Wiring Help...High Qualitly Diagram Included

[12twelve12]

OK...not really high quality. Not even semi-ok quality but...

Diagram

Questions:

1) Would it be better to put a network switch in between the router and the connected devices (PC's/Xbox) in order to improve internet connection when multiple devices are being used at the same time?

2) I want to connect the Blu-ray player to the internet since it has Netflix & Pandora streaming without having to run another cable under the house and without having to unplug from Xbox, plug into Blu-ray time after time. So I'm guessing I need a switch at the Xbox/Blu-ray player location. If the answer to question 1 is "yes" then do you see any problem with having 2 switches at the above mentioned location?

Thank you

[glc]

You can put switches anywhere you want between the router and devices. Switches do NOT improve anything, they only allow for port expansion.

Looking at your diagram, this is what I'd do for optimum performance. Get 2 switches - put one in the living room and the second in either the family room or the bedroom. Connect the existing cable in the living room to the switch, connect the Xbox and the Bluray to it. You can also connect the laptop to it to improve things, wired is always better than wireless. You can have both adapters active so you can disconnect for portability.

The purpose of the second switch is to open a port so you can connect the printer wired instead of wireless, again to improve reliability.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by glc You can put switches anywhere you want between the router and devices. Switches do NOT improve anything, they only allow for port expansion. Looking at your diagram, this is what I'd do for optimum performance. Get 2 switches - put one in the living room and the second in either the family room or the bedroom. Connect the existing cable in the living room to the switch, connect the Xbox and the Bluray to it. You can also connect the laptop to it to improve things, wired is always better than wireless. You can have both adapters active so you can disconnect for portability. The purpose of the second switch is to open a port so you can connect the printer wired instead of wireless, again to improve reliability.

Awesome! Thank you GLC. Would a couple of these be a decent choice?

EDIT: or a couple of these? Guess the only difference is that the more expensive one is 10/100/1000Mbps while the cheaper is 10/100Mbps. Would I even see a difference in either since my internet speeds are 20Mbps down/5Mbps up?

[glc]

A Gigabit switch will not do anything for you in this scenario unless devices connected to it have Gigabit adapters and you routinely transfer files between them across the network. I use cheap 10/100 Rosewill switches.

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by glc A Gigabit switch will not do anything for you in this scenario unless devices connected to it have Gigabit adapters and you routinely transfer files between them across the network. I use cheap 10/100 Rosewill switches.

Makes sense. Just a couple more questions please...

-crossover ethernet cables: Are they required going from router to switch or from switch to switch or can I just use the regular patch cables?

-For the Xbox/Blu-ray switch: do I go from router to that switch or do I route it from the 1st switch which will be placed in the bedroom to the Xbox/Blu-ray switch? Did that make sense?

[not important]

Crossover cables aren't necessary....Regular cables will do fine.

[glc]

Straight cables are fine as long as the switch either has an uplink port or autosensing ports.

Try to connect switches directly to routers rather than daisy chaining them.

[12twelve12]

Great info guys. So based on what you have said I will set it up like THIS. Look OK?

[glc]

Yep!

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by glc Connect the existing cable in the living room to the switch, connect the Xbox and the Bluray to it. You can also connect the laptop to it to improve things, wired is always better than wireless.

GLC- I don't think I want to run a cable from the Xbox/Blu-ray switch to the couch where I sometimes sit with my laptop as you suggested but I would like to improve the wireless signal in that area. What would be the best way given the last diagram I showed you?

-Can a wifi extender plug directly into one of the switch ports?
-Is there such a device that would act as an wifi extender and switch so that I can kill 2 birds with one stone?

[glc]

What brand , model, and exact revision is your wireless router?

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by glc What brand , model, and exact revision is your wireless router?

Supplied by Verizon: Actiontec MI424-WR Rev. D "Fiber Router"

[glc]

I would connect a simple wireless access point into a switch. Give it the same SSID as your main router, but put it on a different channel. Use one that can be used as a DHCP client, or be very mindful what IP address you assign to it. I have used this one and it works very well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156159

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by glc I would connect a simple wireless access point into a switch. Give it the same SSID as your main router, but put it on a different channel. Use one that can be used as a DHCP client, or be very mindful what IP address you assign to it. I have used this one and it works very well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156159

Much appreciated!

[12twelve12]

Sweet...looks like my local parts shop (www.enuinc.com) has just 2 models of wireless access points and one of them is the TRENDnet that GLC suggested. I'll be picking that baby up come Monday!

[glc]

To configure it, it ships with a static IP of 192.168.1.100 by default. This is in the Actiontec's subnet so you can probably leave that as is.