Advice: $250-275 Gig-LAN/Wireless over VLAN setup

[scottydog454]

Hi All,

I am moving into a new apartment and am getting married, so this is the time to buy my goodies and do it right the first time. I understand VLANs to a small enough degree that I am certain that I will be getting a GS-108T smart switch and that I want my wireless to be AFTER that switch, on its own VLAN. I don't want wireless accessibility to my wired computers where I bank online, especially in an apartment where so many people will be within range. Because of this need, I don't need a wireless router - just a wired one and an AP or wireless router as an AP plugged into that switch. However, it's not easy to find a wired router with Gigabit LAN ports on it that isn't a newer wireless router anyway. I am favoring Netgear mostly now since their quality control seems to be back up to par and Cisco/Linksys has dropped (but starting to get more favorable reports). Here is my question. Is there a different way to do this other than what I am thinking of here:

1. CABLE MODEM: (provided by Comcast. If it's not Gigabit for the WAN port, I will buy a Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 later on)
2. ROUTER: Netgear WNR3500L = $70 (Amazon)
3. SWITCH: GS-108T = $99 (Amazon)
4. WIRELESS: Either a 2nd 3500L or perhaps I'll splurge and get a 3700 or 4200 = $70, $130, $150

I am familiar with Tomato, DD-WRT, etc and it seems like some will allow VLANs, but it's a moot point if I need a second wireless adapter to plug into that VLAN port.

Are there any errors in my logic or suggestions on an alternate setup? It seems that the router is the wishy-washy point in my topology since I need a more expensive one for Gigabit RJ-45 ports and don't even need the wireless, but a pair of 3500L's would probably serve me well with that GS-108T. Tim seems to like his E4200 experiences, though...

NOTE: Why are APs more expensive, by the way? Is it a POE thing? It makes for sense for a consumer setup to get a solid wireless router and disable DHCP. My wired speed is far more important to me, but since I'm buying new equipment I may as well do it right the first time.

 

[scottydog454]

As I research more, it looks like the D-Link DGL-4100 is very highly-rated, and priced close to the WNR3500L, but I am more concerned about the VLAN research. Am I to understand that even though I will configure and set up the VLANs on my managed switch, the wireless AP/router that I plug into it must be VLAN-capable to match up and work with that VLAN configuration? If so, then the last piece of my setup needs to be most carefully chosen.

The D-Link DAP-1522 (AP) and D-Link DIR-655 (Wireless Router) are reviewed well but I may want something like a WNR3500L or 3700 so I can run DD-WRT and enable VLAN capabilities, right?

 

[stevech]

On the cable modem: The ISP doesn't provide speeds near 100Mbps, much less 1000Mbps. So just plug it into the router's WAN port, and the router's LAN port to a gigE switch. Let them maintain/repair their modem.

 

[scottydog454]

On the cable modem: The ISP doesn't provide speeds near 100Mbps, much less 1000Mbps. So just plug it into the router's WAN port, and the router's LAN port to a gigE switch. Let them maintain/repair their modem.

Thanks for the tip, stevech! I think after further research my biggest question here now is regarding the wireless AP/router after that GS108T switch. Do I need a VLAN-capable AP/wireless router or will any of them work? It's probably a dumb question to an experienced person, but I don't see VLAN capability listed as a feature on many routers so either it's a given or it's not even an option.

I'm about to start studying for my CCNA, so I need hands-on and am planning on setting VLANs anyway, so even though it may be overkill for a home wireless setup, I will already have a smart switch anyway so why not get the experience and security?