Modem/Router into Switch - Possible ??

9designs2 · 17 Feb 2008 at 15:29

I have need to re jig my network set-up to be compliant with a music streaming devise/set up. (Linn Akurate DS)
Currently using a Billion 4 port/ wireless Modem router, 5200G.

Can I use it just as a Modem/Internet Firewall, and hook it up to a Netgear switch FS108 ?

As I need to run a NAS + Switch + Wireless Access Point, independently from the built in function in the 5200G.
Reason claimed is consumer grade one box solutions are not man enough.

Finally my Motherboard Asus Pk5e-wifi can be configured as "WAP" So I hope this saves on buying a stand alone device.

Any thoughts ?

9designs2 · 17 Feb 2008 at 15:53

The claimed reason, is the combined unit like a 5200 would have performance issues as it did all the jobs required. As it acts as a Modem, Router, WAP and DHCP server.
The need is to have uninterrupted or varying streaming through put to the audio device.
I am a little sceptical myself, just following the manufacturer's guide lines....
Sure if I was streaming, doing a MS service pack, and surfing all at once it my be a bit heavy for it..... but that would be a rare occurrence.

9designs2 · 17 Feb 2008 at 16:29

I am tempted just to try it, the BB here is now on ADSL2+, and my line is giving me speednet result of 8.8meg !!! Last night pulled a service pack out of MS at constant 1.04mb sec over the hardwired LAN. So kind of think it works quite well at present!

Wireless when I used it before was about 50% slower, pre ADSL2, I was getting 2meg wireless and 4.4 wired. Hence I laid some Cat5 in.

So might just add a NAS, Infrant Ready, item with Media Twonky pre installed.
It can do the DHCP if required.

So the reason given by Linn is :-

Minimum requirements:
• Must be a dedicated, stand alone switch. Linn recommends against using
the switches built into consumer grade ADSL routers, cable modems, or
wireless access points. The processing power of such devices is often
shared between its various functions and is therefore not always capable
of full performance.
• Must be either a 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps full duplex switch.
• Must be capable of fully utilising all ports simultaneously. On vendor’s
specification pages, this is sometimes listed under a category called the
“switch backplane” or the “switch bandwidth”. For an 8 port 100 Mbps
switch, this “switch bandwidth” should be 1.6 Gbps. This number comes
from 100 Mbps in, plus 100 Mbps out, times the 8 ports. For a 16 port
gigabit switch, the “switch bandwidth” would be 32 Gbps. (2*16*1000
Mbps).

9designs2 · 17 Feb 2008 at 18:50

Max rate is 24bit @ 192K, but most will be 16bit 44.1K from CD rips into FLAC.

9designs2 · 17 Feb 2008 at 23:36

Thanks for comments and advise, think I will just add an "affordable" NAS (QNAP TS-209 Pro) into my current set-up, and see how it does.

9designs2 · 9 Mar 2008 at 11:18

An update, as all is working.
Went for QNAP109 in the end, with a 400GB WD disk. Hooked into my Billion Modem etc. Works great, Was able to download close on 1meg a second FLAC files from Linn site, while the music was not interrupted.
Then copied the same files to the NAS, while it was still stream music to the "DAC", again no interruption in play back.

The 109 is great, fan less/quiet, runs all the software needed, and came to about 235 quid...bargain.... why didn't I buy one years ago !!! LOL
I now see Linn selling them, pre instaled with there music files, so I guess it's even "approved"