Network Architeture suggestions-One switch, One ADSL Modem

[blinton25]

Hello,

We have a 24 port switch which 10 computers plug into, and then an ADSL modem which plugs into one of the available ports to give the other machines Internet access. One of the computers is a W2k3 server which the other computers log into/dhcp. Remote desktop is also used to access the W2K3 server from outside computers (port forwarded from the ADSL modem).

File and Internet traffic over the network is slow. I suspect this is not the most efficent way to run this network, and more computers will soon be added.

what is the ideal scenario (routers, firewall, switch, hubs, cabling) etc that will allow us to grow the network, as well as add new services such as VOIP?

 

[dsryan]

G'day blinton25,

I don't see any problem with the setup mentioned.

First off, is it really a switch or a hub? Is it 10/100Mbps? Is it a managed switch with some weird settings?

What about the NICs in the PCs, are they 100Mbps?

What are you using to gauge the speed? Internet speed can be difficult given how the Internet works but what about the file transfers?

By the way have you turned off the DHCP in the ADSL router?

Let me know how you go with the above stuff.

Regards, Dave.

 

[jdeisenm]

Unless to plan to drastically grow your network, dsryan is correct, your setup is fine. Get another switch and connect it to the first switch with crossover cable. If you have a set of computers that you want to keep off the internet, plug them into their own hub/switch.

 

[hercj]

Some relevant questions would be.
Is your "ADSL Modem" just a modem or is it a router/firewall also. It sounds like it is a Modem, router and a firewall. If this is true and you can configure it's settings. You can secure your internet pretty good. As for the network performance if you want to see what is going on go to

http://www.ethereal.com/

with it you can capture network traffic but you will have to install a hub into the network.

 

[blinton25]

Hello

1. Two filters were connected in sequence, which caused the slow internet speed.

2. Still looking to determine what is an ideal network scenario. I am looking to grow the network, it will involve three buildings, with VOIP used for internal and external communications.

I actually spent today in a store which had a 16 port linksys gigabit switch with Qos to assist with VOIP, seems like I would need something like this in my architecture.

So my query is, what is a good network architecture to aim for (firewall, switch, router, servers etc). Any resources on the Internet to guide me?