Windows 7: Which switch to add or just upgrade router???

Home network upgrade time...

I have...



2 phones (wifi)
home server (gig lan) - this one is in the works, waiting on a new PSU
home office PC (dual gigabit lan)
backup PC/WMC PC (gigabit lan)
Ipad (wifi)
Laptop (usually wifi but sometimes wired connection)

Right now I have the Comcast 22/5 service here at home with their Netgear wireless N router. I'm out of connections on the back of the router.

Should I add a gig switch and take the speed hit to the 100mb router or upgrade to a router with gigabit connections?


Best place to get cat 6 cables?

I don't have experience adding switches, but you should be aware that if you get a new router, you'll have to get one that can clone the MAC address of your current router, otherwise it will be a real pain to get Comcast working again. At least that was my experience with them.

And I always recommend TigerDirect for things like cables. They have really good prices, fast shipping, and a good selection. TigerDirect CAT 6 Cables

Hope this helps you!

Your current router may have the ability to act as a switch when coupled with another router so you may want to check at the manufacturers website, if this is the case it may give you some other options to think about.

Just to clarify terminology - All a router does is connect (or isolate) two networks. BUT most home-type routers INCLUDE a 4-port Ethernet switch in the same box. It is important to understand the router and the 4-port switch are two, discrete, and independent network "appliances" that just happen to be integrated in the same box - just as a sound card or NIC might be integrated with a motherboard.

To that end, there is no such thing as a "wireless router" either. That is a marketing term to indicate the box ALSO includes a WAP - wireless access point - in the same box.

So with that, you should be able to disable the router feature and use the 4-port switch side but as you note - that will not be at 1Gb speeds. Therefore, if you want full speeds across your network, you will need to add a 1Gb switch. This is a simple process of simply connecting the "upstream" port of the switch to one of the Ethernet ports of the router's integrated switch, then connecting your other network devices to the new 1Gb switch. However, unless you stream video across your network, it is not likely you will see any speed improvement by going to 1Gb. And a 1Gb network does not affect in any way your Internet speeds.

Make your own. "Invest" in a quality crimping tool. Use good connectors and a tester (optional - but really convenient). In this way, you build your cables the length you need. And if running cables through walls, ceilings, or floors, you don't have to drill huge holes for the connectors. You will certainly ruin several connectors at first until you learn the proper strategic placement of tongue (that's where the tester comes in handy). But once you become proficient, you won't regret it. Your network (and behind your desk) will also look much more tidy, clean, and professional.

Thank you, and my apologies for the incorrect terminology. TCP/IP in 14 days was one of the most tedious books for me to ever read. I was looking for recommendations on which home networking products to use. I've since just emailed a handful of people on craigslist with swtiches to add to my current setup. I need 6 ports with gigabit speed, and the ability to connect 7 devices wirelessly. My routers WAP now easily handles what I throw at it with wireless devices.
The reason I was considering just adding a(an additional) switch to the router I use already was that my internet connection is 22/5 from comcast, which would never be able to saturate a 100mbps connection. I do have a business computer, backup, home server, and both me and the gf's laptops constantly connected transferring pics, music and videos.

Well there are several 8-port Gigabit Ethernet Switches to choose from and note the closing paragraph,

I know its taboo to bump old threads, but this advice to buy my own cable, connectors and crimper then cut the cables to length was the best advice I've had when using computers or building networks.

FWIW I built 8 cables of varying lengths and didn't mess one single connector up.