Office Networking questions

[kentuckyser]

I am starting up my own engineering firm, and I have a few questions regarding the network.

Background: I have experience wiring routers, hubs, internet, etc for home networking, but not office. I know the basics, that's it.

Info: I will have 5 workstation computers plug a laptop, I will also have a "server" computer which will act as network storage. I don't plan on having network logins or domains, just individual users on each local workstation. So basically, the "server" computer is acting as network storage and that's it.

I will be using a cable internet connection, and I need a wireless setup as well so I can bring my laptop to access the internet AND the LAN.

The motherboards on my workstations support 10/100/1000Mbps on the built-in ethernet. Can I design a network to take advantage of the 1000Mbps on the motherboard? Or am I limited to 10/100?

So far, I think I need:

1.) A switch of some sort.
2.) Wireless router?
3.) Cable modem (comes with internet contract)
4.) CAT5 or CAT6 cable

What else do I need? Can anyone recommend specific brands/models to purchase? Also, how do I go about installing and wiring these?

Thanks for the help.

[kentuckyser]

I think I just need to use a wireless router from the cable modem, and uplink to a 24 port switch. This should provide my LAN, and also my internet connection, right? Then, I'll just designate the HDD's on the "server" computer as my mapped network drives.

Will printer sharing be enabled like this?

[bailey]

use the cat-6 cable and make sure that all the network devices including the router will support the higher speed, and yes basicly that is all there is to it.

[kentuckyser]

So, I need to look for a switch with an uplink port. Then, run CAT6 from the modem to the wireless routers WAN port. Then, CAT6 from one of the LAN ports on the router to the uplink port on the switch. Then, all workstations connected to the switch will have internet?

Also, will I be able to control my switch like I can control a router? For example, can I change DHCP settings, port forwarding, IP addresses, etc from Internet Explorer? I know with my home router I can just login to 192.168.1.1 to change those settings.

[kentuckyser]

Ok, how about this setup.

Cable Modem - NG ProSafe Gigabit VPN Firewall (FVS124G) - ProSafe 24 Port Gigabit Smart Switch (GS724T)

Then, run a ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point (WG302) from the VPN Firewall so my laptop can connect.

Connect the server computer to the Firewall with a static ip address, and static ip address for the switch as well. Any comments?