for any networking gurus

Dynamic · 03-20-2006, 09:34 PM

okay, here is the Conundrum i got my self into, i have to build a network from scratch. There will be 20 computers on one portion of the network, 1 server computer, 12 XBOX 360s.

Now, we are looking at getting 2 5mb down 1mb up cable lines, and interlacing them, with load balancing. We are on a limited budget.

The 20 computers and server will be running on gigabit ethernet, mainly to streamline loading images onto the computers over the network.

Possibly looking at a cisco 1841, will that give me load balancing, as well as the ability to connect to the switches properly?

1x http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=5486468
2x http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=04&l=en&s=bsd
1x http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=04&l=en&s=bsd

The 2 dell 2724s will be for the 20 computers (and for aditiional computers during lan parties and such)
The 1 dell 2216 will be for the xboxs , they do not need gigabit.
and i am hoping this router will work, if not can anyone suggest one that will? hoping not to spend too much, but i already told them we might need to go along the lines of putting the Xboxs on a completely seperate network than the computers, just wish we could have more bandwidth for the computers and not so much for the xboxs. 5/1 is the best connection for the area of the business right now ..... any help would be apreciated.

Mac · 03-20-2006, 10:12 PM

I've always liked Cisco so a cisco router is a no Brainer. The more Expensive switches give you much more managability. I have to go and check my Homework about that router though, I've mainly in the past dealt with the Big ones like 7206 and the Big monster 7500's which are pretty much Obsolete. Load balancing is a great idea. If it comes from the same provider it should be easy. If you getting the service from two different providers you will I believe need to do BGP routing to allow proper communication and transmission between the systems. Under most cases your WIC cards (Need two) one for each connection. Depending on how they are providing it. If its straight ethernet. I think you can also use something like a Cisco 2621. I'm pretty sure that has the features you need as well. The 2621 is from my time so it might have a newer brother similar to the one you posted. I need to look at specs first. Will have to get back to you. Your Network is actually Simple in a sense that your not going to have to deal with Extra Subnets and crap. on the otherhand if you grow or find you run into lag or Traffic on this network you might want to look into subnetting and Isolate xbox traffic and PC traffic.... I doubt it will be an issue, Especially if you go with a GOOD Switch. What kind of Network Budget do you have?

Dynamic · 03-20-2006, 10:32 PM

I would have to say that the network budget will run a max of around $4000. I was aware of the possibility of having to set the XBOXs on a seperate VLAN, that i was anticipating if it was interfering with the rest of the network. The dell switches that are posted i believe have L3 managment which i should have no problem with management. I would personally love catalyst swtiches, but i dont think we have the budget for them. Maybee 3coms would be ok, but the dell ones that i have there, should serve their purpose.

Network Schematic

just a quick drawup of what it might look like.

Mac · 03-20-2006, 10:32 PM

Actually I read more into your post. Give me a few days to poke around and see some of the new cisco stuff. I've heard some interesting things about I think its the 2800 or new 2900 series where you can more easily have multinetworks on a single switch. That is nothing new to cisco stuff but I think they have some newer technology for handling the traffic. Let me see what I can dig up. I also have my old buddies from the place I use to work. They were gold Cisco Cert Partners that always had access to the really neat stuff.

Also just a quicky you can isolate the PC Network from the xbox network. It might be the way to go just to get it out of the way now. Just subnet the Network.

192.168.0.0
xboxsubnet------Switch-\ / WAN1
---------------------------- Router
PCsubnet--------Switch--/ \WAN2
192.168.1.0

If you go this route it will allow you 254 devices -1 if you IP the Switch itself and another -1 for the gateway on each side. Then you can bring them together on the router and if you need them to cross pc to xbox you just route them to each other. If you can get extra ram in the switch. RAM is your friend!

{OF}Blong · 03-20-2006, 10:35 PM

You could always do the xbox's wirelessly

.

Mac · 03-20-2006, 10:52 PM

So you have one of these in your basement?

This is my LAN party Switch. It was a handmedown from work. The backplane got fried so I hopped on Ebay and got a new one for 10 bucks. They great thing about this is even though this is Old, I got some Neat stuff for it. I have two Supervisor in it. One has Gigi- Longhaul and the backup has Shorthaul so if I wanted to I could run a fiber cable (heheh) down the road or to every room. MEGA over kill for a house but, man you can transfer Files like a mad man. Plus it makes a GREAT conversational Piece when my Geeky friends come over and GO WOW man, That thing used to cost like 10+k its funny how technology loses valve, I was just on Ebay looking for more mods for this and they are CHEAP!

Dynamic · 03-20-2006, 11:23 PM

mmmmmm fiber

{OF}Blong · 03-21-2006, 12:02 AM

so mac when are you gonna hold a lan party ?