8 or 4 ports

[brossyg]

I have a sizable SOHO gigabit combo wired/wireless network. I am presently using a Linksys RVS4000 4-port gigabit router that feeds several 4- and 8-port gigabit switches off of each port. I also have 2 wireless A/Ps off of the switches. I am trying to keep the switches one level away from the router, rather than cascade them 2-3 levels away, but it is getting difficult as the network grows.

1. I am thinking of replacing the RVS4000, but want to know if it is better to get an 8-port router, keeping the switches one level from the router, rather than a 4-port router with cascaded switches that would end up being two levels away from the router (ie router-switch-switch) ... or does it matter? Would I notice any speed difference?
   
2. The only 8-port gigabit router in your router-finder is the Netgear Pro-safe .. and I really don't use VPN. However, I do want a good firewall at a reasonable price.
3. I also would like to replace at least one of my two wireless A/Ps with the wireless capability of the new router and think I want dual-band capability that doesn't come with an 8-port (Netgear Prosafe) router.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[stevech]

I would be surprised if cascaded switches reduce your speeds by an amount that is significant.

Today's switches, even low cost consumer ones, are cut-through rather than store/forward. This means that the outgoing packet can flow just after the ethernet frame header with the destination MAC address appears, rather than storing the entire frame (e.g., IP packet).

Anyone disagree?

 

[GregN]

Like alot of things, I think it depends. Two issues, saturation and collisions.

If you cascade three 5 port switches off of a single port, you definitely increase the probability of collisions, a collision generally requires a retransmit - a slow down. Saturating a gig port is a bit of a challenge, but cascading switches with heavy usage would do it. Switch ports are usually rate at twice the port speed ( full duplex).

I think most switches are adaptive these days, not store and forward or cut-through exclusively.

Since used 24 port managed switches are dead cheap, I'd recommend getting one off EBay.

 

[brossyg]

Any suggestions as to the best routing/wireless (simultaneous dual band)/firewall combination among the 4-port gigabit routers?

Also, to future proof ... is IPv6 a must have?

Thanks

 

[GregN]

Also, to future proof ... is IPv6 a must have?

Do you ever plan on running v6 internally is really the question. If not no.

Have you looked at the charts and product finder?