Network Switches help---wires already laid in existing building. Anything I can do to make setup better?

[rachelb5499]

Hi There,
This is my first time posting. We have a property that was setup with Ethernet cables in approximately 1998-1999. Since then, all the wires have been enclosed by sheetrock, etc. and I actually have no idea specifically where each wire is in what part of the wall, etc. That being said, I was told on another forum that our network setup was "bad" and that I should update/fix it, but wasn't given a lot of advice on suggested hardware models and what really should be "fixed" other than maybe try to run more cables everywhere (which really isn't too much of an option).

ALL wireless routers, switches, etc. (except for "main switch"), I estimate are probably at least 8-10 years old. I'd like to show a diagram I made up quickly that shows you how the network is setup, but since this is my first time posting here, I'm not sure how to attach/upload my file? If someone could tell me that quickly, then I can post a picture = to a thousand words!

What I'm hoping for is constructive, easy to follow suggestions about how to make the network stronger/safer, easier to "manage" (for a person with limited tech skills). I'd LOVE to know what wireless routers (brand, model, etc.) and what network switches (brand, model, etc.) you think I should buy to start replacing some of these "dinosaurs.) And/or if you think that's even necessary. The "MAIN" switch has 7 ethernet cords plugged into it and is a netgear fs116.

I'd ALSO like to get at least one or two external hard drives onto the "network" so they can be accessed from any one of the 3 buildings. I currently have a Toshiba 2TB usb connected external hard drive, but no "hardware" that I can plug it into so right now it's just a backup for one of the pc's on the property.

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[ComputerSecurityGuy]

There isn't much hope for upgrading cabling. Upgrade wireless access points to 802.11ac dual band and eventually the switches. However it looks like what was strung is what you've got. You might have gigabit but chances are its all 100mbit. 100mbit is probably fine for office PCs.

 

[USAFRet]

Unless you've specifically stated what the issues might be, "I was told on another forum that our network setup was "bad" is simply bad advice.

Now...network wiring that is 10-15 years old may well be bad. But without eyes on and some actual performance testing, it is impossible for anyone out here to say.
It might be OK, it might be 'bad'. It might still be good wiring, just slow parts from 1999. I'm leaning to bad, but who knows.

And without a good site survey, and knowing exactly what you already have, and what it is going to be used for....suggestions of particular hardware is out of bounds.

Assuming this is a business, I'd seriously consider hiring a local, trusted network guy to look around and see what you might need.
It's easy to go buy a bunch of stuff. It is even easier to get the whole rebuild very, very wrong.

 

[jsmithepa]

Woo-wee! You need PROFESSIONAL assistance.

Minimal qualification really, able to post link/pictures here. Save your drawings, picture, hopefully in standard jpg pdf format to a hosting site, like Google, then post your message with a LINK to those jpg pdf. There is a button on top for link.

1998/99 should be 100 mbit ethernet CAT5/e. How they ran the cables, well we are awaiting your drawings/pictures.

 

[rachelb5499]

Unless you've specifically stated what the issues might be, "I was told on another forum that our network setup was "bad" is simply bad advice.

Now...network wiring that is 10-15 years old may well be bad. But without eyes on and some actual performance testing, it is impossible for anyone out here to say.
It might be OK, it might be 'bad'. It might still be good wiring, just slow parts from 1999. I'm leaning to bad, but who knows.

And without a good site survey, and knowing exactly what you already have, and what it is going to be used for....suggestions of particular hardware is out of bounds.

Assuming this is a business, I'd seriously consider hiring a local, trusted network guy to look around and see what you might need.
It's easy to go buy a bunch of stuff. It is even easier to get the whole rebuild very, very wrong.

Thank you, Jsmith. I was hoping I wouldn't have to "host an image" and was just missing something. Every forum is different, but I think I've got it up now.

Thank you all of you who have responded! I think I was told it was a "bad network" because they said it wasn't cohesive and stated that pretty much "no matter what it took," I shouldn't have so many switches/wireless routers and should have everything hardwired to one switch. To respond to everyone: each wireless router and switch is 10/100 mbps. (I've wondered if getting gigabit switch(es) and wireless routers would speed things up or not based on what do/use. No video streaming, no major/big files shared transferred that I can think of, etc.) As far as internet is concerned, I did a speed test direct at satellite modem and everywhere in between, all the way to the furthest point, and I get the speeds "guaranteed/suggested" by Exede Internet: 12-15 mbps upload and 3-5mbps download.

I don't know how to test anything else as far as communcation/data transferring between other devices on the network. Example: we have 2 computer registers and 2 more office computers that access that register software/data. 1 computer is the "main." If it doesn't work, the whole register program doesn't work on any other pc, and we can't get to any of the back office data. So I guess this is probably termed something like "master" and slave pc's?"

We ARE a business, but a micro business, we maybe have 5 employees maximum at any time of the year, and so not a big budget for networking.That being said, I WOULD hire a network guy if I could, but since we are out "in the middle of nowhere," no one will drive this far to help. Though we are small, I do NOT want something to fail/crash or be much slower than it should be because I didn't take care of something I could have ahead of time.

I DID forget to show in the photo that the business phone is VOIP SO for that to work, Exede has stated that we have to go from modem directly to VOIP box, and THEN to router so that's missing in the picture.

I THINK all wiring is CAT 5 because I tried to look up online what CAT 3 looked like and from what I can tell, we have CAT 5. I wondered about trying to "replace" CAT 5 with CAT 6 by attaching CAT 6 to an end of CAT 5 (at each switch, etc.) and then just pulling like heck on the other end where I know a cable "ends", but from what I've understood CAT 5 might not be worth all that hassle and risk of cables coming undone, not fully pulling through, etc. Any thoughts on this?

Hopefully, this extra info. will help and you guys can give me more specifics/advice.

 

[USAFRet]

I know you're small, I know you're out in the middle of nowhere....
But....

You can pay to have it done once,
Once = you do it or pay a professional to do it(1)

or you can pay to have it done 3 times
3 times = you do it(1), then, after it fails, pay a professional to undo it(2) and then redo it properly(3).

There are some things that are a good learning experience. Winging it with a whole business network rebuild is not one of them.

 

[rachelb5499]

If there was a network guy that would come here, I'd consider it, but since that's not an option here. I'll have to muddle through it myself. No other advice/suggestions about how to go about doing it and what hardware I should or shouldn't buy?

 

[USAFRet]

How to post a picture/drawing of your existing setup:
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2580030/detailed-instructions-posting-images-tom-hardware.html

 

[rachelb5499]

Thanks, I had put the url or my image in my first post when someone else told me I was going to have to do image hosting so that anyone "new" looking at my original post so hopefully, you guys can see it up there where it says "http//" at the bottom of my first post.

 

[USAFRet]

From your image:

This is why a good site survey is needed. You're processing credit cards, and have a significant wireless component.
This is how BestBuy got hacked a few years ago.
Distance between building 1 & 2 & 3?

You need more than just a recommendation for that switch in the center.
There are any number of switches that might work. TrendNet, D-Link, Netgear...

 

[jimmysmitty]

I agree that you should look a bit harder for a network professional. You don't want any holes in your network.

Either way for parts you are going to want to use some industry grade components, no consumer grade components. At my work we use Extreme Network switches with Dell Sonicwalls for our firewalls (I noticed you don't even have a Firewall in the diagram) and currently Aruba Wireless APs. We setup ports on the firewall for the wired network and for the WiFi and Guest WiFi.

Depending on the distance from each building you can use Nanbeams to push traffic across them wirelessly (unless they are very close no AP will be able to send data much further than 100 feet).

But the main priority is security since you are going to be processing credit and debit cards which is why it is suggested to have a professional do it who should help to make it as secure as possible.

 

[rachelb5499]

I agree that you should look a bit harder for a network professional. You don't want any holes in your network.

Either way for parts you are going to want to use some industry grade components, no consumer grade components. At my work we use Extreme Network switches with Dell Sonicwalls for our firewalls (I noticed you don't even have a Firewall in the diagram) and currently Aruba Wireless APs. We setup ports on the firewall for the wired network and for the WiFi and Guest WiFi.

Depending on the distance from each building you can use Nanbeams to push traffic across them wirelessly (unless they are very close no AP will be able to send data much further than 100 feet).

But the main priority is security since you are going to be processing credit and debit cards which is why it is suggested to have a professional do it who should help to make it as secure as possible.

Thank you guys. The nearest network person would be about 3 hours of travel time away. (I'm not kidding. We've looked at this/for this probably at least once a year for the past 5 years.)

Building 1 is approximately 800' across a field (with some trees) to Building 2. (There IS a potential line of sight, and I have learned some about NanoBeams and making a "wireless bridge" instead of continuing to use the old wired connection down the road, but would like to focus on fixing things with Building 1 the most first if I'm the one having to do this in stages.) Building 1 has "public access."

Building 2 actually shares an adjoining wall with Building 3 so no real "distance" between them, but too large of an area to just broadcast one wireless AP for everyone to get good wireless internet access and one "switch OR router" wouldn't work for both sides for plugging into since they are separated by a complete wall. Buildings 2 and 3 are private/NO public access.

As far as needing more than a switch suggestion in the center, I would LOVE much more help. I was just trying to pick a starting point and then get subsequent advice about the rest as well. (Basically, hoping for a suggested plan broken down into steps I can start working on.)

@jimmysmitty, you are right. I do not have a firewall. The original installer years ago, never did anything like that, and I've just replaced things/slapped band aids on to keep things up and running when I've done a little research here or there to the best of my limited knowledge/ability. I know this is "not good" and know that there's things (like credit card/wireless security issues) that I don't even know are an issue that should be fixed/resolved. That's why I'm here. ANY and ALL advice you guys can give me on improving this is SO APPRECIATED! If you don't want to fully explain something, but know of an article, tutorial, etc. please feel free to send me to them too. I do NOT want to waste anyone's time, but really value the expertise!

@USAFret, I DO definitely have questions about the credit cards....I have several companies trying to get me to go to Ipad based point of sales systems (obviously an IPAD is running off of wireless entirely vs. being plugged in via ethernet like our machines currently are) and those systems are set to run credit cards right though them so how is THAT acceptable? [I'm literally asking, not trying to just "challenge" you at all.] Examples: Square POS, Bindo POS, Paypal, ShopKeep POS, etc.

Also, I've wondered about "security" and the wireless. The wireless router IS password protected, but I know that's just for low tech people like myself...not real "security" against a hacker...so how DO I make the INTERNET available to all the business devices that need it wirelessly, but NOT access the credit card terminals wirelessly? (in reality, I really don't care if the internet devices even access the network at all wirelessly if that matters in setup with your guys' suggestions.)

I'm assuming a "site survey" is still in regards to having a professional come here and survey the whole thing, correct? (I don't mean to be dumb, just making sure I'm not missing something.)