Home Wired Network

Question

Greetings,
I am trying to setup a network at home. I am using MAC OS10.5 on all computers.
The goal is to...
1. Share internet
2. Have WIRED Gigabit LAN to 8 users / room
I have a Broadband Modem (DSL)
I have only basic experience with setting up a wireless network using an AIRPORT EXTREME.
Can I administer either of the following with MAC OS?
If so, I can not figure out which setup to go with.
OPTION 1:
From the modem - NetGear FVS318G FIREWALL - additional ports by adding NetGear GS105E
OPTION 2:
From the modem - NetGear WNDR3700 ROUTER - add a switch NetGear GSM7212 or GSM7312
Thanks.

Answer 1

Can I administer either of the following with MAC OS?
If so, I can not figure out which setup to go with.
You should be getting "Dumb" gigabit switches. Just plug them in, and forget about them. You *DO NOT* need a "Managed Switch". You just need a garden varity dumb gigabit Switch.
I assume you have a use for the Netgear FVS318G VPN switch. That is to say there is somewhere you know you can create VPN connections to across the internet. If not, then this is overkill.
Now if you do need/have a use for the FVS318G, then according to my Google Search, the FVS318G already has 8 ports, plus a port to your broadband modem, so why do you need the GS105E? I guess if you wanted to run a single cable to another room, and then use the GS105E there to feed 4 other systems that would work.
The WNDR3700 is an OK approach, but it cost about as much as an Airport Extreme, which would play very nice with your Macs, so I'm wondering why you are avoiding the Airport Extreme? Yes the WNDR3700 has 4 ports, and the Airport Extreme has 3 ports, however, if you get an 8 port switch, that would give you 9 ports for Macs, which is 1 more than your specified needs (1 router port goes to the switch, and one switch port it taken up by that router connection, leaving 2 ports on the Airport Extreme and 7 ports on the switch = 9 free ports).
You could even use two 5 port switches and get the same 9 ports for Macs (2 router ports go to the 2 switches, and 1 port on each switch is used by that connection, leaving 1 free port on the Airport Extreme, and 4 ports free on each of the 5 ports switches; 144 = 9). This approach also has the flexibility that if you do not have a central wiring closet with all the rooms feeding into this closet, you could position the two 5 port switches in different parts of the house to avoid having to pull new ethernet cables all the way from the router into 8 separate locations. But all of this depends on how your house is constructed, and whether is was prewired for Cat5E or Cat6 already.
Again I would not use a "Managed" switch. For home use a pair of dumb 5 port or an 8 port gigabit switch is sufficient. I've got a dumb Netgear GS108 8 port gigabit switch attached to my Airport Extreme base station. One of the ethernet cables runs from the dinning room to an upstairs back bedroom closet, where I've got a dumb TrendNet 5 port gitabit switch servicing systems upstairs. These were not expensive switches. I got the GS108 as a Christmas present (my Wife is wonderful), and I got the TrendNet on sale for $15.
If you spend too more than $60 for an 8 port gitabit switch, or $60 for two 5 port gitabit switches, you are most likely spending too much. Then again if you are going into a retail store and buying off the shelf, you will pay a premium for instant gratification.
Management. Like I said, you only need dumb switches, so there is no management involved there. Just plug in the ethernet cables and forget about it.
You already have experience setting up an Airport Extreme, and attaching switches does not require any changes to your router.
Managing a 3rd party router is generally handled via a web browser. Many people successfully do this, so if you prefer the Netgear router, that is perfectly OK.
Your network should mostly look like this:
/--> Mac1
Broadband modem -> router -> switch -> Mac2
-> Mac3
-> Mac4
-> Mac5
-> Mac6
-> Mac7
-> Mac8