Please check my home network plans

OpenToSuggestions · 31 Jul 2009 at 22:22

I plan to do the following as my room has big metal beams and the wireless is frequently cutting out:

The switch I plan to use is:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-030-EX

With these sort of cables:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-135-BE&groupid=46&catid=1453&subcat=
Is cat5e the right sort?

The modem router is wireless and has 4 ethernet ports but as the cables are to go up into the roof/loft I want to minimise cabling by using one cable from the modem/router up into the roof, therefore I want a hub/switch up there.

Is what I have drawn in the picture OK?
My networking knowledge is limited.
Thanks

EDIT: Just to check, I do NOT want crossover cables, is this right?

Deaco · 31 Jul 2009 at 22:33

Everything seems ok, stick to straight (not crossover cable) and you should be ok.

OpenToSuggestions · 31 Jul 2009 at 22:58

I am currently wired to the modem/router but there are cables all over the place.

If I am to introduce this hub switch thing is it a case of plug and play - Just like a USB hub is?

Phemo · 31 Jul 2009 at 23:22

Yes, a simple unmanaged home switch has no configuration at all so you just plug it in and that's it.

Dist · 31 Jul 2009 at 23:23

The sort of switch you will use will be plug and play, it will not require any setup or configuration.

Tuvoc · 31 Jul 2009 at 23:53

You might want a gigabit switch ? I don't think that one is.

OpenToSuggestions · 31 Jul 2009 at 23:56

Tuvoc said:
You might want a gigabit switch ? I don't think that one is.

The one I mentioned isn't a gigabit.
THe modem/router is 100mbps but I realise if we are using a switch then the speed gets divided up again.

Am I right in saying 100mpbs can get roughly 10mb per second? The switch will only be used for LAN gaming, internet and internet gaming.

Phemo · 1 Aug 2009 at 00:14

100Mbit equates to 12.5MB/sec, in theory. In reality, depending on your kit you can indeed see around 10MB/sec.

Your router has a 100Mbit switch built into it and if you have another switch plugged into that, they'll be able to transfer 100Mbit between them. Therefore, if you had a PC plugged into the router's switch and another plugged into the seperate switch, they would get full 100Mbit connectivity between the two. That'd only slow down if a 3rd/4th PC was hooked upto either one of the switches and was also utilising a sizable portion of the bandwidth between the two.

OpenToSuggestions · 1 Aug 2009 at 14:21

Anyone got any other comments before I make my decision?

teaboy5 · 1 Aug 2009 at 17:09

Why use a switch? Just run two cables from the router.

OpenToSuggestions · 1 Aug 2009 at 17:29

teaboy5 said:
Why use a switch? Just run two cables from the router.

The router is in parents room next to the phone socket and it has taken me months to get them to agree with 1 cable going up into the roof.