From a networking point of view, you need to make sure the switch has automatic MDI/MDI-X configuration (reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-MDIX#Auto-MDIX). This is the ability of a switch to detect a connection to another switch/router as opposed to a connection to a computer. Without Auto-MDI/MDI-X, the cable between the two switches/routers must be a crossover cable (reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cable).

 

Granted, most modern networking equipment has auto MDI/MDI-X built in but I would always check for it since I am always daisy-chaining (reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_(information_technology)) networking equipment together. This feature is also essential if you plan on connecting your broadband router (which still has 100BASE-T [reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Ethernet] ports) to your switch. Without it, you will need a crossover cable.

 

Rick

So is it suggested to have a gigabit switch connected to the router instead of a router with gigabit ports?

 

Edit: obviously beyond the fact of needing more ethernet ports then the router has built in.

I am also picking a Gigabit soulution while I build my unRaid box...I kinda like Netgear 16 and 24 port equipment. I haven't made a final selection, I am still considering Netgear and Dell (like the 53xx Layer 3 PowerConnect series). The thing that I like about the Dell is that your can choose to manage your network topography over the web or SMTP, in "Managed" mode or "Unmanaged" mode - which is lots like buying a Netgear JGS524 - 24 port, jumbo framed, unmanaged Layer 2 switch. If you need the additional capability, you can manage the switch yourself, or go unmanaged. It's about the same price for the PowerConnect refurbed as the Netgear is new.

 

I love my Netgear WNR834B - it has never missed a beat in 3 years. You can mod it with DD-WRT, too, if that is your bag. I have not ever gotten it to do Bridging at all, that is my only complaint (it might, if I flashed both units with DD-WRT!). The 834 is just 10/100, though...not Gigabit. Since I want to move all the networking stuff into a rack mount with my unraid server when it is finished and I already have wired drops all over my house and I want to stream to various devices, gigabit networking is nearly a prerequisite.

I run with a Tenda TEG1024D 24 Port Gigabit Switch. Cheap as chips but you probably get what you pay for. Does have a fan for cooling (doesn't bother me as in a closet)

 

All works on gigabit and is on 24/7. Costs about $165Aus which i believe is about the same in US dollar terms.

 

Josh

We used to use Dells at work, but now we're HP Procurve only.  They are fast and bullet proof, and you can even get a nice 16 port (which imo is a great SOHO size) for less than $200 with a lifetime warranty from HP.

Good to know - lots of procurve love in here. My workplace uses Cisco mostly, but my pockets aren't that deep.

 

 

So is it suggested to have a gigabit switch connected to the router instead of a router with gigabit ports?

 

Edit: obviously beyond the fact of needing more ethernet ports then the router has built in.

 

It's my opinion that a 10/100 router with the ability to flash Tomato or DDWRT firmware, then connecting the router to an 8 or 16 port gigabit switch can be far more reliable and likely lower cost than a gigabit router. newegg has two soho gb routers, and they only have 4 ports each. I think you'll have better performance and expandability from a flash-able 10/100 router and a gigabit switch.

 

You can see in my network (server is not yet installed) I've got two gigabit switches. Modem, router, DLink switch, and eventual unRAID server are in the master bedroom's closet where a network panel with four network cables that terminate in various room is in the wall.

Encore switch, Weston, Scooter, and the printer are in the office. HTPC is in the room adjacent to the office.

 

It's possible to do very well in a soho environment with consumer equipment that's manageable and managed well.

 

 

 

When I built hom 12 years ago it was wired with Cat 5.  As I needed more capacity I used cat 5-e.

 

The router feeds 4 8 port 10/100 switches.  Some rooms have a second switch downstream  I doubt if any single run is over 100 feet and doubt if any total run is over 150 feet. The maximum number of hops from the main switches to a host is two.

 

The network runs just about a 0 error rate with normally low traffic.  Traffic is only high (about 40% utilization when streaming movies or ripping a BR), and even then no errors.

 

Okay now; what are the opinions on upgrading to Gigabit switches (most hosts have Gbit capability) without massive cable change

 

When I built hom 12 years ago it was wired with Cat 5.  As I needed more capacity I used cat 5-e.

 

...

 

Okay now; what are the opinions on upgrading to Gigabit switches (most hosts have Gbit capability) without massive cable change

 

Your Cat 5e runs should be able to handle gigabit traffic, so cabling should be fine.

It's my opinion that a 10/100 router with the ability to flash Tomato or DDWRT firmware, then connecting the router to an 8 or 16 port gigabit switch can be far more reliable and likely lower cost than a gigabit router.

 

+1

Thanks for the opinion on Cat-5e.  I was not too clear,  What is the opinion on the Cat 5 runs?

Cat five will not run gigabit. 5e or better is required.

I just start replacing all my cable with CAT6.

 

I am hoping to wire my house in the next year or so and all of those runs will be CAT6.

 

Monoprice.com has ANY cables you could really ever want.

Monoprice is great (I get all my hdmi and patch cables from them), but shipping heavy stuff across the border (Canada!) can be costly. I ended up sourcing a 1000' spool of Plenum-rated (CMP) Cat6A (10GB) off of Ebay for a very reasonable price ($350 to my door).

 

Though my network is Gigabit right now, the cost difference between Cat6 and Cat6A was not too large, and I figured in 5-10 years, 10GB Networking will be the standard...