Wire diagram for Windows Network 4-5 computers

[chris ashdown]

We are moving to new larger offices and I think its about time we were wired up properly

I understand from other messages that to use windows network without a server we need the following

New Broadbank Router ours is 4 years old. Recomendations please

Switch for potential 8 computers (three in use at present), Recomendations please, all computers have their own printers at present and only use Actinic to network

Wiring diagram on how it set the network up, assume each computer to wall mounting then to switch with one from switch to router

is this correct

I notice on one wiring kit available they offer four setups but each has room for two ethernet connecters on the wall at each station why is this?

[Stereo Steve]

Initially all you need is a good 4 port router. I used to swear by Draytek and they are superb but I have since been impressed by Netgear kit. Can't remember the model I have but it connects far faster than any other I have tried. I have had problems with Zycel, Dlink and Linksys kit with collisions and lock ups etc. Just my own personal experiences though and others may say the opposite.

So you plug the router into the phone and then you have 4 network ports, one for each PC. If you don't want to run a cable from the router to each PC then run one standard cat5 cable from a router port to an 8 port switch (get a switch over a hub as they crash less). Anything should do but the more you pay the less issues you may have.

Then another cat5 cable from each PC to the switch. You can use wall sockets in between if you wish to keep the patch lead length down. These are also simple to install and usually come with wiring diagrams.

On a side note, you may want to choose a gigabit switch if your PC's can support gigabit LAN.

[gabrielcrowe]

I would really look into a wireless network.

No wires, and most simple home routers support 32 people without a fuss, commercial routers, even more

router idea: here

Use usb wireless adapters for desktops that dont have wireless.

[Cheapprices4u]

hi i use a bt business hub, unlocked for more options and have
a laptop wireless
desktop wireless
imac wireless
security system wired
and a satellite reciever wired

great bit of kit all happy
but look at new wireless printers to all share or a router with a network port to plug into the router

[pinbrook]

if you go with a wired router (i still would go wired as it is more reliable) go for 8 ports as you initially said and not a 4 port - 4 port gives you no redundancy if a port pops.

You could go wired and pop in an extra wireless router to give the best of both worlds

[fleetwood]

From personal experience, I would say that you need to be careful with wireless.
I have had trouble both at home and at work with wireless - both are old buildings with solid brick walls.

Speed can vary considerably, and signals drop frequently.

If everything is in the same room, or you just have 1 or 2 hollow walls to go through, you should be fine, but if you are looking to travel through any great obstructions, they don't always work as well as the manufacturers would have you think.

Wired is more of a pain to install, but once your there, its more reliable, and also faster than wireless. Our Netgear gigabit switch has proved very reliable and fast.

All that said, the technology is improving all the time, so maybe the newer wireless kit works better.

[chris ashdown]

Thanks guys, we do have Wireless router on present system but went to, each pc etherneted into wireless router / hub to speed things up.

Now with new office looking at non wireless solution with cat 5 wires to wall points

Steve
Whats the real diff on this gigabite switch over other ones and is it easy to use

Looking at new router as I understand new ones have better speed

[NormanRouxel]

I would go wired. Wire is cheap and won't stop working when a nearby microwave goes on. Another major advantage is speed - especially important if you add a backup NAS disk drive to the LAN.

Buy a 100 metre drum of cable, a crimp tool and a 20 pack of plug ends from say Maplin and you get made to measure DIY. I don't use wall sockets, I just go direct to each PC and allow an extra metre or two cable so things can move a bit.

[Cheapprices4u]

i personally like wired as norman says

try cpc.co.uk part of farnells group

im only wireless as were "sorting out"

or should i say the "boss" is

[pnagames]

Chris

if you going to be in the new offices for a considerable amount of time then go wired. definately better speed wise and as pointed out it does not get affected by signals like the wireless.

i would recommend to get the 8 port (4 port you will have to replace if you expand or as jo said ports start to pop)

also use wall sockets.

[Stereo Steve]

Chris, Gigabit lan is just faster than 10/100. You do need all the bits in the chain to support it to get the benefit but most newer PC's probably will. It's a long time since I bought a switch so I don't know if they are way more expensive than 10/100 ones but I doubt it.They also say you need high spec cable but I've never had any problems with even the cheapest stuff.

Wall sockets are more work to install but do leave a tidier job and if you want to move a desk then it doesn't leave a cable hanging out of the wall. Personally, we couldn't be bothered so just put ends on like Norman.

On the subject of wireless, we have both. It's great for lappys and the odd non critical machine and it means you can move machines around easier. However, for our core network (server to main machines and server to router) we went for wired for speed and reliability. I recently bought a 305m (1000ft) drum of cat5 from screwfix and I think it was about £60 so it's cheap as chips. Plus, cat5 is very good for other uses like telephone and high end DIY speaker cable so you can use it for loads of stuff!

I'm no expert, just done a lot of physical network installation. What's this about ports popping. Never heard of that before. Is that a physical failure on the device or some kind of congestion issue?

[Darren B]

OK without reading in in depth

Chris Go Wired, small office solution go for a netgear gigabit switch, about £80, run cat 6 so if you get 1gb cards your network will handle it, but to be honest 100 will be fine on cat 5 for a long time to come, i cant see your small office overloading the network just yet, so if you dont want the hassle stick with cat 5

chris it is really easy to set up and igf you need a hand give me a shout and i can talk you through

Cheers
D

[Goz]

Agree with much of what's being said.

Get a Netgear GS608 gigabit 8-port switch (£33 from Misco). Attach your router and PCs to it. You can then add network storage e.g. Netgear SC101T (£85 from Misco) which has a gigabit network port. Insert a couple of disk drives (I've done it with 750GB - I'll never fill them!); create network drives on it and mirror them and you've got a cheap file server. You can share/restrict access; password protect etc. That way, every PC will have gigabit access to file server (assuming they have a gigabit network card and assuming you want gigabit access....). Also works fine with 100mb.

cat6 cabling preferably but cat5e would be fine but I'd put in wall mounted boxes with RJ45 faceplates.

[chris ashdown]

Many thanks guys, Great Help

Going for Belkin 8 port Gig port

Cat6 Cable and wall mounted

This bit is over my head, can you explain it in idiots format please

network storage e.g. Netgear SC101T (£85 from Misco) which has a gigabit network port. Insert a couple of disk drives (I've done it with 750GB

[Stereo Steve]

Not sure on the exact model but I'm guessing it's just a network drive. You buy the box which has all the connections and software and then stick some standard drives in it and plug it into the network. Then you can see it as a separate device I suppose and drag and drop to it etc. I think you can get ones with RAID options etc. I am thinking of getting one of these and storing in a separate building for fast backup over the network.