New Setup for a Home Network

Question

Hi Everyone,
I just built a new house and am trying to get all my equipment working correctly.  Here's what I currently have:
I have a high speed docsys cable modem for comcast.
I have an SLM 2024 24-port gigabit switch
I have a WRT610N Wirless router that I want to use as a WAP
I'm missing a router and am open to suggestions
I have structured wiring throughout the house and my house consists of the following:
Downstairs - Kitchen (1-port)
Downstairs - Study (1-port)
Downstairs - Great Room (1-port for media access to blu-ray)
Upstairs - Bedroom 1 (1-port currently unused)
Upstairs - Bedroom 2 (1-port currently unused)
Upstairs - Master Bedroom (1-port for media access to blu-ray)
Upstairs - Entertainment Room (4 - ports // 2 (Computers), 1 (Wireless-N router), (1-port used for media access to xbox-360))
4-additional ports will be used for multi-media (currently not designated)
So, I have a total of 10-14 ports throughout the house that will be used.
In the basement, all of the structured wiring leads down to a can and a 24-port patch panel.  The cable modem is plugged in to a whip and will be plugged into a router (need help on which router I should use).  The router will be plugged into the SLM2024 switch.  The SLM2024 switch feeds the patch panel in the Can.  The WRT610n is upstairs on one of the ports that is fed into the SLM2024.
I also have a multi-media server that I'm probably going to place in the basement which has 4-terabytes of space for media storage and sharing.  It also acts as a simple home server.
So, my questions are how am I connecting and setting things up so that I'm efficient with my usage?  I already have one vlan (vlan 1) but haven't created any others.  Can anyone assist me with what router I should get and how I should connect my network up efficiently?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Answer 1

I've attached 5 pictures.
Board View:
This is the overall 8x4 board where I've placed the can and the SLM switch.  The little box in front is a small acer media server (4 terabytes) which I use for storing media, pictures, etc.
Switch:
This is the SLM 2024 - 24 port Gigabit Switch.  It's very quiet and works well with everything.
Can:
A basic can that I setup which has the patch panel at the top of the can, my modem and router in the bottom along with a small surge strip.  I may change out the surge strip later on, but for now - this works fine.
Modem - Router:
The bottom box is the Docsys 3 modem from motorola.  You need docsys 3 to really take advantage of the high speed download packages a cable provider gives you.  I purchased my own to cut down on the monthly lease charge and made it simpler.
The top box is the 8-port gigabit router which I use for managing DHCP routing, NAT, and the firewall.
The modem connects to the router and the router feeds down through the bottom of the can and into the switch.
Patch Panel:
The patch panel basically is divided into three color schemes that I created.  The blue cables are for voice; the green cables are for data; and the black cables are for cable.
The original patch cables that I had purchased with the can were not very good.  They were rated fine but they were too thin.  So, I used thicker coaxial cable so that no degradation occurs.  Because of the thickness, I ended up having to bow tie the cables in a medium loop.  Again, it works very well.
Summary:
I hope the pictures help.
The only thing I didn't post (due to the 5-pic limit) was a picture of my WRT-610N Wireless router.  It sits upstairs in the entertainment room and is plugged into a direct wall data jack.  The broadcast range is huge.  I currently have zero issues with any ports or wireless access in the house.
I also just finished working out the video pieces as well for the multimedia in the house.  It all ties into everything as well.  I used velcro straps for cable ties on my lines and black ties for the cabling that belongs to the static video equipment (which is not posted).  For the video equipment and sound equipment I actually have a universal remote that's tied into a command center and receiver which allows me to turn on any device in the house (TVs, Cable, Ipod, XM Satellite, Xbox 360, etc.  I can go to watch or listen mode and decide which room I want to use, which device to turn on and then the universal remote becomes the master.  I tied my computers into the command center so I can use any computer in any location and view it on the 63-inch plasma TV in the great room and utilize it with a bluetooth setup.
There's still a lot more work to be done but it's getting there.