Network - Extending the home network

[bobbinz]

Sorry to ask what is probably a really daft question - probably covered before, (though I have checked - my search term is probably 'lacking')

I've had my 7800N router for nearly a year now - the security is easy to sort, got the house connected and secure, with 20-odd items on w/less dhcp.

What I'm looking at is hard-wiring a few of the higher data rate (read video) items together so they can talk to each other whilst still retaining internet access if they require it (NAS box, media server, home theatre system ... and maybe others)

To achieve this my simple approach would be connect a cisco (or similar) 8 port switch to one of the giga ports on the 7800N

Is the daisy-chain approach the way to go or am I going to struggle and will I need to follow any special setup or will the 7800 still administer the dhcp through the switch without further intervention?

My thoughts are to have the ports as follows:

Port1 -> 8 port switch -> Media Server
__________________ -> TV
__________________ -> Home Theatre System
__________________ -> etc
Port2 -> NAS box
Port3 -> Device 3
Port4 -> Device 4

Hope this makes sense and again sorry if it's already covered

Thanks in advance for any guidance

Tony

[gunny2k9]

Hi,

i dont have wired ethernet in this house for now as would be a bit complex to hide wires etc .... i did try use Homeplugs 200mb they worked for a bit bu things like microwave and oven made them drop connection all the time so gave that up...

insted i went a wireless router (bridge idea)

i now run BT modem.. CAT 6 to 7800n, CAT 6 COnnected to it are a Samsung Bluray Player, SKy+HD 500gb Box with Anytime+, An Onkyo AV AMP

then WIrelessly connect to that are :

1x ASUS RT-N16 Router (running TomatoUSB, in Wireless Ethernet Bridge Mode) ... that has CAT 6 connected to 2x Thecus N2100 NAS's, and 2x PC's (desktop and a Server)
1x ASUS RT-N16 Router (running TomatoUSB, in Wireless Ethernet Bridge Mode) .... thats CAT 6 connected to PS3,XBOX 360,PC and a Sky+HD 1TB box with Anytime+
1x Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH (running DD-WRT, in Wireless Ethernet Bridge Mode) .... thats CAT 6 connected to an Sky+HD 500gb box with Anytime+

i also have a TP-Link WR1043ND (running DD-WRT, in Wireless Ethernet Bridge Mode) ... that is a back up incase .

i ve had friends and family come and go with laptops and all works bloody good !!

so in essence daisy chain wired should work wonders ...

[knightnet]

I think the key thing would be to make sure that the switch you put in really can handle the throughput. Some of the cheap so called "gigabit" switches might not really handle the load.

Having said that, that's pretty much what I've got. I use a TP-Link gigabit switch.

However, since the router and switch are in the loft, I use a pair of 200MB Ethernet over Power plugs to connect the PVR up. I also have a WiFi extender, a superb Edimax 300mb device which can act as a hot-spot, extender, bridge or just about anything else. Both the Billion and the Edimax have excellent "reach". I reserve the routers Wifi for my own use (my laptop, iPhone & iPad) and everyone else uses the Edimax (3 other laptops, the Wii, an iPod Touch and an Android phone).

I have no problems with the plugs but did have lots of problems when I added a 3rd plug - although it was a different make so that was probably the issue. I understand you can get even fast plugs now.

[devbod]

Is the daisy-chain approach the way to go or am I going to struggle and will I need to follow any special setup or will the 7800 still administer the dhcp through the switch without further intervention?

My thoughts are to have the ports as follows:

Port1 -> 8 port switch -> Media Server
__________________ -> TV
__________________ -> Home Theatre System
__________________ -> etc
Port2 -> NAS box
Port3 -> Device 3
Port4 -> Device 4

Makes perfect sense and sounds a good design. Switch should simply be plug in and go, dhcp will work as normal. Should also have the benefit of allowing you to reboot the router without interrupting tv viewing.