Help With Basic Network

[dcf-joe]

I am wondering if I need a router or a switch.

I have new internet service and I am trying to revamp my network. I have a cable modem that has a single output on it. Now, I have two PCs, one Roku, and two televisions that I plan on receiving hardwired internet. I am not looking to do anything advanced, I just want to take the one internet output from the cable modem and give internet to all of the devices I listed. What do I need?

 

[newtekie1]

Router.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

you can call your ISP, they can fulfill your needs with any gear you need. Plus they would supply the latest and greatest, kinda. But monthly rental rates would be more than if you purchased gear yourself.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Just a Switch needed as you only want more lan ports

 

[RCoon]

Router.

/Thread
Get yourself an 4/8 port router with some nice wireless (802.11ac preferably).

 

[Kursah]

I am wondering if I need a router or a switch.

I have new internet service and I am trying to revamp my network. I have a cable modem that has a single output on it. Now, I have two PCs, one Roku, and two televisions that I plan on receiving hardwired internet. I am not looking to do anything advanced, I just want to take the one internet output from the cable modem and give internet to all of the devices I listed. What do I need?

Get a router. Most have a 4-port switch built-in. If you need more connections than that, buy a cheap TP-Link or Netgear switch (I vote Netgear). That will multiply the available port connections you have for your LAN.

I am a fan of Asus routers, have two that I only use as wireless access points because I have a bit more complex network setup for my lab. But an Asus router with MerlinWRT (which is a modified AsusWRT) is a good way to go. I don't prefer AIO routers, but for users that want to follow K.I.S.S. a wireless router (i.e. AIO router) is really the way to go.

Just don't go spending $300 on one...they start losing value pretty quick after $100 IMHO. Though that is also because I know I can get better performing hardware for similar prices at that point...but they generally take more time to setup. Worth it though!

 

[r9]

Get a router.
You provable gonna need Wireless if not now provable later on.
For the number of devices you have you don't need anything expensive any one would do.

 

[dcf-joe]

I was reading the other thread and I was going to get this EdgeRouter POE: https://www.ubnt.com/edgemax/edgerouter-poe/

The only issue is that I only have basic networking knowledge, I don't feel like having to take four hours to setup the router when all I need is plug and play.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Just a Switch needed as you only want more lan ports

Nooooooo. He has a modem, not a router. He is likely connected direct to modem right now, which means he is wide open to the world. A Switch won't change that. He needs a router.

Then later if he wants to get more advanced and spread further while minimizing wires he can get a switch.

 

[Kursah]

The GUI for EdgeRouters is easy enough to navigate and there's YouTube and written guides on how to setup these devices. Going POE, you could get a cheap UniFi AP or an AC version for a little more and power it directly from the router.

You'll also want to use a separate switch, you can setup the extra ports on the EdgeRouter to act as a switch (bridging ports), but it would be better to just have a switch dedicated IMHO...that is if you even needed extra Ethernet ports.

Ubiquity makes good stuff. It is a good way to expand your basic network knowledge, and there's several of us on here that have setup plenty of these devices to be able to assist you. Plus the 1.9.x firmware versions webgui is much better than what I started with in earlier versions! They are good firewalls and the nice thing about UBNT devices like UniFi AP's and EdgeRouters, they're usually set and forget. So you might invest more time into setting up better network gear, but it should pay off in reliability and long-term maintenance. Worth it to me IMHO.

You could go for the slightly more user friendly Ubiquity USG series, uses the web interface the UniFI AP's do.

I prefer the EdgeRouter, but I also don't worry as much about getting into CLI to run some commands to do what I need if it is beyond the scope of the GUI (which for most users won't be the case any longer with these devices). There is a setup wizard that walks you through most of the router config, setting up your WAN port, 2 LAN in bridge (or more), the firewall, does it all pretty quickly.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Nooooooo. He has a modem, not a router. He is likely connected direct to modem right now, which means he is wide open to the world. A Switch won't change that. He needs a router.

Then later if he wants to get more advanced and spread further while minimizing wires he can get a switch.

oHHH We have no such thing here in ZA thought its Adsl/Fiber/3-4G .All our isp use routers -- 4 port Router it is then with a switch if needed