Entire Network Upgrade 10/100 to Gigabit g/b to -n

I would like to upgrade/update my entire home network and I'm seeking any advice specifically on hardware purchasing.

My current home network consists of the following

- ADSL Broadband
- Netgear DG834v2 4 port wired ADSL router
- Netgear DG834v3 4 port 54mpbs wireless ADSL router

The wireless router is wired to the wired router to extend my wired capabilities while allowing wireless. Basically, giving my wired network wireless options.

Wired Connections
- Dell Dimension 5150 PC with Intel PRO/100 VE Network Adapter (Ethernet)
- Dell PowerEdge SC440 PC with Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
- XBOX 360 Wired (standard) 10/100 ethernet
- XBOX with XBMC Wired x 2 (standard) Integrated 10/100BASE-TX wired ethernet

All wired connections are done with standard CAT5/CAT5e Cabling, all are fairly short wires except one which reaches about 7 metres.

Wireless Connections
- Samsung N110 with Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300 - Network adapter (draft n)
- Dell 1501 Laptop with Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN mini-Card 802.11
- HP Laptop with Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g Wifi Adapter
- Dell Dimension 8400 with Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter 802.11g 54Mbps

All the above wireless connections also have wired connections but they only use they're wireless, for the sake of upgrading I can consider wired where it's more suitable.

Other wireless connections
- Nintendo Wii (standard) Mitsumi DWM-W004 Wifi 802.11b/g wireless module
- Nintendo DS Lite x 2 (standard) 802.11 wifi
- Blackberry Pearl 8120 (standard)

I think that's about it.

The Wii/DS's and Blackberry Pearl aren't really a concern as far as upgrading and the effects on the upgraded network although I am interested in hearing anything relevant to them.

I don't have an expansive knowledge of networking but I think I know enough to know sort of what I'm after as far as upgrading.

Firstly the wired network.

I'd like to take this up a notch, move from 10/100 to Gigabit ethernet. I think stepping up to 10 Gigabit would be too much, right?

Ok, I need a router which supports gigabit right? I need a gigabit router that can support atleast 2 or more gigabit connections, I think. I really do like my netgear routers, I've had them for many years and they've been solid as a rock but as it's time for an upgrade I don't mind considering other brands. i'm assuming backward compatibility will still be supportable, if say for the XBOX's I need 10/100?

So I'd be looking at replacing the wired connection in my Dell 5150. I think the Dell SC440 has gigabit support, if anyone can verify it's ok that'd be handy.

As for the XBOX's running XBMC I'm not sure I can do anything here, i'll look into mods for upgrading the ethernet adapter but i'm guessing it's a no no.

As for the XBOX 360, same as above, although it may have more support in upgrading? Possibly even going wireless but again not sure if the 360 can support wireless draft -n?

So, what's the best gigabit ethernet card for my upgrade (Dell 5150) and if necessary for any other wired connection (Dell SC440)?

Secondly - Wireless network.

Ok, again the router obviously needs updating as a starting point. Same as the other router although more specific. Obviously need the draft n support, I'd also ideally like dual band support for 5Ghz. I think you can get wirless N routers with gigabit support to. I still want 2 routers as I need the additional wired ports. Unless there is an all in one solution like 8 ports for gigabit, 10/100 and wireless n with dual band. Any recommendations appreciated. Anything else I may need to consider just let me know.

Ok for the Dell laptop 1501, Dell Dimension 8200 and the HP laptop they all need wireless n adapters. So I need suggestions on those that will compliment the rest of the hardware. The Dell 8200 can take an internal card PCI so doesn't have to have USB which kinda blows anyway.

Thirdly - Cabling

i'm assuming i'll have to upgrade all my wired cabling for best throughput, so would CAT6 be the way to go, or is there something better. Again as with everything specifics would be great, if you can point me to where the hardware can be purchased or what it is exactly.

Well that's all I think as far as what hardware I need to upgrade. I'd like to hear or read anything that may help. Obviously I have a quite expansive network so things could get complicated. I know certain device just can not be upgraded and I'd like to know how that will effect the network.

For example with the nintendo wii and Ds's if they cannect to the wireless n router will all other devices that can support -n suffer? But will they improve when they're not connected? These devices wouldn't be connected all the time so I'm hoping I won't have to worry about a permanent slow down on the wireless with that.

If there's anything else you think would help me, please just give me a shout or anything else you need to know to advise me further just ask.

I'm figuring this could be expensive but also hoping it doesn't have to be overkill. I'm kinda flexible on pricing so my budget can accomodate any reasonable suggestions.

Many thanks in advance, i'll be constantly checking on replies.

 

A complete system upgrade in line with what you have described will be a somewhat lengthy [expensive] undertaking in more ways than one.

For example if you where to buy all the hardware and connect it up do not expect some of the components and more specifically the wireless ones to behave from the very begining. Equally wired component upgrades may well cause issues too.

However, if you are determined to upgrade, my advice would be to do this in stages making sure that the portion that you have done is tested then move on.

In respect of your upgrade question. Let me ask you a question first. When you talk of my entire home network are you sharing an internet connection with the various clients or have you networked the system ie sharing folders, etc.

If the former [which I suspect from your post] then of course you are aware that n products will in some cases [ie wired] not make any speed difference as your network's speed will merely remain a function of your internet speed. In practise you may of course get a measure of improvement [possibly on the wireless clients] simply because you purchasing newer/better technology.

Here are some further general points as regards the wireless clients.

Samsung N110 with Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300 - Network adapter (draft n)
- Dell 1501 Laptop with Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN mini-Card 802.11
- HP Laptop with Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g Wifi Adapter
- Dell Dimension 8400 with Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter 802.11g 54Mbps

You will need of course need to upgrade the b/g wireless cards on the 3 clients which have them. The laptop cards may be expensive [if available]. I would replace the usb wireless adapter with a pci version.

A general comment in respect of systems. The manner in which you are currently set up ie DG834 for router, adsl modem and a separate WAP which you are using as the DG834G is in my opinion the way to go.

Also if you have many wireless clients all accessing the same wap, then perhaps having 2 waps might be the way to go to avoid crowding. Perhaps using an n standard wap would ellininate that requirement, I do not know.

Other advantages to using separate units is that they will generated less heat. Some units are prone to overheating which causes problems.

I have always found that the wireless side is always the hardest to set up correctly/optimally. With separate units it is much easier to upgrade the router/adsl modem side without disturbing the wireless side.

FYG, my system uses a Speedtouch ST585v6 as router/adsl modem. Wireless functionality has been turned off. The ST585v6 is not that great for wireless and also the arial cannot be removed and replaced by a higher db one. I have 2 waps which are DG834G' v2 [the ariels on these can be removed and replaced]. One wap runs 'g' the other 'b'. I am slowly upgrading my wireless system [have 1 'b' now left] and this is the easiest way of doing it. When all my 'b' card will have been upgraded, I will retain both waps running on 'g' and this will balance out the wireless clients.

Apologies for rambling on.

Hope this has been of use.

Good Luck

 

Ok, I've been reading up alot and I've decided on a few things hardware wise.

Gigabit Switch

Looking at 2 models

- Netgear GS108
- Netgear GS608

Not much difference here as far as I can tell. Both have later revisions

I think Netgear GS108T and Netgear GS608 v2 that both support jumbo frames which is always a nice feature to have. Both price the same'ish

the 108 is more business oritentated product and 608 home based. So unless there's any reason why I shouldn't get one of these as my switch?

Gigabit NIC's

Found a few after researching. Most popular is Intel's brand

- Intel pro/1000 GT Dekstop Adapter
- Intel pro/1000 MT Desktop Adapter
- Netgear GA311 Gigabit Adapter

All support 10/100/1000 which is all I need to know.

I think the Intel MT is a older version and GT being the new, I'm not sure what the diffference are if any and whether it matters. If the chipset is different and if it matters?

Again all price the same'ish. GT slightly more as the newer model. I can pick up the MT's really cheap so I'd go for them unless there was a valid reason to go for say GT?