Improving Network Speed with switch and router?

I have a business network currently set up with 6 computers, a hub, cat5 wiring, and we use Windows peer to peer networking. I share the internet through one of the computers. I want to increase the network speed and hopefully the internet speeds and get some firewall protection.





I think what I need to do is upgrade to gigabit network cards in the computers, purchase an 8-port switch that handles 10/100 and gigabit, and also add a router/firewall. Hopefully my cat5 wiring job can handle the 1 gig speeds.





My questions are does this seem like a decent plan? I am not sure how the router fits into this. Do I just cable from the DSL modem to the router, and then to the switch, which would mean I don't need multiple ports on the router, just the switch?





Would a file server be a better answer, or should I increase the network speed first and then see if I want to add a file server? Also if you could recommend good equipment that would help,as I hear switches can vary alot.

Improving Network Speed with switch and router?
A router switches traffic between different subnets (layer3)


A switch switches traffic between different ip (layer2)





The first thing you need to do is get a router, and a switch.


Increasing the network speed will do little to nothing for you in terms of browsing the internet. The internet typically comes in between 2-6 Mbits/second. Even at 10 Mbits (cat 3), you haven't maxed your connection. You already have the existing infrastructure to run at 100 Mbit/s. I have yet to see anywhere in the world that can boast that kind of speed. So don't worry about going to gigabyte, where that offers little to you in terms of a performance increase.





What would i buy for a switch/router?? I'd avoid all the consumer brands like hell (linksys, netgear, belkin, etc). I'd buy either a cisco, or an HP. Currently we have cisco switches/router at work, Cisco is an excellent company to deal with, Amazing product support, lastest and greatest features, but they are expensive. HP are great too, great product support, lifetime warranty, cheaper than cisco. Good features set too


I'd talk to both companies to see what they can offer you in terms of price/performance/feature set. If i had to do it all over again, i'd probably go with HP procurve series due to the life time warranty.





Instead of a file server, you could make a gateway server. This can server as your firewall/fileserver. There are lots of solutions out there. You could go the whole microsoft route, I'd personally like what some of the linux variants has to offer.





The one i have personal experience with is clarkconnect.


It's a linux variant that offers a highly customizable, scalable solution. You don't buy the software, you buy a support plan. It can function as a firewall, vpn concentrator, print server, db server, etc. (more task, needs more horsepower)


I use the home version at my own house. It runs on next to nothing (2 10/100 nic cards, 550mhz processor, 256 megs of ram, 20 gig drive.. basically parts i have around the house). I just use it as a firewall/gateway. I like it, cause it's runs on anything, super easy to set up, and if i have problems with it, the forums are excellent. I also haven't rebooted the server for over 6 months will no problems!!!!





What you are doing is not easy, and might be a little costly. Do some major research, and i hope my advice has helped, or at least given you avenues to persue.