HELP Regarding Network Design and Equipments

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.

udi

i would put the wireless router at the adsl location. a wireless adsl
modem/router would cover upstairs and provide the needed
nat/firewall/dns/dhcp services for the rest of the network you generally
want the smartest device at the entrance point so it serves the rest of the
network. then if the wireless doesn't cover the ground floor well enough
you can run a cable down there from the router for an access point/hub in
the office.

I have never noticed a router/access point that offered usb support for
flash drives. they can contain print servers which might be a handy thing
to have. if you want shared disk space without a pc there are direct
ethernet connectable disk drives made for that purpose. get one that is big
enough so you can do backups of files from all the other machines to it...
not just stuff you want to share or carry around, use it for real backups,
especially for business stuff. you will be amazed at how much you should
really back up, from copies of accounting files, email backups, other
records, and other documents. its much better to build that into the
network than to wish you had it after you lose something important.


"udi" <> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
>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.
>

Dave

Hi
Your general thinking g is correct.
Do not look for a magic Wireless Router that can do much more than good
Wireless. The combos that offer every think usually are usually below the
state of the art on the individual components.
Get a Network printer, and if you want to do it wirelessly fit it with a
Wireless client card (http://www.ezlan.net/prtserver.html ).
There are simple NAS' that can accommodate USB Flash drive.
This page include different scenarios that can help in Bridging,
http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html
For 802.11g prefer the Buffalo Wireless hardware, it offer more flexibility
and it more stable than most other End-Users Wireless hardware (
http://www.ezlan.net/buffalo.html ).
By now all of 802.11g are highly compatible and you do not have to worry
about one Brand cards using another brand Access Point.
Disclaimer: I have No connection with any of the Hardware providers, or
and, the vendors that I mentioned above.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"udi" <> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
>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.
>

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).

I really like the D-Link DIR-655 Draft N router (backwards
compatible with all you G wireless, etc.). It has gigabit Ethernet
which is a plus on the local LAN side. Everyone I've recommended
this router to seems quite happy.

Before I had the 655, I used a D-Link DGL-4300. Gigabit ethernet on
the wired side, but G only on the wireless. I was also happy with
this device, but once I started getting draft N wireless cards,
etc., I wanted to move on to the 655.



On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:47:20 -0000, udi <> wrote:

>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.
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Barb Bowman

Hi
The problem that I have is this statement that appears in small type in the
655 Data Sheet.
Quote: "This product is based on IEEE draft 802.11n specifications and is
not guaranteed to be
forward compatible with future versions of IEEE 802.11n specifications.
Compatibility
with draft 802.11n devices from other manufacturers is not guaranteed. All
references
to speed and range are for comparison purposes only. Product specifications,
size and
shape are subject to change without notice, and actual product appearance
may differ
from that depicted herein". (End of Quote).
ftp://ftp10.dlink.com/pdfs/products/...DIR-655_ds.pdf
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Barb Bowman" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I really like the D-Link DIR-655 Draft N router (backwards
> compatible with all you G wireless, etc.). It has gigabit Ethernet
> which is a plus on the local LAN side. Everyone I've recommended
> this router to seems quite happy.
>
> Before I had the 655, I used a D-Link DGL-4300. Gigabit ethernet on
> the wired side, but G only on the wireless. I was also happy with
> this device, but once I started getting draft N wireless cards,
> etc., I wanted to move on to the 655.
>
>
>
> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:47:20 -0000, udi <> wrote:
>
>>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.
> --
>
> Barb Bowman
> MS Windows-MVP
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).

I don't think that anyone with Draft N can **guarantee** forward
compatibility/upgradeability to an unknown final spec, although
anyone that has made it from Draft 1.0 to 2.0 has a pretty good
chance of upgradeability to the final standard.

It has a disclaimer about compat with other manufactuers Draft N
gear, but is standards compatible with all certified G gear. It
seems to work, BTW, just fine with some Broadcom based Draft N
client NICs. The speed and range thing is pretty standard. And I've
certainly seen changes externally and internally in gear from other
vendors.

I suppose that these disclaimers would apply to anyone in the Draft
N arena. Still, as a standards based 802.11g device, it really is
top notch.




On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:27:32 -0400, "Jack \(MVP-Networking\)."
<> wrote:

>Hi
>The problem that I have is this statement that appears in small type in the
>655 Data Sheet.
>Quote: "This product is based on IEEE draft 802.11n specifications and is
>not guaranteed to be
>forward compatible with future versions of IEEE 802.11n specifications.
>Compatibility
>with draft 802.11n devices from other manufacturers is not guaranteed. All
>references
>to speed and range are for comparison purposes only. Product specifications,
>size and
>shape are subject to change without notice, and actual product appearance
>may differ
>from that depicted herein". (End of Quote).
>ftp://ftp10.dlink.com/pdfs/products/...DIR-655_ds.pdf
>Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>"Barb Bowman" <> wrote in message
>news:.. .
>>I really like the D-Link DIR-655 Draft N router (backwards
>> compatible with all you G wireless, etc.). It has gigabit Ethernet
>> which is a plus on the local LAN side. Everyone I've recommended
>> this router to seems quite happy.
>>
>> Before I had the 655, I used a D-Link DGL-4300. Gigabit ethernet on
>> the wired side, but G only on the wireless. I was also happy with
>> this device, but once I started getting draft N wireless cards,
>> etc., I wanted to move on to the 655.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:47:20 -0000, udi <> wrote:
>>
>>>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.
>> --
>>
>> Barb Bowman
>> MS Windows-MVP
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
>> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Barb Bowman