Update 1: Added DD-WRT flashing instructions about 10 or 15 posts down
I am upgrading my network this week. I have Cable Internet and I am going to wire up my place with 10/100 plus wireless. Just thought I'd share my setup:
Motorola SB5120 Cable Modem $54
Buffalo WHR-G54S - $40
Dell 16-port 10/100 unmanaged switch - $48
My Motorola SB3100 Cable Modem is getting a little old and is on the fritz, so I decided to upgrade it to an SB5120. I chose the Buffalo router so that I could load the DD-WRT aftermarket firmware on it. There are two models from Buffalo that are worth looking at, the WHR-G54S and the WHR-HP-G54. The WHR-HP-G54 has an integrated amp, which improves wireless range, but the WHR-G54S has a heatsink already installed, which is good for long-term cooling, especially if you plan on mounting it outdoors. The WHR-HP-G54 is about $17 more than the WHR-G54S. I decided to go with the WHR-G54S (the cheaper model) due to the heatsink and the fact that it is touted as cheapest 100% DD-WRT compatible wireless router available. Plus it looks nice
To give you a little more background on DD-WRT, it is basically a free aftermarket firmware for various router models that expands the capabilities of the stock firmware. A word of warning: be sure to follow the instructions carefully or else you can "brick" (damage beyond repair) your router during the installation process. DD-WRT has a variety features; for a complete list click here. With DD-WRT you can do unique things like use another router as a wireless bridge, have dynamic and static IPs, setup VPN, and adjust the wireless transmitter's power.
I chose the Dell switch because they are running a sale on switches. The 16-port model is only $48; if you need more expansion capabilities they are also selling a 24-port model for $69. They also have a 24-port model with 2 Gigabit uplink ports for $104. You can take a look at those models here. The new standard is 10/100/1000 (Gigabit), so the 10/100 models are rapidly dropping in price, making it affordable to wire up your home on a budget for computers, TiVo, gaming systems, and so on. Gigabit is overkill for my home, but you might want to consider getting a Gigabit switch instead of a 10/100 model if you plan on doing a lot of file sharing in your network. As far as buying cables goes, I can't recommend MonoPrice enough. You can buy all different colors and sizes of CAT5E cable, or even CAT6 if you want to future-proof it.
Regarding types of switches, there are two kinds available: unmanaged and managed. For your home, you'll want to get an unmanaged switch. "Unmanaged" basically means plug and play - plug into your router and that's it, just attach your network devices and it does the rest, no other setup required. A "managed" switch can be configured to act like an unmanaged switch, but it will cost more and will be overkill for most home networks. If you do decide to go Gigabit and are only buying one switch, keep in mind that you don't necessarily need a Gigabit router since normal broadband Internet connections don't even hit 100Mbps, let alone 1000Mbps.
So here's the setup: RF cable line from wall --> Motorola Cable Modem --> Modified Buffalo wireless router --> Dell 16-port switch --> Network Devices (computers, game systems, etc.). I have several computers and other devices like an Xbox, TiVo, etc. and my home is not built for good wireless transmission (the walls block the signal too other rooms pretty well), so I will be able to more effectively network my hardware using wires. The wireless will be for my laptop and for my friend's laptops when they visit. (Update - I found out that my house walls *are* in fact lined with foil, which is wrapped around the insulation, thus inhibiting my wireless signal). It's amazing what you can get for your money nowadays. This network system will allow everything in my home to be wired together and have access to all of the resources, plus I have a more significant degree of control over my Internet connection and routing system.
I am upgrading my network this week. I have Cable Internet and I am going to wire up my place with 10/100 plus wireless. Just thought I'd share my setup:
Motorola SB5120 Cable Modem $54
Buffalo WHR-G54S - $40
Dell 16-port 10/100 unmanaged switch - $48
My Motorola SB3100 Cable Modem is getting a little old and is on the fritz, so I decided to upgrade it to an SB5120. I chose the Buffalo router so that I could load the DD-WRT aftermarket firmware on it. There are two models from Buffalo that are worth looking at, the WHR-G54S and the WHR-HP-G54. The WHR-HP-G54 has an integrated amp, which improves wireless range, but the WHR-G54S has a heatsink already installed, which is good for long-term cooling, especially if you plan on mounting it outdoors. The WHR-HP-G54 is about $17 more than the WHR-G54S. I decided to go with the WHR-G54S (the cheaper model) due to the heatsink and the fact that it is touted as cheapest 100% DD-WRT compatible wireless router available. Plus it looks nice
To give you a little more background on DD-WRT, it is basically a free aftermarket firmware for various router models that expands the capabilities of the stock firmware. A word of warning: be sure to follow the instructions carefully or else you can "brick" (damage beyond repair) your router during the installation process. DD-WRT has a variety features; for a complete list click here. With DD-WRT you can do unique things like use another router as a wireless bridge, have dynamic and static IPs, setup VPN, and adjust the wireless transmitter's power.
I chose the Dell switch because they are running a sale on switches. The 16-port model is only $48; if you need more expansion capabilities they are also selling a 24-port model for $69. They also have a 24-port model with 2 Gigabit uplink ports for $104. You can take a look at those models here. The new standard is 10/100/1000 (Gigabit), so the 10/100 models are rapidly dropping in price, making it affordable to wire up your home on a budget for computers, TiVo, gaming systems, and so on. Gigabit is overkill for my home, but you might want to consider getting a Gigabit switch instead of a 10/100 model if you plan on doing a lot of file sharing in your network. As far as buying cables goes, I can't recommend MonoPrice enough. You can buy all different colors and sizes of CAT5E cable, or even CAT6 if you want to future-proof it.
Regarding types of switches, there are two kinds available: unmanaged and managed. For your home, you'll want to get an unmanaged switch. "Unmanaged" basically means plug and play - plug into your router and that's it, just attach your network devices and it does the rest, no other setup required. A "managed" switch can be configured to act like an unmanaged switch, but it will cost more and will be overkill for most home networks. If you do decide to go Gigabit and are only buying one switch, keep in mind that you don't necessarily need a Gigabit router since normal broadband Internet connections don't even hit 100Mbps, let alone 1000Mbps.
So here's the setup: RF cable line from wall --> Motorola Cable Modem --> Modified Buffalo wireless router --> Dell 16-port switch --> Network Devices (computers, game systems, etc.). I have several computers and other devices like an Xbox, TiVo, etc. and my home is not built for good wireless transmission (the walls block the signal too other rooms pretty well), so I will be able to more effectively network my hardware using wires. The wireless will be for my laptop and for my friend's laptops when they visit. (Update - I found out that my house walls *are* in fact lined with foil, which is wrapped around the insulation, thus inhibiting my wireless signal). It's amazing what you can get for your money nowadays. This network system will allow everything in my home to be wired together and have access to all of the resources, plus I have a more significant degree of control over my Internet connection and routing system.