[Stayfair11]

I'm a networking novice and a computer hobbiest...

I have set up a LAN at home using the Linksys Ethernet Cable/DSL router with a 4 port switch (2PC's). Everything works great. They share files, printer and internet connection.

I'm interested in upping it to gigabit service and I saw a 5 port switch from Linksys that would be perfect.

My concern is it does not seem to have the built in firewall that my current Linksys router has. How do I, and what do I need to buy to use the gigabit switch safely here at home?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding things here...do I use the gigabit 5 port switch WITH the 4 port router I currently have?

Do I hook up my Internet connection to the 10/100 router (like it currently is - since my internet connection speed is only 3Mbps) and then hook the 10/100 router to the gigabit switch, then hook the computers up to the switch (instead of the router)

This would seem to give my LAN the gigabit speed I'm looking for and still provide me with the firewall protection from the 10/100 router that I need.

I hope my question is clear enough...I really appreciate any assistance.

Thanks.

Tom

(I know I need to buy new gigabit NIC's)

 

[JohnWill]

First off, I'd prepare to be disappointed in the improvement you'll get with gigabit connections between typical desktop computers. I have four computers with gigabit NICs, and the increase in writing speed to remote computers has increased about 15-20%, hardly enough to justify the expense. If you have a real server O/S installed, you'll get some real benefit from gigabit backing up to the server, in that configuration, I'm seeing about 2.5-3.0 times the write speed as 100mbit connections.

To answer the question about how to use it, you keep your router and just use the gigabit switch connected to one port, then connect the gigabit equipped machines to the gigabit switch.

 

[Stayfair11]

Thanks for the quick reply John...

That's too bad that I should expect to be disappointed...I was really hoping for a dramatic improvement over the 10/100 set up I currently have.

I may try it anyway just for the limited improvement now and down the road if I need to improve more, I'll look into what you mentioned about setting up a server. As far as cost goes, I've seen a few on ebay in the $50 - $75 range...if I could get one for that price it wouldn't be much more than I paid for my current 10/100 Linksys router.

I'm stubborn in that I pulled Cat5e throughout my whole house so I'd like to maximize the benefits that Cat5e provides over wireless.

I'm happy to hear that the setup is simple and pretty much as I thought it would be.

Thanks again for your time...

Tom

 

[wedor]

And if you are expecting any increase in internet performance you will definitely be disappointed since there will be none.

 

[Stayfair11]

Originally posted by wedor:
And if you are expecting any increase in internet performance you will definitely be disappointed since there will be none.

Not at all looking for an increase in internet performance...my cable service is 3Mbps down so I have that more than covered.

Just looking for better performance between PC's on my LAN.