Mini network Switch advice

[coasterman]

I should preface this question by stating my minimal (relative to the forum) experience with networking so please go easy.

I think I need a switch or possibly two to get done what I am aiming for?

I have currently a Virgin media Superhub DSL cable modem in a 1st floor office running in modem mode. This goes straight into an existing Linksys WRT160n wireless modem (also on 1st floor). From there I am Ethernet to the 1st floor office PC and Ethernet to a Cheapo Sharecentre NAS also in the 1st floor office.

The third port on the Linkys serves a Cyclone media player on the ground floor.

I would like to add a Synology DS413 4 Bay Desktop NAS (or similar) preferably on the ground floor and also a WAP on ground floor to improve wireless coverage there.

Ideally a little future expansion room would be nice and I'm happy to pay the right money for reliable hardware.

AM I right in saying that if the Nas drives and the Cyclone are connected to the Switch(es) then the router is circumvented and that any bottleneck become the NAS speed rather than router speed? Am I better to get 2 switches, one for 1st floor and one for ground and is managed preferable to unmanaged?

Sorry if this basic stuff but as I said networking is something I have never really had to contend with in any detail before, I'm hoping to learn though!

 

[dnoyeb]

The Linksys WRT is not a modem, it is a "wireless" access point with built in router.

All you need is a switch. I don't think the term 'circumvent' is strictly correct. There should only be one path from point A to B in your network. If you plug two devices into the same switch, then they will talk directly to each other and not seek out to touch a different switch/router just for the heck of it.

You don't need a smart switch or managed switch for this. Simple switch is good enough. However, if your young and you think you might take a liking to getting the most throughput out of your network setup, then a smart switch will help you play around.

Also, if you ever do VOIP, then you will want a smart switch as well.

The reason for the smart switch will be to prevent starvation. A switch is not going to give priority to one data vs. another. If your moving a big file over your network from A to B, while also streaming from C to D, your streaming can get bogged down during that transfer. Smart switch will allow you to prioritize.

But for now, an elcheapo simple switch will work just fine.