Setting up small Office

[Dolimite]

Hey Everyone, First post here. I am setting up a small office and I need help in setting up my system. My internet is gonna be supplied via the cable company. I am starting out with about 5 computers with as many as 10 computers when its all said and done. I need a device to route and handle all these computers. What all do I need? Can I get by with just 1 cable modem. I am installing cat5 throught the office. Thanks

[brainsmile]

why not just go wireless? all you need is a wireless router... if not you go with one modem that then links into a router. From there it splits to other computers and a switch if you need more connections.

[Jeffbx]

I'd say you can use wireless as a secondary means of communication, but the office should be wired as well. You can saturate a WAP with heavy traffic, you can get interference, it's more difficult to administer, and you're open to sniffing with wireless - I say CAT5 as the primary infrastructure.

Other than the cable modem, you'll need a router & a switch (maybe a 16 port). Setup is pretty straightforward - cable modem plugs into the router, router plugs into the switch, all the PCs plug into the switch.

You might also want to set up a common file server that gets backed up so people can share files, and throw a network printer on the LAN somewhere. With that small of a setup, everyone can be on a workgroup & you can just share folders as needed.

[Merlin]

Why the need for a switch? Couldn't he get away with just plugging them all into the router?

[Jeffbx]

Yeah, if he can find a router with 10 ports ;)

[eSDee]

I'd say you can use wireless as a secondary means of communication, but the office should be wired as well. You can saturate a WAP with heavy traffic, you can get interference, it's more difficult to administer, and you're open to sniffing with wireless - I say CAT5 as the primary infrastructure.

Other than the cable modem, you'll need a router & a switch (maybe a 16 port). Setup is pretty straightforward - cable modem plugs into the router, router plugs into the switch, all the PCs plug into the switch.

You might also want to set up a common file server that gets backed up so people can share files, and throw a network printer on the LAN somewhere. With that small of a setup, everyone can be on a workgroup & you can just share folders as needed.

:stupid: Excellent solution Jeffbx.

[Merlin]

Yeah, if he can find a router with 10 ports ;)
Ah, I learn. Slowly, but I learn.

[Dolimite]

thanks for the response

Where is the best place to buy a router and a switch?

[Kevster]

thanks for the response

Where is the best place to buy a router and a switch?

Where are you located? You can probablt find something at Frys/Outpost.

Since you're looking at a small office scenario, Netgear JGS516 16-port 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet Switch (http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4094252?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) might give you the best compatibility and scalability you'll need. I know they have 8-port versions of this switch, as well as more capable rack-mount style ones with more features, similiar to a Cisco Catalyst switch.

As for the router, you can try the Netgear FR114P 4-Port Cable/DSL Prosafe Firewall/Print Server (http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3353622?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG). You should probably look at other brands, for comparison, but stay away from D-link. Many people here will probably agree with me on that, since D-link has put out some crappy products in the last few years. I have had good experiences with Netgear and Linksys for the small office networking side-jobs I have worked on for friends.

[Jeffbx]

Depending on what your budget is, you might also consider a higher level firewall/router - perhaps a Watchguard (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=415242) - it can do VPN, firewall, content filtering & anti virus all in one box, but it'll cost ya a little more.