Huge amounts of CAT5... arrgh

[(Shovel)]

OK, here's the plan (gotta love this map

Key:
Each black black is a room, each on a different level as indicated.
1,2,3 correspond to the level (1 at the top), and I'll refer to them.
Red boxes are computers wanting internet access.
The green box is the cabel modem.
The blue line is a Network cable.

Now: This was going to be easy until my brother in 1 decided to get a computer of his own.

We want all the computers to access the net through the cable modem, the wireless option is being explored in Embattles thread, but this is the conventional and cheap way of doing it.

We have, on level 3, a computer and a cable modem. We add to this a router (old PC with nix on it) and an inexpensive switch. Cat5 runs from my room (2) to 3 easily since that is simply replacing an older telephone/modem cable.
But, how to go from the top? Do I need to run a length of Cat5 from the top to the bottom, or could I put a second hub/switch on level two, and split off there? Not so much saving money on cable - the cost of a switch defeats that many times over, but it does rather elegantly get around the "twin tracked" cable laying challenge.

The second switch option is rather preferable, since cable laying in the house *is* very difficult. However, what I'm concerned about is whether that will easily plug in and work with the Router downstairs. Would it need to be aware of the second router? Or would it be able to do it's business all by itself?

E.g.

Cable
Modem ------------------------- Shiny Router
                                     |
                                     |
                                  Switch
                                  /    |
                                 /     |
                            Comp3      |
                                       |
                                       |
                                     Switch 2
                                    /       \
                                Comp2      Comp3

Suggestions? Have I got it all horribly wrong? Or would this crazy scheme really work?

 

[kameleon]

I would just fit another NIC in pc two and run an xover cable to pc 1. Bridge the connection to pc 3 and bobs yer uncle. Of course you could run the cable to the hub through the window.

 

[Jonty]

If at all possible, I'd go for the wireless option. It may end up initally costing you more, but it would save all the hassle you've outlined above (cool diagram, btw ). Not very helpful, I know, but 'unwiring your life' is all fashion, well, that's what Intel keep whispering in my ear

Kind Regards

 

[(Shovel)]

Yeah, wireless is tempting. The house is an old Georgian one, so no concrete floors... though the top room is a loft extension and is a tad more modern.

We'll just have to see I guess. Is there an easy way to test? Would some old walkie talkies be of any use?!

Erm, also, staying with the wired option, can anyone recommend a suitable switch to go with the router? Just something cheap, cheerful and with amble ports really

 

[Embattle]

Remember that wooden floors are easier to go through than brick walls

Sadly there is no way to really test unless you know some one who already has some wireless kit.

 

[Testin da Cable]

sell a kidney and go wireless

you could also get two extra nics in the shiney router (that's the unix box right?) and save yourself the cost of a switch, using an xover cable to plug comp3 directly in.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

We had a similar problem and choose to stick to wired as we were having this (new) house completely redone so floorboards up etc etc. Anyway We have the router downstairs with 2 port print server (little box jobbo) attached and one desktop.
Also from this is attached a laptop.

Now this is where ours gets tricky. From the last port of the router we have a gig ethernet swicth attached.... 4 100/10 and one gig (i think) from that gig port runs Cat5E up to this room on second floor where i have a 5 port gig switch. From this switch is a gig connection to my comp.

Then from the switch in this room it goes up again to one laptop (never moves from desk) and a print server (box) and a desktop.

Phew

Its all nice and fine now, but we had the whole house ripped out and replaced as such so wires etc weren't a problem.

 

[(Shovel)]

Hmmm. I think there is some chance of running the wires under some floorboards, though older houses like this are build far too well to rip out floorboards easily. I think it is certainly worth a shot though.

I simply can't afford wireless, I don't think, so I'm going to start working out the best way to do the cabling descretely.

Deadman, is setting up multiple switches like you have complicated with regard to the main router? Do you need to do anything special with regard to setting that up?

 

[Testin da Cable]

no, you don't. just be aware that if you're connecting switches (or hubs) that have a so-called 'uplink' port you can use regular cat5 on that, but if they don't you'll have to use cross-over wired cat5

 

[(Shovel)]

Oh OK. Can anyone offer any recommendations? I'm sure I can cope with crossing over cables here and there if necessary - assuming that that doesn't complicate the setup beyond "Reasonably Simple".

I'll have a poke about on Dabs and see what I can find.

 

[(Shovel)]

Right then, this is from a "little poke" around Dabs:

I don't know why these ones stood out... I guess it's just the way things catch the eye.

All of these claim to support uplink TDC

BenQ SP0005
Belkin 5 Port Switch
Linksys

The problem I have, is that I have no idea whether I need to spend that much - is something cheaper going to do me fine... can I get away with a cheap one for the second switch between the two upper floors? I'm floundering around - as per usual.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

The last 2 are nice ... the belkin one looks cool but it is a weird shape and may be a pain to fit/blend in

I have linksys gear and Netgear gear (boom boom)

netgear this is a nice piece of kit i have used a few when setting up a few SOHo networks.

 

[(Shovel)]

Aha, I think I've seen one of them there netgears before Thank you for the link.

 

[MYstIC G]

Get a really long cable & drop it out a window