TVGJohnH
Level 1
(4 points)
Q: Changing home network configuration
I've been using an Apple Time Capsule as a router without any issues up to now. The current configuration is essentially:
Cable modem
|
Time Capsule
| \
| Wireless
|
Cat 5 Hard line to various devices
We're going to be moving soon though, and I'd like to wire up the new house to have an in-wall network. I've got the skills, tools, and parts, my only question is whether or not changing my setup will work with the configuration I have in mind. I'd like to change it to:
Unmanaged switch
(Cat 5) / | \ (Cat 5)
Cable Modem | Time Capsule
| \
Cat 5 to other rooms Wireless
Apologies for the crude drawing/map. Here's my questions: Can the TC continue to handle routing/DHCP for the network in this configuration? Will an unmanaged switch work, or should I use a managed switch? Does whatever is handling the routing/DHCP function need to go between the Cable Modem and the rest of the network, or will it work at any layer as long as it's not competing with something else trying to do the same function?
Thanks in advance for any help.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
Bob Timmons
Level 10
(104,842 points)
I am assuming that your cable modem is a simple modem......only one Ethernet port on the device.
Your new network must look like this:
Internet Connection > Cable modem > Router (likely your Time Capsule) > Switch > Other Ethernet Devices
Reason....the cable modem can only deliver one valid IP address. If you have a switch connected to the cable modem.....it will be a matter of chance as to which device will get the good IP address. All the other devices will not be able to connect to the Internet.
An unmanaged switch will be fine, and much simpler to use than a managed switch.
