Question Need new router and maybe a modem..suggestions?

[Ralston18]

All other things aside: I would buy two switches.

Why: redundancy.

Just in case there is the proverbial "puff of smoke" and the switch is dead.

You still have (hopefully) the other switch to at least keep some network devices online.

Or be able to swap switches for troubleshooting purposes.

Redundancy, etc. or may not be a viable consideration - and you still could have and use a direct connection or two via modem or router.

Always good, I think, to have some built-in options.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[ron648]

All other things aside: I would buy two switches.

Why: redundancy.

Just in case there is the proverbial "puff of smoke" and the switch is dead.

You still have (hopefully) the other switch to at least keep some network devices online.

Or be able to swap switches for troubleshooting purposes.

Redundancy, etc. or may not be a viable consideration - and you still could have and use a direct connection or two via modem or router.

Always good, I think, to have some built-in options.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

#%@$& Ralston 18! Garsh darnnit! I am an industrial electrician working with PLC's every now and then so redundancy is something I can definitely comprehend. Thought I was done with this post! Sigh....

Ok. Back to the bandwidth issue. The router I want says it has 4 gigabit LAN ports. So that means each port can handle 1 gig of bandwidth right? So having two switches, EACH plugged into a LAN port on router, is capable of handling 1 gig of bandwidth from the internet, correct? Bandwidth between switches would be limited to 1 gig because of the cable connection(whether the cable goes from switch to switch OR thru router) but anything connected to the SAME switch can pass greater bandwidth. Am I getting it yet, lol?

On another note, I googled actual real time bandwidth of streaming movies and gaming. Gaming came in at 3Mbps and streaming movies was around 1.9-4.5Mbps depending on resolution. So if I am finally understanding all this stuff, in the end, for me, it just doesn't matter. Since I like the idea of redundancy, I will buy two 8 port switches.

Please tell me this all makes sense!

 

[kanewolf]

#%@$& Ralston 18! Garsh darnnit! I am an industrial electrician working with PLC's every now and then so redundancy is something I can definitely comprehend. Thought I was done with this post! Sigh....

Ok. Back to the bandwidth issue. The router I want says it has 4 gigabit LAN ports. So that means each port can handle 1 gig of bandwidth right? So having two switches, EACH plugged into a LAN port on router, is capable of handling 1 gig of bandwidth from the internet, correct? Bandwidth between switches would be limited to 1 gig because of the cable connection(whether the cable goes from switch to switch OR thru router) but anything connected to the SAME switch can pass greater bandwidth. Am I getting it yet, lol?

On another note, I googled actual real time bandwidth of streaming movies and gaming. Gaming came in at 3Mbps and streaming movies was around 1.9-4.5Mbps depending on resolution. So if I am finally understanding all this stuff, in the end, for me, it just doesn't matter. Since I like the idea of redundancy, I will buy two 8 port switches.

Please tell me this all makes sense!

It is very uncommon to saturate a 1GE port in a home situation. 4K streaming is typically under 40Mbit. IF you have a home NAS then you can saturate gigabit ports with backups. I do so every night.
There is something to be said for redundancy. But what is the probability of a failure? VERY minimal. At some point, your entire network comes down to a single point of failure. It could be your router, a switch, or your ISP. I generally recommend a single switch because it simplifies things. All your wired devices go to one place, you have a single cable to the router. A single power plug required.

 

[Ralston18]

Fair points. Simplicity is good.

One switch vs two switches, etc., - always trade-offs to be made.

In any case, Mr. Murphy and his Gremlin friends will show up sooner or later.

With some very creative mischief....

 

[ron648]

Ok. Everyone's help has been truly appreciated! Router, single 16 port switch and the modem. THE END.