Switch Help Please

[alliercollins]

Hi,

I am one of those people that can't make a decision about anything and will never proceed until I finally have it made. I am kind fo stuck right now, as I need to buy a large amount of hardware and also a laptop, which is the only thing I have managed to actually buy so far. That came with searching through the top 20 sites for days until i found just the right one.

Anyway I did that for all the other hardware I need and was able to make informed decisions, however there is one thing holding me back and it's a switch.

To tell you the truth, I have never done any networking in the past and know absolutely nothing about switches. I did a lookup on pricegrabber and came up with 137 pages of results.

First off... A router is out of the questions because of the policy where I am going. A switch is the only way to go for me, to be able to share internet with various computers. each will have it's own ip and so forth. I expect to run different windows and linux operating systems, as well as Gameservers and Web Servers. So I need something that will hold up and offer great speed.

I am fairly happy with looking at the 8 port ones, though I could possibly go as low as 5. I have looked at these:

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=349656/search=switch/ut=44724220c58b58d1

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=580946/search=switch%25208%2520port/ut=44724220c58b58d1

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3439/search=switch%25208%2520port/ut=44724220c58b58d1

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=541432/search=switch%25208%2520port/ut=44724220c58b58d1

However, I simply can't decide. I don't know if one has better features or something along those lines... Or if perhaps I am aiming for the wrong ones all together.

Like I have said, I can't move on until I make a truely informed decision, but I am just not capable of doing that in this case. I am just wondering if someone can take 10 minutes and look this through and perhaps work me towards an informed decision on one. I really don't want something that isn't going to work right, that lacks needed features, or that will somehow make me very vulnerable when I plug it in.

Thank you in advance to anyone who may be able to help or who at least attempts to or would if they knew how to ;)

[cheapprick]

I've always had a thing for D-link. I have one myself, bought entirely on the basis of their lifetime warranty.

[Krell]

Stick with the D-Link

here are two more:

D-Link DSS-5+ 5-Port Desktop Switch Retail ***(Free 2nd Day)***
Easily create a high-speed Ethernet network!

http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=252443



My Choice . . . better features.

D-Link DSS-8+ 8-Port Desktop Switch Retail ***(Free 2nd Day)***
Easily create a high-speed Ethernet network!
http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=252445


This has free shipping is a known trusted reputable company.


Note : I want you to keep in mind that some NICs dont work well with Auto Sensing and if you ever get slow speed, set the NIC properties to 100\Full.

[alliercollins]

thanks for the help, both of you.... Krell, I'm going to purchase the 8 port one you showed me... Just one question though, if you don't mind... Lets say I could hit 200 Mbps, which I know I won't be able to, but I might be able to come close... What is this full duplex mode they are talking about? Would I need two NIC cards to be able to handle it?

I mean I have heard that Windows 2000 can take 2 connections and load balance them. Is that what this is, in this case?

[Krell]

Just use a good NIC and you will most likely be fine


Half-Duplex - Half-duplex data transmission means that data can be transmitted in both directions on a signal carrier, but not at the same time.

Full-Duplex - Full-duplex data transmission means that data can be transmitted in both directions on a signal carrier at the same time. A local area network with a technology that has full-duplex transmission, one workstation can be sending data on the line while another workstation is receiving data.

[CCSDUDE]

What kinda network are you looking to work with?

If you haven't picked up the mobo yet the newest Gigabyte (around 180 vs it's lower models at 105-130) has two network interface 'cards' built in...and two cat5/ethernet plugs on board.

Which means you can use it as a network gateway....from cable/dsl or whatever through it then onto whatever else.

And for that extra few bucks you get a load of goodies...

A slew of firewire ports + a PCI slot cover with 2 more...same for USB...
2 Serial ATA plugs + a backplate with molex power and SATA cable out...
Dual BIOS (incase the first gets fucked by OC'ing or anything else...)
AGP8x/Pro....
6 channel power regulator...
6channel sound....
4 IDE channels (plus RAID0+1 config)

And a load of other crap that should last you at least 5+ years before needing to upgrade...

The BIOS also support upping FSB speed and voltage on vcore/ram/AGP in tiny increments...along with monitoring a slew of different temps and voltage from the PSU.

It's an all around kick ass board...just check out any top 20 site..I'm sure it'll be up there...

[alliercollins]

Thanks again Krell, very helpful.

CCSDUDE I appreciate the effort, but I am going to be broke after this... I just threw $4,000 down on a new laptop and I still have tons of parts to buy. I am going to write that down for the future though...

Note to Krell, just seeing the Grammatron Cleric makes me think about how underrated that movie is :)

[CCSDUDE]

Originally posted by alliercollins
Thanks again Krell, very helpful.

CCSDUDE I appreciate the effort, but I am going to be broke after this... I just threw $4,000 down on a new laptop and I still have tons of parts to buy. I am going to write that down for the future though...

Note to Krell, just seeing the Grammatron Cleric makes me think about how underrated that movie is :)

I'm sure many will agree with me on this...

Go with a good motherboard over the minor stuff like the case and even the CPU or ram...you can always upgrade down the line and get yourself the brand spankin' new CPU with the 'leet' name or the speedy ram with the whacky heat spreaders, but you'll take a nice hit every time you upgrade the motherboard and it'll always be a hassle if older stuff you have won't work with it.

Take it from someone whose learned from his mistakes over the years...lol make sure you have a strong motherboard that'll take all you throw at it and more. : )

[alliercollins]

I don't think you get it.. I already have an almost new computer that runs very well, I simply needed something cheap to split the connection up. This is just a private network for me... For my laptop, webserver, gameserver, and desktop. All of which are brand new or almost brand new. I can't afford to throw down for more stuff right now. I appreciate the effort though. I really don't understand why you want me to buy a motherboard with all that stuff when I only need to split my connection with a cheap switch. :)

[CCSDUDE]

Originally posted by alliercollins
I don't think you get it.. I already have an almost new computer that runs very well, I simply needed something cheap to split the connection up. This is just a private network for me... For my laptop, webserver, gameserver, and desktop. All of which are brand new or almost brand new. I can't afford to throw down for more stuff right now. I appreciate the effort though. I really don't understand why you want me to buy a motherboard with all that stuff when I only need to split my connection with a cheap switch. :)

Oh lmfao

Hell I'm a cheap ass when it comes to 'link' systems or mp3 boxes...

I thought you were building a main rig that you wished to hook up to the laptop from time to time.

If it's cheapo time just grab one of those 40 some dollar (I saw some dude selling one brand new for 10) gigabyte's that has the basics. I think the model number is 7ZXE (SD Ram model) or 7ZXR for DDR

AMD XP support simple 100/133mhz jumper for FSB ...thats about it.

Cheap ass netgear NIC and one of the above mentioned gateways will do ya.

Got any plywood laying around...chuck it all on that and cover it with some cardboard box in the corner.

Ah and from personal experience with this mobo...clock the cpu at 100mhz FSB....it'll last longer and run cooler obviously and the 'boost' at 133 isn't all that great unless you need to pull as much outta the chip as you can.

You could probably get away with some used K6...but if new is what ya want go for it.

[Psilaxs]

Originally posted by CCSDUDE
Oh lmfao

Hell I'm a cheap ass when it comes to 'link' systems or mp3 boxes...

I thought you were building a main rig that you wished to hook up to the laptop from time to time.

If it's cheapo time just grab one of those 40 some dollar (I saw some dude selling one brand new for 10) gigabyte's that has the basics. I think the model number is 7ZXE (SD Ram model) or 7ZXR for DDR

AMD XP support simple 100/133mhz jumper for FSB ...thats about it.

Cheap ass netgear NIC and one of the above mentioned gateways will do ya.

Got any plywood laying around...chuck it all on that and cover it with some cardboard box in the corner.

Ah and from personal experience with this mobo...clock the cpu at 100mhz FSB....it'll last longer and run cooler obviously and the 'boost' at 133 isn't all that great unless you need to pull as much outta the chip as you can.

You could probably get away with some used K6...but if new is what ya want go for it.

You done beating this guy over the head with your excessive 1337 computer knowledge d00d? lol :devil


(you know im joking around with you css)

Still though, you are the tangent king :) lol

Later man.

[Malakai1911]

"A router is out of the questions because of the policy where I am going"

Why didnt anyone else question this?

What company is keeping you from getting a router?

[alliercollins]

Question this? Yeah, I like to make up BS stories about routers so I can talk about "lesser" switches. When did I say it was a company? :P

[Malakai1911]

When you used the word policy, I assumed you meant a TOS agreement with whomever is providing your service.

[Krell]

Originally posted by Malakai1911
"A router is out of the questions because of the policy where I am going"

Why didnt anyone else question this?

What company is keeping you from getting a router?

Why dont you just let him make his own choices instead of trying to once again show off? If you cant simply answer a question, stay the hell out of the thread, and stop second guessing the rest of us.


lol @ alliercollins

[Malakai1911]

@Krell - Im not trying to "show off". If I thought he was an idiot, I'd have called him one.

But, nobody else raised the question "well, why not a router?" So, I figure I would.

All he said his reason was is... "policy". WHAT FUCKING POLICY?

Jesus christ. All I did was ask a question. Fuck you too.

Edit: Plus the fact that your 8 port switch is about as expensive as a cheap 5 port router O_o.

And how do you like my new custom title, got any suggestions?

[Krell]

The policy . . is . . NON OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS, are you dense?

If he had wanted to state the environment in which he will use this, ie campus, then he would have SAID what he meant. Youre too busy making your point to discern the descretion.

As far as price goes, yes, it IS the same price as a router, even more expensive than some, but he didnt ASK for a router, and I afforded him the respect to answer his question without insinuating that he was inept. So stop assuming he meant TOS with a providor, and leave it alone already.


Youre such an opportunist, he asks one question about a terminlogy, and you see it as a licence to give him the inquisition.

Yes I have the same suggetion I had last time, stfu already.

[Malakai1911]

Omg krell, sometimes I like your opinion. Great title.

Fine, I may have not had the "right" to ask him, whatever. The fact of the matter is, I still did. It seemed odd to me that he would rather have a plain 'ole switch. After all, its not every day someone says they need a switch instead of a router.

Once again, thx for the title idea. It's a keeper.

[Psilaxs]

Other then being against policy.

One HUGE reason for wanting a switch instead of a router is, ever try to host a game server from behind a router with 4-5 computers all sharing the same IP though the router??

It is a pain in the ass beyond belief, plus i believe he mentioned hosting a web server as well.

[Krell]

Hey dont mention it, in fact, the next time you go to a party where they have those little name tags you stick on your shirt, you can just use that same logo, you may want to consider having your name legally changed to it.

You could also have it tatood on top of your hand, as a reminder, untill it sinks in.

[alliercollins]

Krell, I really appreciate you sticking up for me....

If you guys must know, this is for my university. Being this is Zeropaid and the RIAA is probably around, I am going to leave out the name.

This university is top ten in the nation in every computer category and most other ones. I was lucky enough to get in for Information Technology.

They have an open internet policy, with many high speed (155 Mbps, 55 Mbps, and Wireless) connection options. They don't care if you file share, put a web server (or game server), or anything else on the line. No packets are checked and nothing is firewalled. They actually promote running your own webservers if you are going for programming...

Anyway each computer gets it's own unique ip and so forth, however the only thing stated is that routers are not allowed. I don't know why and I don't question it. All I know is that I have verified all information through reading through their site and by also double checking by contacting their offices directly and making sure what I was reading was correct.

Alternatively, my friend lives 20 minutes from campus and has a t1 line, so I have a fallback anyway.

Malakai1911, I might not be smart with networking, but I believe I stated that right off. I have done my research for the most part and I tried to make an intelligent request for guidance on buying a Switch. Krell answered it very well and I have since made my purchase.

Thank you once again Krell.

[Malakai1911]

@ alliercollins - In no way was I calling you stupid, you asked a completely reasonable question. I was just wondering what the "policy" was. Alright, it specified you cant have a router, thats all I was asking.

If I came across as having condescending manner, that was in no way my intention.