What Does Your Network Look Like?

from JoeUser Forums

Since we should hopefully be into our new house around June, I thought it was time to start planning out my new home office.  With this new house, I had to give up a dedicated room for an office so the kids can all have their own room.  No big deal though, as I have taken a part of the formal living room and made that the space for my new area.

I was wondering how my network was actually setup, and if there was anything I could do to consolidate some things, or if there was anything additional I might need. 

Home network

One item that I need to address is the printer.  It’s very difficult to print from various machines around the house, so a wireless printer might be the way to go.  My router is old, and that is something that might need to be upgraded as well.  If the internet coming in works as I instructed them to wire it, I will most likely be able to remove some items like the Xbox off wireless, and just plug them in to their own Cat-5.    But until we actually get in it’s still a bit hard to tell exactly how I’m going to get this all setup.

So, what does your home network look like?

123,847 views 30 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Fio's router ,all pc's hooking to it by wifi, printer sharing.  nothin special..

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Same as HG, except not Fio...but Lisa. 

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Demigod Forums Top

Mine is Ghetto nailed to the wall, utilizing the handle of a plastic bag also nailed to hold up my modem :D

Reply #4 from Demigod Forums Top

Looks good but you're definatly gonna need to replace that Wii with a PS3.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Nice topic ID.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Looks good but you're definatly gonna need to replace that Wii with a PS3.

I have no desire for a PS3.  They are overpriced and offer no games that I can't get on the 360.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

This is my office @ home.  Yeah...

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Shirley...you might want to concider going wireless. :grin:

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Mine's a cross between:

  and

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Mine often looks like two computers and a bunch of wires and me standing there saying..... "why the !#$%^& aren't you two talking?"

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 6

Looks good but you're definatly gonna need to replace that Wii with a PS3.
I have no desire for a PS3.  They are overpriced and offer no games that I can't get on the 360.

Little big planet. It may not be worth the full price of a PS3, but really... It's pure genious. :)

 

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I know you're asking more about what our networks look like than looking for comments on yours.  I'll try and make up a nice chart and show you later on..  Right now:

-Use some print sharing or a wirless printer for your printing needs.  Honestly, I'd go with the wireless printer..  It's a lot easier to set up and tends to work better.  Usually HP printers would best for this (I've found)..

-The consoles (at least the ones you game online a lot with..  probably your 360) should infact be a CAT5 connection.  The wireless gives you too much lag usually and it's a lot more fun to kill people on GoW2 when they are more laggy than you..  :)

Other than that...  you have a pretty solid network topology.  Besides the printer being wireless (or shared.. bleh..) and the consoles being on CAT5..  Everything else looks pretty good.  :)

Check out some of HPs wireless printers here:  http://h20219.www2.hp.com/hho/cache/600943-0-0-225-121.html

The HP Officejet 6500 Wireless All-in-One Printer, Fax, Scanner, Copier for $199 is a pretty nice one overall.  :)

EDIT:  Had to fix up the link for the printer..  This one is good.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Mine is not like I would want to have it, but it works

INET (DL/UL: 50/10 Mbit) -> Wireless router (DI-524) -> [PC (wired)] [PS3 (wired)]

The wlan is mainly for friends dropping by with their laptops and stuff.

 

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Cynthdivide, reply 12
I know you're asking more about what our networks look like than looking for comments on yours.  I'll try and make up a nice chart and show you later on..  Right now:

-Use some print sharing or a wirless printer for your printing needs.  Honestly, I'd go with the wireless printer..  It's a lot easier to set up and tends to work better.  Usually HP printers would best for this (I've found)..

-The consoles (at least the ones you game online a lot with..  probably your 360) should infact be a CAT5 connection.  The wireless gives you too much lag usually and it's a lot more fun to kill people on GoW2 when they are more laggy than you.. 

Other than that...  you have a pretty solid network topology.  Besides the printer being wireless (or shared.. bleh..) and the consoles being on CAT5..  Everything else looks pretty good. 

Check out some of HPs wireless printers here:  http://h20219.www2.hp.com/hho/cache/600943-0-0-225-121.html

The HP Officejet 6500 Wireless All-in-One Printer, Fax, Scanner, Copier for $199 is a pretty nice one overall. 

EDIT:  Had to fix up the link for the printer..  This one is good.

Excellent choice, Cynth! :thumbsup:  But I'd probably look for it on NewEgg.com to compare prices.... :grin:

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well things at my place are bit more organized. Plus we use a N-router; but not all the system have N cable cards yet.

Soon I hope! But may be buying more stuff soon for Office and Living Room.

 

 

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

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Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 16
My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

There's nothing wrong with your network, you just need to buy it the right presents. :P

Reply #18 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 16
My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

 

lol  ;)

 

Here's a look at my home-network:

Internet connection #1  >>  Router  >>  [2x Acer Aspire One (wifi)]  [2x Acer Aspire notebooks (wifi)]  [Macbook Pro (wifi)]

 

Internet connection #2  >>  Switch  >>  Router 1  >>  [perimeter network]  [iMac (wifi)]  [DELL Axim PDA (wifi)]  [DELL Inspiron notebook (wifi)]  [Nintendo Wii (wifi)]  [Xbox 360]  [2x custom gaming PC's]  [Xerox document centre]  [HP all-in-one (wifi)]

 

Internet connection #2  >>  Switch  >>  Router 2  >>  [internal network]  [3x servers]  [DELL Inspiron notebook]  [NAS]  [3x custom desktops]  [Lexmark e120n]

 

....and my wife claims we have too much E-waste in our home!   *_*    hehe

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting the_Monk, reply 18
Quoting Fuzzy Logic, reply 16My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

 

lol  

 

Here's a look at my home-network:

Internet connection #1  >>  Router  >>  [2x Acer Aspire One (wifi)]  [2x Acer Aspire notebooks (wifi)]  [Macbook Pro (wifi)]

 

Internet connection #2  >>  Switch  >>  Router 1  >>  [perimeter network]  [iMac (wifi)]  [DELL Axim PDA (wifi)]  [DELL Inspiron notebook (wifi)]  [Nintendo Wii (wifi)]  [Xbox 360]  [2x custom gaming PC's]  [Xerox document centre]  [HP all-in-one (wifi)]

 

Internet connection #2  >>  Switch  >>  Router 2  >>  [internal network]  [3x servers (domain, exchange, ISA)]  [DELL Inspiron notebook]  [NAS]  [3x custom desktops]  [Lexmark e120n]

 

....and my wife claims we have too much E-waste in our home!      hehe

Got just the answer: Tell her you'll clean up all the dirt and mess the computers make if she does the rest. XD

Of course, you'll never ...you know what... again, but....

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 16
My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

Sounds like maybe your firewall is on and a bit too secure.  lol..  You might need a firmware upgrade..  although, those types of networks don't accept discs or PXE..  I'd recommend you try some flowers..  Then at least the connection will be decent for a day or two.  lol

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Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Shelbygt_the_Car~!, reply 15
Well things at my place are bit more organized. Plus we use a N-router; but not all the system have N cable cards yet.

Soon I hope! But may be buying more stuff soon for Office and Living Room.


Sheesh! Amazing set-up, Shelby!!!

Quoting Cynthdivide, reply 20
Quoting Fuzzy Logic, reply 16My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

Sounds like maybe your firewall is on and a bit too secure.  lol..  You might need a firmware upgrade..  although, those types of networks don't accept discs or PXE..  I'd recommend you try some flowers..  Then at least the connection will be decent for a day or two.  lol

XD Got me laughing...thanks, Cynth!

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'd recommend you try some flowers.. Then at least the connection will be decent for a day or two. lol

I'm just going to upgrade to version 2.0...

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 10
Mine often looks like two computers and a bunch of wires and me standing there saying..... "why the !#$%^& aren't you two talking?"

Same here, mate! ;)

Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting the_Monk, reply 18

Quoting Fuzzy Logic, reply 16My network is like a woman: I play with it for hours and no matter what I do, it's uncooperative, fails to perform like it used to when first connected, won't communicate and eventually pisses me off.

 

lol  

 

Here's a look at my home-network:

Internet connection #1  >>  Router  >>  [2x Acer Aspire One (wifi)]  [2x Acer Aspire notebooks (wifi)]  [Macbook Pro (wifi)]

 

Internet connection #2  >>  Switch  >>  Router 1  >>  [perimeter network]  [iMac (wifi)]  [DELL Axim PDA (wifi)]  [DELL Inspiron notebook (wifi)]  [Nintendo Wii (wifi)]  [Xbox 360]  [2x custom gaming PC's]  [Xerox document centre]  [HP all-in-one (wifi)]

 

Internet connection #2  >>  Switch  >>  Router 2  >>  [internal network]  [3x servers]  [DELL Inspiron notebook]  [NAS]  [3x custom desktops]  [Lexmark e120n]

 

....and my wife claims we have too much E-waste in our home!      hehe

 

LOL :)

 

Here is mine:

 

Internet C. >> Router lan/wifi >> MacBook Pro + gadgets (work room/wifi) >> MacMini as media centre (living room/wifi) >> iPod Touch (kitchen and garden/wifi)

 

No PCz here and everything works great :p

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm just going to upgrade to version 2.0...

I tried that once actually..  I was downgraded myself by about 5 versions.  Tricky work trying to upgrade your type of network...  I'm still about a version or so away from where I was originally.  :)