My LAN Questions

[Fish4Fun]

My first PC was a 4 bit machine. I was drug kicking and screaming from DOS to WIN95 (what a mistake, should have waited for WIN2K!). I understand, and have implemented firmware based embedded systems using various parallel/serial half-duplex and full duplex protocols. NONE of this has helped me much in deciding how to upgrade theoretically very user friendly LAN.

Here is what I have:

A DSL Modem/Router/Switch with DHCP. This runs to a 16-port Tbase10/100 Switch (~300ft away). The Tbase 10/100 Switch connects via CAT5e to a NAS, 3 Wireless Access Points, 5 Network Media Tanks and two PCs. I would like to increase the wired LAN speed to gigabit bandwidth between the NAS, NMTs and Wireless Access Points. I fully understand my 6mbs DSL is not ever going to tax any portion of the network, but the NMT/NAS traffic can get pretty heavy. Am I correct in assuming that a gigabit switch directly wired to the NAS and NMTs will improve the NAS to NMT throughput. No reason to replace the modem/router/switch provided by my ISP? Or should I reduce the functionality of the modem/router/switch to simply modem and add a gigabit router + a gigabit switch? My goal is to increase throughput between local devices, ie. PCs to NAS, NAS to NMTs.

To further define the setup: The DSL modem/router/switch is located in one house that I own and my in-laws live in. It has one NMT wire-connected to it, a wireless access, and it connects to my Tbase 10/100 switch, located in my house 300ft away. My Switch connects to my wireless access, 3 NMTs, two PCs, my NAS and a 150ft run to a neighbor's house where there is a third wireless access point and the final wired NMT.

I know, I need to learn how to say "no", but it is a close knit group and I am the closest thing to an "Admin". The Internet load is mostly me, but the NMTs place a real demand on the LAN; more than 3 NMTs start causing NMT "freezing" issues. If one of the videos is High-Def, even 3 NMTs have some issues. I plan on adding a second NAS very soon, and I am afraid that is going to require some fundamental network paradigm change. Since both NASs will be local to me, I see no sense in separating the networks; I am just hoping upgrading to a gigabit switch will resolve the bandwidth issues, but all suggestions are welcome.

Fish

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I fully understand my 6mbs DSL is not ever going to tax any portion of the network, but the NMT/NAS traffic can get pretty heavy. Am I correct in assuming that a gigabit switch directly wired to the NAS and NMTs will improve the NAS to NMT throughput. No reason to replace the modem/router/switch provided by my ISP? Or should I reduce the functionality of the modem/router/switch to simply modem and add a gigabit router + a gigabit switch? My goal is to increase throughput between local devices, ie. PCs to NAS, NAS to NMTs.

Correct. LAN traffic/transfers will stay on your switch. Only traffic designated to/from the internet will travel across the 300 foot run to your router, as the router is your gateway to the internet. So upgrading your router to a gigabit one will not affect your LAN transfers...as traffic only between your LAN nodes will not head towards your router (except local DNS queries if your routers providing the DNS for your LAN instead of a server)

 

[Fish4Fun]

Perfect. Thank you. I was fairly certain all I needed to upgrade was my switch, but I could not find a clear answer, until now I just wanted to make sure.

With Warm Regards,

Fish