[xxProto]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and am looking for a bit of expert advice on setting up my new network.

I recently remodeled my home and installed wired ethernet ports all around the house, about 20 in total. They are all running to my closet on a shelf where I will have all the networking stuff located. I have Comcast Cable as an ISP, my dl is around 24Mbps and my ul is around 3Mbps. The cable modem is plugged into a Linksys WRT54G2, which has 2 wired devices and the rest being broadcasted wirelessly. Here's a list of the devices using the router in the house:

-2 Desktop Computers (gigabit capable)
-2 Laptop Computers (using wireless-g)
-HP Printer (can be wired or wireless)
-TiVo Box (wireless-g)
-2 Xbox 360 Consoles (1 is currently wired, other is using wireless-g)
-HD Cable Box
-iPod Touch

Now this is where I need help. I need to make sure that all the Ethernet ports in the house will be able to access the network and the internet. I need to have a network fast enough to stream media throughout the house, and share internet connection amongst devices without hogging the bandwidth.

Also, on the side, from what I hear, my connection speed is very strong, but the Xbox doesn't reflect that sometimes in-game, mostly while hosting games on Xbox Live. I need to make sure that the Xbox is getting the fastest speed possible from the internet, with the best ping/connection possible. If I need to set something up to prioritize the console's connection over other devices, I will be glad to. I set up a DMZ already on the router for the Xbox to make sure it isn't blocking any ports, but it doesn't look like it affects connection strength. Should I be having trouble hosting games with players on the opposite coast with a 24/3 speed connection? (usually only up to 12 players)

I am open to buying new equipment, like routers and port switches. I am also open to tweaking device or router settings to get the best performance. I mainly just need to know how to set up the network so we are getting the full speed from the internet connection while still allowing plenty of bandwidth for other devices in the network, except if prioritizing the Xbox connection.

I'd greatly appreciate any help or links to resources or tips. Thanks in advance!

[JohnWill]

Well, for maximum performance all around, you'll want a gigabit switch connecting all the boxes, and the router's only connection a single cable to the switch. This will have all local network traffic going through the switch and not being slowed down by the 100mbit ports on the router.

As far as all the devices being wireless, that will be a MAJOR bottleneck with that many connections! I prefer wired connections for anything that isn't moving around. You might also use a second router at a remote part of the house wired as an access point to spread the wireless traffic between two connections.

Note that you don't need to connect all 20 of those wires to the switch if they're not in use. Something like this 16 port D-Link gigabit switch would probably do. If you later want to connect the remaining four wires, a 5 or 8 port expansion switch would do the job, but I suspect you'll never need more than 16 ports.

[xxProto]

Thanks for all the info! But, since the switch is still wired to the router, and the router is the device that is actually designating the network addresses and local IP addresses for all the devices in the house, wouldn't the router be slowing the gigabit connections down during the actual process of making the network work?

[JohnWill]

Nope, the router is just handing out the address, once the connection is made between two peers on the LAN, the traffic goes direct. I have my network setup in exactly this way, and I get gigabit transfers all around.

[xxProto]

Great, thanks! Just one more thing, is there a reason my Xbox can't host a 12 slot game very well with a 24/3 speed? Would QoS help with this?

Also, once I get this network set up, most of the devices will become wired, with the exception of the iPod.

[JohnWill]

Well, I'm not a game player, so I'm probably not the best guy to answer. Are there any guidelines to what bandwidth is required? Note that your upload bandwidth is probably the limiting factor, I seriously doubt that a 24mbit bandwidth limits you. I have a 20/5 service, and I don't notice any download issues, even with heavy activity on a number of workstations.