[mhb22079]

Hi:

I would like to know how best to set up my network. Currently I I have:
3 PCs (1 in each of the kids rooms)
2 IMACs (1 in basement 1 in upstairs room),
my work PC (basement)
laptop (basement)

I currently have 1 IMac in the ethernet port of the wireless router which is cabled to a Linksys router (old vonage) along with the other IMac, my work PC, and other laptop. The Kids PCs are connected via wireless. The linksys attaches to my cable modem.

The house we are in is prewired for RJ45 so I don't think I'm taking the best advantage. I'm a little confused as it relates to routers and switches. My Imac, work PC, and laptop are pretty far from the junction box. Could I use a switch to bring these together, then another at the junction box to connect the 3 PCs, other IMAC, and wireless basestation? Would it be secure to do so or is there another configuration that is better?

Thanks and sorry for the confusing post.

[turtle777]

Well, first off, you can go mixed, having some of the computers use ethernet (wired), and the others wireless.

As far as the setup goes, it would look like this:

--E-- ethernet connection

Cable Modem --E-- Linksys Router --E-- Wireless Router & Junction Box

Then, as a second step, you could run

RJ45 Outlet --E-- Switch --E-- iMac, work PC, and laptop

-t

[mduell]

Aside from possibly inadvertent (due to double NATing), there's no security in your network.

Wired should result in better performance than wireless.

[turtle777]

As far as security goes, just make sure to enable WPA for the wireless.

-t