DS network

Pediatrik · Post by **Pediatrik** » 2009-10-14 17:02

Dear forum members. Back home from a two week holiday in Scopello Sicily, first my iPod Touch died (Running Konductor Beta) and then my Netgear WGR614 (wireless router) started acting funny. At first I lost the wireless connection and now It has totally freaked out, Kinsky can't find my NAS and so on. Luckily I still can access internet!

Since I'm looking at buying a new router, I'm thinking of redesigning my entire network which, until recently, included the above mentioned switch/router, broadband modem, Akurate DS, NAS and iPod Touch/MacBook Pro.

The network structure LINN recommends (LinnDocs) is; router, switch and dedicated WAP. According to LinnDocs and this excellent forum, I'm thinking Netgear RP614, Netgear GS108T and Linksys WAP200/Dlink Dwl-3200AP.

Is this the correct setup/spec or do you have any other suggestions?

Pediatrik · Post by **Pediatrik** » 2009-10-15 08:43

33 views and no comments. Maybe I should specify my question. Is a switch,router and WAP the way to go or is a switch and wireless router sufficient?!

rowlandhills · Post by **rowlandhills** » 2009-10-15 09:19

Well, the argument is that you need to have a router to split up the one connection you'll get from your ADSL/Cable supplier, and then in an ideal network you'll want to have all of the DS related kit running off one switch, separate to the rest of your network. This means that what you'd really want would be a router and a combined switch/WAP, but the problem is that no-one really makes those!

As such, if you're trying to move on from a single combined unit, you do really need to move to 3 separate ones.

What you might want to think about doing is keeping a standard all-in-one unit as your main house internet connection, acting as modem/router/switch/WAP, and then running one CAT5 cable over to a dedicated switch for the DS part of the network. To this, you then connect your DS, your NAS, and a separate WAP specifically for your DS control.

This way, any DS related network traffic (streaming audio files and control) will stay on the DS side of the switch, and your general internet browsing from elsewhere won't get onto that part of the network. However, you'll still be able to access the internet from the DS and control point for upgrades etc. Also, if your main all-in-one unit dies, or you lose your internet connection, there's no impact on the DS part of the network.

Music Lover · Post by **Music Lover** » 2009-10-15 09:51

Yes, as rowlandhills said separate the DS network.
But I also like to say, use a separate WAP and connect it to GS108. The combined boxes are not recommended by Linn.

Pediatrik · Post by **Pediatrik** » 2009-10-15 10:25

Thank you guys! Separating the DS network was something I already had in mind. The question is if you guys all have taken the LinnDocs route ie separate WAP or if this would be "overkill" since I've seen some comments that a combined box would be sufficient enough. Seems like a separate WAP is the way to go!

Do you also recommend the Linksys/D-link WAP or is there other options?

rowlandhills · Post by **rowlandhills** » 2009-10-15 11:28

I'd recommend starting by building the network based on a separate switch, and see if your main building WAP does what you need. If you have no performance problems with your control point then there's not going to be any benefit in adding a separate WAP, but if you have responsiveness or drop-out problems on the control point you can easily add one later.

Personally, I only have one WAP for the whole building (including the DS) but it is a standalone WAP rather than an all-in-one box.

Pediatrik · Post by **Pediatrik** » 2009-10-15 20:01

Just ordered Netgear RP614, Netgear GS108T and Linksys WAP200. Hopefully up and running next week!

"Only" LP12 until then!