Network Expansion Router or Switch?

[jon356a]

Hi,

I have run out of space on my WIRED network and need some advice on how to best increase capacity. Question is should I install a switch or a router with more ports? Iam most interested in Speed, Efficiency of packet exchange and lastly the cost. The marketing and specs on routers and switches available have me a little confused on their purpose or multi purpose. ie: Layer 2, managed, unmananged etc.

My existing network consists of the following:
Cat 6 wired
DSL modem
8 port VPN router (not using the VPN currently, but may in the future)
1 wireless access point (for free roaming laptops (2))
2 wired computers
1 wired workstation
1 wired speciality plotter
1 wired speciality printer
1 wired multi purpose printer / scanner
1 wired multi media player
1 wired network attached storage device
Spare wired ethernet jacks throughout.

Notes:
All computers on the network (wired/wireless) require indepedant internet access and communication with the attached periferials. I also would like to stay mostly wired.

I have been looking at the cisco RV016-16 port 10/100 VPN router with Multi WAN. I have been thinking about adding a second WAN at some point.

Also, what about looping another 8 port router with my existing?

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

 

[teknojnky]

you can just pick any switch up and plug a cable between it and the router and everything should work fine.

You could go more expensive with managed/layer 2 switch, but its probably very unlikely that you need that as those types of switches are used for 'core/backbone' type networks.

this dlink is an excellent general purpose switch at a very decent price, I got one a few months ago and it works great extending my main switch (linksys srw2008).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FITKK8/?tag=snbforums-20