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[deadparrot]

We're re-wiring our house right now and need to get a new router to support all the different machines and applications (everything from networked storage, to media streaming and remote terminal)...

It must have a minimum of 6 10/100/1000 Gigabit ethernet ports, 802.11b/g wireless (A and N might be nice, but not required), and it must NOT include a built-in ADSL/Cable modem.  We must use the one supplied by our ISP.

I will consider anything close to these specifications.  The most important bit is the number of ports.

[throwingks]

I don't know of any that are capable of that off the top of my head. Why not add a switch?

[deadparrot]

I just thought about that.  I never knew exactly what a switch did until I just looked it up.

Could you explain exactly how I'd get it to work with my existing router?  Do they handle DHCP as well?

Thanks.

[throwingks]

You plug the switch into your existing router. Your existing router handles all of the DHCP.

Your router tells all of the information in a network where to go. A switch is basically the physical ports but more intelligent than a hub. A router with more than 1 port is a router/switch. They are just never really labelled that.

A hub can also be the physical ports but all of the info is sent to every port, causing tons of lost information and speed. A switch is smarter than that. Alternatively, you can disable DHCP of another router and it becomes a switch.

I recommend you getting a 6 port or higher switch and letting your existing router handle DHCP. If you get a 6 port or higher switch you can plug all of your devices into it.

{internet}====={modem}====={router}====={switch}====={all 6 devices}

If you can avoid it, dont plug anything into the router except the switch. If all of the devices are plugged into the switch it is easier to manage workgroups and whatnot.

Here's a bit more info:
http://en.wikipedia..../Network_switch

[deadparrot]

Right, so the switch sends information about all the devices connected to it back to the router so it can handle all the DHCP stuff?  I've got static IP's being given to specific MAC addresses, will this still function though the switch?

Also, I'm looking at this switch since most of our other equipment is D-Link.

[throwingks]

Using the link you gave Click "Product Specs' or just click here:
http://www.dlink.com...p...=1894&sec=1

Under features it lists:
•   MAC Address Table: 8k

So I assume it can allow Static IPs based on MAC. I have never done it before so I am not 100% sure.

As far as the router handling all the DHCP stuff while using a switch, I have done that before and that works.

[deadparrot]

Excellent!  Thanks for your advice.

[EverestX]

throwingks pretty much hit the nail on the head, no need for a super router, Get a super switch!  A switch will really improve your local speeds for streaming from PC to PC, or PC to xbox.  Also, I get about 1-2 mb/s faster going through a switch for box to box x-fer than I do going through my router.

Also noted above, stay away from hubs, they are designed to distribute bandwidth, effectively, if you have a 5 port hub that is 10/100, at full use  (100mb/s in) each port only gets 20mb/s. So by using a hub, you are cutting your local B/w by a huge amount!  A switch on the other hand, can switch full load of 10/100 per port.

As for your question about the static Ip, switches operate on the 2nd layer of the OSI, so they are switching via mac anyway (rather than Ip like the router), so static or dynamic address will matter not to it.

Although I will say, I'm not aware of any decent brand gigabit router with wifi built in so that might be an issue. But you can most certainly plug in a wireless AP ( to the switch) and you are good to go.

[deadparrot]

I'll just use my existing router for wifi, then anything that is hardwired will go through the switch.