HELP Regarding Network Design and Equipments

ullash · #1 07-27-2007, 06:22 PM

I Need Help Regarding setting up a small Hybrid Network for My Office and Home which are in the same building.

Current Scenario:
Ground Floor is used as OFFICE
I have 2 PCs here, Netwoked via a simple HUB and No Internet

I donot need any PC on the 1st Floor

My HOME is on the 2nd Floor with just 1 PC connected with an ADSL Modem (PPPOE) via USB port, I have an 100 Mbps Ethernet Card in this PC and my Modem can also be connected using this Port.

I recently bought a Laptop (802.11g) and from this laptop I now want to wirelessly access Internet (w/o turning ON any of the PCs) , my HOME PC and Office Network from either of the Floors.

I cannot move my ADSL Modem to anyother place / floor and the network will be a mix of Windows XP and Windows Vista Machines.

In my HOME I just want to access the Internet anywhere on the Floor and when my HOME PC is Switched ON I wud like to access files on it (again Wirelessly).

In My Office I would like to build a foundation for a network which will in 12-18 months grow to total 4 PCs excluding the laptop. Any of these PCs should be able to use the Internet Connection when they require.The Office PCs will be however a mix of Wired and Wireless PC/Laptop.

I would also like to a Print Server and a facility to centrally store my file (which are not much in size less than 4GB mainly MS Office docs)

both the Print Server and the facility to centrally store the files is VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME (but w/o keeping any PC turned ON)

I was thinking the following setup.

In my HOME:
A ADSL Modem cum Wireless Access Point (always ON)
(I will dump the current modem as it is giving some problems)

In my Office:
A Wireless Router with 4 Port Ethernet Switch, 802.11g (no Draft n for me), Advanced Firewall, Qos Support, a Print Server and perhaprs a facility to add a USB Flash Drive for accessing my files from any PC.

The Access Point on the second floor will connect to the Router on the Ground Floor via a Cat 6 cable.

I would like to know if my design is technically and logically correct and where can I improve esp on costs, I would like converting my Office Network to a Gigabyte Ehternet in Future if possible.

I would also like to know if it is possible to add a USB Flash Drive in the Router's USB Port and use it as a File Server. All my Shared Files would rest on this Flash Drive and any Computer on the Network will access it from there.

I donot need the High Capacity Devices like NAS as the total Size of the Files to be shared is very small (less than 4 GB) and a Flash Drive can easily accomodate them.

Please advice me as I am new into these things. I would Prefer D-Link Hardware beacuse my Current Wi-fi Cards (2 nos.) (802.11g model: DWL G520+) are from Dlink.

Thanks to all you wonderful people out there.

Greenstead · #2 07-31-2007, 01:01 PM

I suggest:

2nd floor:
ADSL wireless 11G router with 4 port switch e.g. DSL-2640B.
Cat 5 cable to ground floor.

Office:
Wireless 11G router with gigabit lan ports and print server e.g. DI-724GU
(though you do not need the router component it fits your other needs).

A flash drive is not a good way to store documents. Use one of the PCs with a USB drive attached for nightly backup - I would suggest on the 2nd floor for security from burglary.