Gigabit Router

[Quartermass]

The Sagem router that came with my Sky is fast ethernet only. This means I either need to get a gigabit router that will work with Sky, or a gigabit switch and plug that in to it.

Does anyone have an opinion which option would lead to the least hassle?

[Scubbie]

A Gigabit switch would be the least problematic since it just needs one cable to the router and any others can connect to your devices.

Many top end routers with full support 1Gbit LAN also have good WiFi n abilities and can do other things too.

There are a few threads on this forum discussing various top-end routers. They include Draytek, Billion, Belkin & Netgear.

[Quartermass]

I've been looking around as well. I'm moving from having Virgin and cable with them - I've had it since Telewest launched it... but I've never had DSL, it's that part I'm unsure of.

There's still no electricity in my flat and won't be till next week (Sky are testing the line too) so I don't know what speed I'm going to get.

I don't know how good the router I have is. The Netgear that's suitable is their expensive one - DGND3700. Billion don't seem to make a DSL and gigabit and wireless N router, I couldn't find one with gigabit. Belkin don't make one with a DSL modem built in and gigabit.

For Draytek it would seem to be the Vigor2830n plus

Edit : I should say what I am asking...

Will I get better performance with the Sagem modem/router and an unmanaged switch, or am I better skipping the switch and grabbing a new gigabit router/modem?

I don't really mind the cost as it's a one off.

[Scubbie]

Billion Products for SSL VPN, ADSL Modem/Router, Wireless ADSL Router, Powerline ADSL Router and Adapter, VoIP ADSL Modem/Router, Security Router, Broadband Router, SHDSL Bridge/Router, iBusiness Security, ISDN Product

Belkin : Play Max N600 HD Wireless N Dual-Band Modem Router

[Exdee]

Billion don't seem to make a DSL and gigabit and wireless N router, I couldn't find one with gigabit.

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Billion-BiPAC-7800N-Broadband-Wireless-N/dp/B002TOKGL8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309560214&sr=8-1]Billion BiPAC 7800N[/ame]

Billion BiPAC 7402NX

Will I get better performance with the Sagem modem/router and an unmanaged switch, or am I better skipping the switch and grabbing a new gigabit router/modem?

The switch will add a response delay of 1-2ms. Apart from that it would be the same unless you go for a billion\draytek router that is matched to the equipment in your exchange. This is explained here.

[Quartermass]

Ah, thanks for finding those other routers. The Belkin one on their site doesn't say it's gigabit, I assumed if it was they'd shout about it! :P

The other ones I just didn't see.

In any case that's now the second time I've been given that "which will give you the best speed" link - but it's the first time it's registered with me what it means!

What this means is that I should now list all the routers I've looked at into two columns, and then when I find out what equipment Sky uses in my area with a tracert then I can see which list of routers is suitable.

Then I get to choose between a switch and a new router.

I think that I'm set to go. Thanks folks!

[timc]

I think it depends what you need it for really.

For example, if you've 2 desktop PCs hardwired & a laptop wirelessly connected and you do a lot of PC to PC transfers whilst the laptop is browsing then the laptop's internet performance could potentially be crippled with just a gigabit router but with the PCs linked via a gigabit switch then the laptop could be free to browse.

Also suppose you switch to another ISP who uses different exchange equipment the switch route could be the most cost effective.

[Shonk]

The switch wont add any delay
I can go through 4 switches and get a ping reply in

64 bytes from 192.168.0.2: seq=56 ttl=64 time=0.181 ms

if i go through 1 it will be the same

And then going through to a 5th switch thats only 10/100 to reach the net latency jumps slightly due to 10/100 sitching speed

1 (192.168.0.1) 0.287 ms 0.279 ms 0.291 ms

but that would also be the same if you where directly connected to it

Basicly lan latency is halfed on gigabit compared to 10/100
no matter how many gigabit switches you have
unless there's a fault

The switch will add a response delay of 1-2ms. Apart from that it would be the same unless you go for a billion\draytek router that is matched to the equipment in your exchange. This is explained here.

[Exdee]

You must have some kick butt switches then. I have two switches and both of them add to my ping. Usually it's 1ms but sometimes it's 2ms.

[Quartermass]

I can live with 1 or 2 ms.

What seems to be going to give me a latency hit is the Sagem router itself has only got fast ethernet which seems to indicate from Shonk's post that my ping times won't be so good.

I barely ever game online these days so I'm not too worried.

I just want to make sure my complicated network still works fast when I move into the flat. There's a server in .nl which is fuse mounted on a Debian server which rsyncs the data across daily and serves out both the local and the remote data to the network with Samba and Mediatomb, which will consist of the main PC, smartphone, smartTV, bluray and WD TV Live.

2ms lag isn't going to kill me!

I'm thinking the simplest way is to stick with the Sagem router unless I find there's several megabits in it, and just grab gigabit switches.

Is it worth spending money on the switches, or should I just get cheap ones?