Gigabit Ethernet and Virgin Router

[Salu]

A bit of techy help here please?

I have just moved house and was given a router with a cable modem built it by Virgin. This one....

http://www.netgear.com/products/serv...ys/CG2100.aspx

I have just bought a Microsoft Windows Home Server and want to take advantage of gigabit networking.

The above router appears to be 10/100 based not 1000...

I want to connect the following...

• A Home Server
• A PC 1
• A PC 2 downstairs via Wired Homeplug
• A laptop (Wireless)
• An Android HTC Desire (Wireless)
• A Wii (Wireless or homeplug)

Assuming I have to buy some sort of gigabit switch then how would I connect the network up so that I can attain the following?

• Server and PC 1 upstairs connect to gigabit router running at 1000
• PC Downstairs running at what ever speed I can achieve over homeplug
• Laptop running at wireless N speed to the Virgin Router/cable modem
• Desire running at wireless G speed.
• Wii at what ever speed I can get over homeplug.

The bits I'm not clear on are

• What connects to the upload of which device?
• What will do the DHCP bit and which device?
• Will broadband work on all devices?
• If I should just replace the virgin router with a gigabit wireless N router and use a standalone modem?

Thanks

[The PIT]

CGG2100 can do dhcp.

You plug that into new switch.

From the switch you plug in your pc and home plug.

That's basically it and yes you will get your broadband.

[Jon T]

As regards the uplink port part of your question, most(all?) home grade switches won't have a dedicated uplink port, just plug a network cable between any point on the virgin equipment and your switch. A normal network cable will do, the days of needing crossover cables are pretty much over as pretty much all router/switch ports now with switch automatically to suit the cable.

Plug the homeplugs into the virgin router, no point taking up ports on the gigabit switch when the devices won't use that speed.

[The PIT]

Originally Posted by Jon T

As regards the uplink port part of your question, most(all?) home grade switches won't have a dedicated uplink port, just plug a network cable between any point on the virgin equipment and your switch. A normal network cable will do, the days of needing crossover cables are pretty much over as pretty much all router/switch ports now with switch automatically to suit the cable.

Plug the homeplugs into the virgin router, no point taking up ports on the gigabit switch when the devices won't use that speed.

With a switch gigabit switch you won't need crossovers anyway. I plug the homeplugs into my switch as that's nearest the main socket.

Too get the full benefit of a gigabit network you need to use jumbo frames. So you'll need to find a switch that supports this. Netgear do several.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwa...oundup?start=1

More on jumbo frames http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwa...small-networks

[Jon T]

Originally Posted by The PIT

With a switch gigabit switch you won't need crossovers anyway.

Yep, as I said in my post.

You'll be hard pushed to find a switch that hasn't got MDI/MDI-X auto switching.

[Salu]

Many thanks

Good advice.

---------- Post added at 16:41 ---------- Previous post was at 16:30 ----------

I've just been offered one of these from someone who has a spare.

Would this replace having to buy a switch? Say if I disabled DHCP in it? How would I connect it up?

Thanks

[Salu]

Oops....by this I meant one of these

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home_wndr3700.php