A quick network question

My friend has a home network that he uses for a wireless music system. Works great. He has added one Macbook and planning to add a wireless connected iMac and ethernet connected network storage and printer. The internet is already slow on the Mac. He wants to speed up the system by replacing the current router with an "N" router and a switch to carry all ethernet connected items.

Do you have a recommendation on a router, switch. Is one brand better than another?

TIA,
-pixelot

 

Is your friend sure that the slowness is due to his network configuration and not to something in the Mac itself?

 

I don't know, but surely it can't hurt to set up an 'N' system? He just wants some recommendations on the router.

 

Well, unless he knows what the source of the slowness is, he may end up with exactly what he's got now, and nothing to show for all the time, effort, and money needed to set up a new network.

 

Well, if the problem is on the Mac, and not on whatever else he'll be adding, then he would have a better connection with the rest than the Mac on the configuration he has now, and even better with an 'N' network. And then the problem on the Mac is what would need to be resolved.

Any router suggestions, though?

 

I've had good experiences with Netgear routers, so-so with Linksys and DLink, and really stinky with Belkin, so I'd vote in that order; keep in mind, everyone else will disagree (except, perhaps viz. Belkin).

 

Thank you for the recommendations. Also, I know pretty much nothing about switches. Thoughts, anyone?

 

bump

10char

 

As far as switches go, I'm in the same boat as you - I've never had occasion to use one - but I'd think that the general rule of networking applies, namely, go with one manufacturer for all the equipment, unless you find a good reason for needing to get another mfr's piece of equipment.

 

It's impossible to answer your questions without a clearer understanding of your situation, honestly. We're not being evasive--it is just that your going to get an answer that isn't worth much.

Like Shyster, I don't think you are going to get what you want out of this with so little information supplied. Thus, your hardware requests are basically going to end up with vague--had good luck with this brand.

What hardware is going to be involved? There is a switch built into most routers..how many machines do you have that will be wired?

Without good imput, you don't get good output

That said, I would buy this wireless router, which is a dual-band wireless N router. It has an integrated 4-port lan switch supporting gigabit ethernet (you will need gigabit ethernet network adapters to benefit from this).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127243

 

Well, I have only that to go on, and pretty clueless about his needs. Thanks.