How should my network look?

[GavX]

Hey all, I have a wee question for you:

Moved into a new flat about 3 months ago, and only really got round to sorting out my computer-y parts this week. But I have a network dilema.

I have a fair ammount of things to network, not sure what would be the best way to do it.

I have in the livingroom (with the phonepoint) a media pc, wii and soon xbox.

In the study I have my gaming pc, file server and NAS.

Only problem is how to I get them to all talk nicely?

I currently have a Talktalk Wireless G pile of crap modem with a whopping 1 ethernet port, and I need more than that.

I can't lay down cables across the hall as this is a rented flat and the livingroom and study are a fair bit away from one and other, so I was thinking either new wireless router, or homeplug?

With the wireless option, everything but the NAS box can play along nicely, the media PC and Xbox can go ethernet to the modem in the livingroom and everything else can go wireless, but then it might be a bit slow, unreliable etc.

With homeplug I *Think* everything can get along nicely, but I need 3 ethernets in the study and 2 in the livingroom, and at £40 a plug I think not.

So any suggestions would be most helpful!

Gav

 

[hmmblah]

It doesn't really sound like you have any options besides wireless. I've never liked the homeplug stuff, I'd put it on the same level as wireless for speed and reliability, maybe a bit less. Also, if devices are on different electric circuits there can be connectivity issues.

With the wireless you will be slower of course, you won't be able to stream 1080P movies from the NAS to the xbox very reliably (if that's what you use the NAS for). 720P should be fine across wireless though.

 

[GavX]

I just have the NAS because it was shiney... not even slung in a hard drive yet

But it is apparently like a billion (11) tricks in one box like Samba, BitTorrent, UPnP etc. I think wireless might make most sense, does anyone recommend any router? Also I am with talktalk, how do I get a router to talk with talktalk, with tiscali it was enter my username and password when I added a DLink router, but the talktalk one I am sure is going to make life difficult

 

[AMDFTW]

i think its the same principle fela

 

[GavX]

Belkin Play Max worth the premium? My 2 adapters are 54mb but I imagine you can get Wireless N for cheap, so what Wireless N Router should I bother with? I like Linksys, but that is purely because Cisco own them, so not overly sure if their routers are any good, any help? Too many damn routers to choose from... if this were processors or graphics cards i'd be ok, but routers are like a foreign language to me

 

[zak4994]

Belkin, Buffalo and Netgear. Only people I would trust with routers.

You can't go wrong with them.

The Belkin Play Max doesn't come with an Ethernet cable mind you.

 

[AMDFTW]

there cheap tho

 

[GavX]

cheap? Play Max is £90 on the web or £110 in the shops, that ain't cheap! I want something thats like.. a tenner but good. Think that might not exist mind you

 

[zak4994]

cheap? Play Max is £90 on the web or £110 in the shops, that ain't cheap! I want something thats like.. a tenner but good. Think that might not exist mind you

Interesting problem.

I shall go forth on a journey through the internet for your needs.

Oh and almost any router is better than what TalkTalk have provided you like this.

 

[AMDFTW]

cheap? Play Max is £90 on the web or £110 in the shops, that ain't cheap! I want something thats like.. a tenner but good. Think that might not exist mind you

i meant ethernet cables lol