Router/Switch Suggestions

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Ok, as I've said before, I don't really know that much about networking.  I know just enough to get everything hooked up, but I know little about hardware.  What I want is a multiuse device in the following way.  I'm looking for something that would be able to run LAN gaming events as well as function as a normal router with wireless capacity.  Doesn't have to be n since all n devices can function off of g right?  Just not the other way around.  Unless dual band functions reasonably well and doesn't add much to the price.  The idea would be to use this at home as well as to lug it around to lan events with friends.

[HeK]

Karrde link=topic=5794.msg215340#msg215340 date=1310837388]
What I want is a multiuse device in the following way.  I'm looking for something that would be able to run LAN gaming events as well as function as a normal router with wireless capacity.

As most home wireless routers only have 4-5 ports, you are best off getting a router and a switch.
Depending on the size of your LAN events, there are a number of different choices. 24 port switches generally give you the best density for the cost. You can get up to 48-ports before they get crazy.
SMC and Netgear aren't too bad for the price. Cisco Small-Business switches are also a decent deal. For a lan party, you generally don't need to make use of managed switches, unless you want to do network diagnostics... but that's quite evolved.

Karrde link=topic=5794.msg215340#msg215340 date=1310837388]
Doesn't have to be n since all n devices can function off of g right?  Just not the other way around.  Unless dual band functions reasonably well and doesn't add much to the price.

N has two modes, pure and backwards. N devices can connect to N-Pure, N-Backwards, G and B (sometimes A) while G-devices can connect to N-backwards, G and B but not N-Pure.
If you are buying a new wireless router, I would advise going with N.



To really suggest something, I'd need to know what size of event you plan on running. When Luin and I were hosting lan parties, we used three D-Link 24-port switches, four Intel managed 24-port switches and a dedicated Linux server for dhcp, dns and hosting patches and updates.  Most of it was old SMB gear we got off ebay.

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Did some looking.  Are all switches that would be useful for LAN that absurdly expensive?

*edit*

AH NM, those were all KVM.

[HeK]

The switches that you'd be looking at should be in the $120 range, not exceeding $300 new.

I'd personally buy used Cisco 2900 or 3600 series. Tho then you have to learn how to configure them.
The switches I use at work are in the $7k-$15k range.