Homenetworking Expert? - AP, Router, Switch, or a Combination?

Question

Need help on how I can install my homenetwork to meet my requirements listed below:

Here are the knowns:;

1. 2 story house with a basement.
2. Cable modem comes into a closet in the basement.
3. All rooms have Cat5 and cable running that terminate in the same closet as the cable modem.

I want to achieve the following:

1. 2 PCs, NAS and a network printer in the 1st floor den that need to be hardwired into the network.
2. Also have 2 Tivos and 2 notebook computers that connect wirelessly so need to have a wireless access point in a central area, ideally the 1st floor.
3. Have a Slingbox on the 1st floor family room which require a hardwire connection to the network.

Most importantly, I want all the devices on a single network so they could all see each other.

I am confused between a switch, router and access point and what combination I should install them to achieve a single network with both wireless and hardwired connections.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Start with a Wired router (don't waste the money on wireless down there) connected to the Modem in the basement. Connect that to the wires needed to the other areas. If you can get 8 port wired router should handle all but you may not have the wires needed in the places needed just see what is where!

Where you have 2PC's NAS and Printer (if you have 4 ports on the walls already just use them - if not put a small 8 port switch - one port for the connection to basement - one for each device!) Connect an ACCESS POINT (wireless transmitter) to one of these as well. (that puts the wireless on your main 1st floor and will give better coverage.)
Connect your slingbox to the wall (which is connected to the router in the basement as well).
That puts all devices on the same network and the AP will give you wireless ability radiated from the first floor.

So from my vantage point (not being able to see the wiring) you need
1. Router for Basement -- wired only will work fine.
1. Switch for 1st floor den - for all the devices there
1. AP (wireless transmitter) - for wireless in den

You might get away with one 8 port router in the basement IF you have enough wall connections in your den! Just connect them.. You still need an AP for the den or where ever on the 1st floor you want to put your wireless center.

Good Luck - Merry Christmas

Answer 2

Just as a caveat, nowadays the most common and most inexpensive devices are Switch/Router/Firewall/AP boxes, with everything built-in. To buy everything separately would be pretty expensive. I would first try and find a way to do what you need using only one box, possibly an 8-port Router combo.

Anyway, In the basement, you'll need a Firewall/Router where your Cable Modem is. You will also need a network switch with as many ports as you have Cat5 cables coming in.

Most of your hard-wired devices are on the 1st floor, which is also the central point in your house, so they all get wired in there.You would also need a Wireless Access Point on the 1st floor, which would get your Tivos and Notebooks online. The AP, and all wired devices would be Cat5'ed into the switch in the basement, so they would all be on the same network.

So, in all you would need three different devices, 2 in the basement, 1 on the first floor, to do what you need done.

There are other approaches you can take too, like getting an all-in-one router for the basement, and extend the wireless antenna to the 1st floor, but again, that's more money.

I would suggest that you try wiring everything into the basement into a single all-in-one Router/AP first. That'll take care of the wired devices. If the wireless devices have trouble, you can always get things to boost, or move the antenna signal upstairs.