to share your thoughts or
opinions.

BTW, In looking up a few routers, I can't seem to find any published
specs on Internet degradation through the devices. How is this
characterized?

Thanks in advanced.

Tired Techie

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

>BTW, In looking up a few routers, I can't seem to find any published
>specs on Internet degradation through the devices. How is this
>characterized?
>Tired Techie

See charts at:
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,156/?chart=124>
in the WAN to LAN Throughput results. (Note that your SMC is at the
very bottom of the list). If you impliment a few filters and ACL's,
your throughput will be somewhat less than the numbers show.


--
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 20 Jan 2007 07:48:13 -0800, in alt.internet.wireless , "Tired
Techie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>After some research I am wondering if I am better off trying to find an
>8 port router or a 4 port router and an 8 port gigabit switch.

8-port routers ar expensive (they fall out of the "consumer" bracket
and into SoHo), go for the switch and separate router.

>The advantage of the gigabit switch is for copying files locally -

yup, might be useful.

>Finally, in either configuration, I could add wireless capability to
>the new router. This would be in addition to the existing wireless on
>another floor. I assume they can work together and have laptops
>seemlessly move between the router and the existing access point. I
>wouldn't dare try this unless they were from the same manufacturer.

Not necessary - they all conform to the Standard, so are
interoperable. I have an Actiontec and SMC, no issues.

>BTW, In looking up a few routers, I can't seem to find any published
>specs on Internet degradation through the devices. How is this
>characterized?

No idea, you may need to explain what you mean by that.
--
Mark McIntyre

On 20 Jan 2007 07:48:13 -0800, "Tired Techie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
in <(E-Mail Removed). com>:

>[ I posted this in alt.comp.networking.routers as well. However, the
>traffic there is much less. Hoping to find some help here in spite of
>this not being a wireless problem. Thanks for understanding. ]

Not a good reason -- only wireless belongs here.

>In the course of replacing my cable modem, I discovered that the raw
>Internet throughput coming out of the cable modem is 12 Mb/sec, while
>the Internet throughput coming out of my five year old SMC 8-port
>router is only 5 Mb/sec. After five happy years with no hardware issues
>it is time for an upgrade.
>
>I do need the 8 ports as I have 6 active right now (including printer,
>wireless access point and game machine).
>
>After some research I am wondering if I am better off trying to find an
>8 port router or a 4 port router and an 8 port gigabit switch.

The latter. Also, look for a router with sufficient horsepower to
handle your cable Internet speed.

>The advantage of the gigabit switch is for copying files locally -
>mainly for doing backups but I also run a desktop as the file server
>for all the other machines. I saw some postings about super performance
>on the gigabit LAN using jumbo packets (MTU). However, now that I'm
>searching for faster Internet throughput from my network, I don't want
>an extra device if it will slow me down much.

I doubt that you'll see much difference versus 100 Mbps.

>Finally, in either configuration, I could add wireless capability to
>the new router.

OK -- that at least makes it relevant to this newsgroup.

>This would be in addition to the existing wireless on
>another floor. I assume they can work together and have laptops
>seemlessly move between the router and the existing access point.

Not necessarily -- seamless roaming is still a black art, and many
wireless clients will stubbornly try to stay connected to an existing
access point even when a better connection becomes available with the
same SSID.

>I
>wouldn't dare try this unless they were from the same manufacturer.

With low end gear that generally doesn't make much difference. Just set
the same SSID and security, and put them on different minimally
overlapping channels (1, 6, 11).

>Since my access point is Linksys, then either I get a Linksys router or
>replace the existing Linksys access point too.

This is controlled more by wireless client software than the access
point.

>Performance, ease of maintenance and future proofing the setup is more
>important than spending a few extra dollars to do it right. Good
>security and protection from the Internet is also something I require
>of the router.

Consider running DD-WRT on a suitable wireless router. I use and
recommend the Buffalo high power unit.

>If you made it this far, please feel free to share your thoughts or
>opinions.
>
>BTW, In looking up a few routers, I can't seem to find any published
>specs on Internet degradation through the devices. How is this
>characterized?

In general it isn't. Look for benchmark tests on wireless networking
sites.

--
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>