Best network switch / router arrangement on home network.

chris2922 · 06-12-2009, 12:12

I would like some advice on the best way to set up my network hardware.

I have a D-Link DIR-655 Router upstairs. It has 4 gigabit lan ports, but im only using one of them, which feeds into port 1 on a D-Link DGS 1008D. This is an 8 port gigabit switch.

Port 2 of the 8 port switch feeds downstairs into a D-Link DGS 1005D - a 5 port gigabit switch.

This enables me to connect my pc, NAS boxes and Sonos upstairs, and my HTPC, Xbox and Sonos downstairs.

So my current layout, if viewed as a chain, goes > Modem > Router > Switch > Switch.

Is this the best way to go? I could connect both switches to the Router instead of chaining them together?

It would then be > Modem > Router > Switch/Switch.

06-12-2009, 12:15

if it aint broke ...

Kymmy · 06-12-2009, 12:29

Plus the router isn't gonna provide more more WAN throughput than your internet connection.. So as Zing says... If it ain't broke

Jon T · 06-12-2009, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by zing

if it aint broke ...

I'd go along with this as well.

Your unlikely to be introducing any noticeable latency in to your network by "daisy chaining" them.

Only advantage of taking both switch feeds direct from the router is that if the first switch fails, you've not lost your link from the second switch to your router.

chris2922 · 06-12-2009, 23:25

Thanks for the help - i'll leave them as they are!

pabscars · 07-12-2009, 11:55

Just wanted to ask the OP or anyone else kind enough to reply, what do you think of the DIR-655 router, as Ive had a few issues with the ones supplied from VM,

I have a xbox, ps3, 1 lappy and one pc, the later 2 connected wirelessly, and ive found that the DIR-615 supplied free from vm to be a bit in a word "Garbage", but dont suppose I can moan as it was FOC.

However trawling the internet trying to find a good all round router points me towards the DIR-655.

Your opinion ?

Kymmy · 07-12-2009, 11:59

For a home router it's fine, does the job...

pabscars · 07-12-2009, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

For a home router it's fine, does the job...

thanks for the reply, can you offer any more tips or advice, the only reason I ask is that i want a router that does the job well and not just scrapes by.

Ive spent countless hours trying to get the most from my other routers to come to the conclusion you get what you pay for.

So if you had a budget of say Max Â£150 what router would anyone recommend that are gamer friendly for want of a better word and will let the wife surf happily all night without causing to many problems for anyone using the consoles.

chris2922 · 08-12-2009, 22:22

I purchased the 655 to replace an aging Linksys BEFSR41, and have been happy with its performance.

Its a more full featured router than the Linksys with loads more options than i need. It also has gigabit lan ports which i find useful. A gigabit wan port is hardly necessary with todays internet speeds, but it's there anyway.

One thing i *cannot* get working though is port forwarding.

On my old Linksys i had two settings in port forwarding, one for my Xbox and one for a VNC connection to my pc so i can admin it remotely. They worked great.

Since installing the 655 ive not had any luck with either. The VNC connection now times out every time, and the Xbox wont connect to Xbox Live if i set the console to the IP Adress im forwarding the ports to. Set it to either 'Automatic' or another IP Address (*any other IP Address!*) and it works fine.

Using the port checker tool from portforward.com confirms the ports are indeed opened if i point them to my PC's IP Address instead, so there must be something else getting in the way. God knows what.

I've been trying to get port forwarding to work for ages now and have had no luck.

Based purely on my trouble id recommend against it.

pabscars · 09-12-2009, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris2922

I purchased the 655 to replace an aging Linksys BEFSR41, and have been happy with its performance.

Its a more full featured router than the Linksys with loads more options than i need. It also has gigabit lan ports which i find useful. A gigabit wan port is hardly necessary with todays internet speeds, but it's there anyway.

One thing i *cannot* get working though is port forwarding.

On my old Linksys i had two settings in port forwarding, one for my Xbox and one for a VNC connection to my pc so i can admin it remotely. They worked great.

Since installing the 655 ive not had any luck with either. The VNC connection now times out every time, and the Xbox wont connect to Xbox Live if i set the console to the IP Adress im forwarding the ports to. Set it to either 'Automatic' or another IP Address (*any other IP Address!*) and it works fine.

Using the port checker tool from portforward.com confirms the ports are indeed opened if i point them to my PC's IP Address instead, so there must be something else getting in the way. God knows what.

I've been trying to get port forwarding to work for ages now and have had no luck.

Based purely on my trouble id recommend against it.

Well thanks for the honesty Chris, much appreciated,

Ive had the same problems with the DIR-615 and although I too can confirm the ports are open via port checker tool, I cant test whether the xbox or ps3 ports are actually open.

The funny thing is when I try with the port forwarding on, the gameplay seems worse so ive now reverted back to standard settings.

It's probably vm's firmware thats bobbins but just guessing really.

I did ring D-link tech support who replied firstly by saying "is it virgins" "if so you need to speak with their tech support as we dont support their firmware"

which puts you right back on the merry go round, because VM dont support games consoles.

I will based on your advice steer clear of the DIR-655 and try to find something more suitable and that actually works.

thanks again