Need Reccomendations for whole house project

Casper42 · 09-04-2003

I've decided that I want to build out a decent home network in my new house. Its a 1 story slab based home with easy attic access. I keep having random problems with my Cable Modem but I'm not sure if its the Cable Modem, the Service, or if my Wireless SMC Router is having problems.

Anyway, I need the following reccomendations on hardware:

16 or 24 port 10/100 Unmanaged Switch
VPN Router (with IP Sec Tunnel ability)
WAP (or 2 or 3, see below)
Better Cable Modem?

I would love to be able to use all 1 vendor, like Linksys or NetGear or whatever, but its not a requirement. Would rather have best of breed than all my gear the same color.

16/24 Port Unmanaged Switch:
Name says it all. I dont have a need for Gig Uplinks or any special features really. Just tired of not having enough ports on the back of the Wireless Router.

VPN Router w/ IPSec Tunnels:
The feature I'm looking for is the future ability to link my VPN Router with a friend (or multiple Friends) VPN Routers in order to provide a seamless connection between our networks. Obviously it should also do your standard NAT Router Features. SPI isnt a requirement but would be nice.
So far the models I found are:
NetGear FVL328 (100 tunnels)
Linksys BEFVP41 (70 tunnels)
D-Link DI-804HV (40 tunnels)

WAPs:
I want at least 1 WAP for me and the wife. My house is a ranch style 1 story, so I was thinking of putting a WAP at each end of the house, one covering my office, the living room and the family room, and the other covering all the bedrooms. Its only 2000 or so sq ft, so if I can get away with 1 good one, thats fine with me. I would like it to be an AB, AG, or ABG. This will be WEP Enabled and MAC Address Filtered.
Now, I am also considering putting up a second WAP going straight back to the Router that would provide non WEP non Filtered Internet Access, but wouldnt be allowed on my private network. This would be attached to a Omni mounted on the roof above my office. I saw the D-Link DWL-1750 or DWL-1700AP while researching the VPN stuff. Looks like a nice neat packaged deal, but overall I just want the best reception and coverage. I plan to hook at least 10db Omni to it, potentially a 24db.

Cable Modem:
Lastly, if I do continue to have problems with the cable modem, looking for reccomendations on what to replace it with. I beleive it has to be DOCSIS 1.1 or 2.1 or something. Its Adelphia PowerLink in Simi Valley, California.

Aside from all that, I'll be wiring parts of the house with CAT5e or CAT6 (Depending on the deal). Being a Slab 1 Story house (with cross braces in the walls) what reccomendations do people have for the best way to run the cable. I do NOT want to cut holes in the wall where the cross brace is to notch the cross brace and then try to patch the dry wall. I'm thinkinng more along the lines of a long azz drill bit going from the attic down.
Along with that, what are some good sites or places to get a 16/24 port Cat5e/Cat6 patch panel?

G8tK33per · 09-04-2003

My .02 on the router...I use an Asante 4 port DSL router and it has performed flawlessly for the last year. Easy to setup with great documentation. Check out their line to see if one may suit your needs.

sparafina · 09-04-2003

A quick question. Why run cable? Would a wireless bridge work for you?

Madhadder · 09-04-2003

I would also go for a 1 vendor solution, I would use Cisco.

Yes, it's a bit much, but you can get cheap 2nd hand gear
off ebay for .01's on the dollar.

Just my . 02

G8tK33per · 09-04-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Madhadder

Just my . 02

Smartie-pants...

sparafina · 09-04-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Madhadder
I would also go for a 1 vendor solution, I would use Cisco.

Like Linksys?

Who's the smarty pants now?

Casper42 · 09-04-2003

Which Router, WAP, and Switch from Cisco would you reccomend. (Be Gentle)

If I went with Linksys, what WAP does everyone reccomend for inside the house, and anything diff for outside? Like would I want to stick with a WAP11 for outside so i can hack the firmware and add an antenna? or go with a wap that does multiple flavors and speeds?

PS: Has anyone here setup an IPSec Tunnel like I'm talking about?

Madhadder · 09-05-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Casper42
Which Router, WAP, and Switch from Cisco would you reccomend. (Be Gentle)

If I went with Linksys, what WAP does everyone reccomend for inside the house, and anything diff for outside? Like would I want to stick with a WAP11 for outside so i can hack the firmware and add an antenna? or go with a wap that does multiple flavors and speeds?

PS: Has anyone here setup an IPSec Tunnel like I'm talking about?

For a DSL/Cable Router = Cisco 1720/1750 series
For The Switch = Only 10MB wit 2 x 100 = Catalyst 1924-EN
If you want all (24x100mb) = Catalyst 2924
AP = Aironet 340 or 350 series AP's

Looking on Ebay, Here are the going costs:

1720/1750 Series Router = $50-400 (Depends on Modules)
1924-EN Switch - $30 - 150
2924 switch - $100 - 300
Aironet Ap's = $80 - 300

Much cheaper than if you got it new.....

Casper42 · 09-10-2003

Reccomendations if I went with Linksys?

Anyone ever used one of these VPN Routers to do tunneling?

Madhadder · 09-10-2003

Yep, and just like everthing else linysys, it crap....

09-04-2003	#1 (permalink)
Casper42 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 10	Need Reccomendations for whole house project I've decided that I want to build out a decent home network in my new house. Its a 1 story slab based home with easy attic access. I keep having random problems with my Cable Modem but I'm not sure if its the Cable Modem, the Service, or if my Wireless SMC Router is having problems. Anyway, I need the following reccomendations on hardware: 16 or 24 port 10/100 Unmanaged Switch VPN Router (with IP Sec Tunnel ability) WAP (or 2 or 3, see below) Better Cable Modem? I would love to be able to use all 1 vendor, like Linksys or NetGear or whatever, but its not a requirement. Would rather have best of breed than all my gear the same color. 16/24 Port Unmanaged Switch: Name says it all. I dont have a need for Gig Uplinks or any special features really. Just tired of not having enough ports on the back of the Wireless Router. VPN Router w/ IPSec Tunnels: The feature I'm looking for is the future ability to link my VPN Router with a friend (or multiple Friends) VPN Routers in order to provide a seamless connection between our networks. Obviously it should also do your standard NAT Router Features. SPI isnt a requirement but would be nice. So far the models I found are: NetGear FVL328 (100 tunnels) Linksys BEFVP41 (70 tunnels) D-Link DI-804HV (40 tunnels) WAPs: I want at least 1 WAP for me and the wife. My house is a ranch style 1 story, so I was thinking of putting a WAP at each end of the house, one covering my office, the living room and the family room, and the other covering all the bedrooms. Its only 2000 or so sq ft, so if I can get away with 1 good one, thats fine with me. I would like it to be an AB, AG, or ABG. This will be WEP Enabled and MAC Address Filtered. Now, I am also considering putting up a second WAP going straight back to the Router that would provide non WEP non Filtered Internet Access, but wouldnt be allowed on my private network. This would be attached to a Omni mounted on the roof above my office. I saw the D-Link DWL-1750 or DWL-1700AP while researching the VPN stuff. Looks like a nice neat packaged deal, but overall I just want the best reception and coverage. I plan to hook at least 10db Omni to it, potentially a 24db. Cable Modem: Lastly, if I do continue to have problems with the cable modem, looking for reccomendations on what to replace it with. I beleive it has to be DOCSIS 1.1 or 2.1 or something. Its Adelphia PowerLink in Simi Valley, California. Aside from all that, I'll be wiring parts of the house with CAT5e or CAT6 (Depending on the deal). Being a Slab 1 Story house (with cross braces in the walls) what reccomendations do people have for the best way to run the cable. I do NOT want to cut holes in the wall where the cross brace is to notch the cross brace and then try to patch the dry wall. I'm thinkinng more along the lines of a long azz drill bit going from the attic down. Along with that, what are some good sites or places to get a 16/24 port Cat5e/Cat6 patch panel?

09-04-2003	#2 (permalink)
G8tK33per Asshole Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Goomba's Booty Boardwalk Posts: 6,128	My .02 on the router...I use an Asante 4 port DSL router and it has performed flawlessly for the last year. Easy to setup with great documentation. Check out their line to see if one may suit your needs. __________________ "My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention." Sons of Confederate Veterans

09-04-2003	#4 (permalink)
Madhadder General "Noob Basher" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 1,620	I would also go for a 1 vendor solution, I would use Cisco. Yes, it's a bit much, but you can get cheap 2nd hand gear off ebay for .01's on the dollar. Just my . 02 __________________ Legends may sleep, but they never die!!!!

09-10-2003	#10 (permalink)
Madhadder General "Noob Basher" Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 1,620	Yep, and just like everthing else linysys, it crap.... __________________ Legends may sleep, but they never die!!!!

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09-04-2003	#3 (permalink)
sparafina Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: TX,MD,NY Posts: 1,430	A quick question. Why run cable? Would a wireless bridge work for you?

09-04-2003	#7 (permalink)
Casper42 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 10	Which Router, WAP, and Switch from Cisco would you reccomend. (Be Gentle) If I went with Linksys, what WAP does everyone reccomend for inside the house, and anything diff for outside? Like would I want to stick with a WAP11 for outside so i can hack the firmware and add an antenna? or go with a wap that does multiple flavors and speeds? PS: Has anyone here setup an IPSec Tunnel like I'm talking about?

09-10-2003	#9 (permalink)
Casper42 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 10	Reccomendations if I went with Linksys? Anyone ever used one of these VPN Routers to do tunneling?