Cable Modem to Wireless Router to Switch

[Rich Conrad]

I’m trying to watch what I spend, not a lot of extra money since we just closed on our first house… We will be getting Comcast 50Mbps internet, no cable TV. So we will be using Amazon Prime and Netflix on my xbox or if we get a smart TV and streaming sports from ESPN, Fox Sports Detroit and BTN. I will also be using HDHomeRun to record TV shows from local stations, which connects via ethernet cable.

Setup:
I want the modem and router to be centralized in the living room upstairs next to the TV. I choose that location so the wireless internet will be spread evenly. Then make an Ethernet cable and run it from the router, down into the basement, to my office where the switch will be located. From there I will run a line up to the bedroom which is directly above the office, a line to the basement TV area and have 3 ports for use in my office area. HDHomeRun would be plugged into the switch, a NAS down the road and my old office desktop or other computers that i'm fixing. I could setup the modem and wireless router in my office downstairs, but not sure how well the signal will work upstairs or on the back deck to stream music. Its only about at 1300 sq ft home... I won't have enough ethernet ports in just the router, so i feel i still need the switch...

Cable Modem, which should I buy?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XC6GJ0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
or
http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Motorola-SurfBoard-SB6141-DOCSIS/dp/B00AJHDZSI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Wireless Router (already bought, but unopened): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3YN0Z0/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i06?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Switch: http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-SG1005D-1000Mbps-Gigabit-Capacity/dp/B000N99BBC/ref=pd_sim_pc_2

OR, should I return the router that I bought, and just buy the switch and this modem/router combo? Because both this router and switch will have GIG ports and this router is dual band…
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SURFboard-Gateway-SBG6580-Wireless/dp/B0040IUI46/ref=pd_cp_pc_3

I feel like the modem/router combo with the switch would be the best and most simple setup. But i am open to suggestions and even different products. I might even order the 8 port switch. Just trying to plan everything as we are still painting and no furniture in the house or services ordered yet.

Thank you so much!
-Rich

 

[USAFRet]

Modem - Get something from the Comcast approved list. If it isn't on that list, they may not help with troubleshooting in the future.

Router - I prefer 2 separate devices, rather than a modem/router combo. The MediaLink you've chosen will work just fine.
I recommend 2 devices, because you can change the router 3 years from now if need be, rather than having them in one box and having to change the whole thing.
Or if Comcast changes something on their end, you can swap out just the modem.

Switch - Just about any 10/100/1000 will work. I'd probably start with an 8 port.

 

[electrontau]

You will still need the router since switch does not have DHCP.