(Pending post. Aug. 31, 14)
Our new replacement gateway/ combo device is the Sagemcom 4320. I'm intrigued with the idea of "dedicated" devices, and can't leave well enough alone, I am told. It's not simply that I enjoy tweaking things, but considering the best we can hope for is DSL @ 6mbps,... I want everything in order and performing at its best. This latest challenge was inspired by the 3 part "How To Improve Network Performance" http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/lanwan-basics/32056-how-to-improve-network-performance-part-1
1) I've been told that WindStream would allow me to use a retired Speedstream 5200 modem. If it's also a combo device,
I would disable its router functions (if applies?) or "bridge" the device, so it would still handle NAT- Is that right?
2) As for the Sage4320, I'd eventually like it just handling Routing/DHCP. It does have a WAN port, but I'm curious now as to whether it's an Input or Output?? I believe I read that if you connect a modem to a combo unit, via WAN, that it ( Sagemcom combo) would then resort to Routing only? Thus leaving NAT/modem tasks to the 5200. ((it is entirely possibly that I'm mixing and mis-matching these terms and functions. Please "sort me out", as the Brits would say. :-D )
3) The next step in the article noted above, gets messy. That would be the "switch". I get the point of it, but the Sgcm4320 now sits atop our TV stand, since I opted for WIRED Ethernet for our DISH Hopper, Pans HDTV, and BluRay player. Formerly all Wireless. There isn't the "file transfer" situation there, which was the case made for having a Switch device. **But-- about 40 ft. away is our office/den. There, we have 2 printers and 2 desktops. Both printers can be wireless or wired. Wireless is the preferred, since there are 2 laptops and 2 iPads. I've run cable, and tried using our Belkin F7D2301 both as a switch- LAN to LAN from the Sgcm, and as a separate network->LAN to WAN from the Sgcm< which is how the WStrm tech left things. I had mixed success, partly due to not properly setting up the Network data correctly. 4) Provided all devices are set up as desired, and running; SpdStrm5200 as modem// to WAN(in)> Sagemcom4320 as Router (and leaving the TV/ media devices wired to it)// to the Belkin- as Switch ( no DHCP, no wireless)......
Could I then go LAN to LAN from the Belkin (switch) to my DLink Router, set up as a Wireless AP only!? Then I would turn OFF the wireless in the Sagemcom 4320, cutting its workload down to Routing (+ 3 wired devices)
Our new replacement gateway/ combo device is the Sagemcom 4320. I'm intrigued with the idea of "dedicated" devices, and can't leave well enough alone, I am told. It's not simply that I enjoy tweaking things, but considering the best we can hope for is DSL @ 6mbps,... I want everything in order and performing at its best. This latest challenge was inspired by the 3 part "How To Improve Network Performance" http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/lanwan-basics/32056-how-to-improve-network-performance-part-1
1) I've been told that WindStream would allow me to use a retired Speedstream 5200 modem. If it's also a combo device,
I would disable its router functions (if applies?) or "bridge" the device, so it would still handle NAT- Is that right?
2) As for the Sage4320, I'd eventually like it just handling Routing/DHCP. It does have a WAN port, but I'm curious now as to whether it's an Input or Output?? I believe I read that if you connect a modem to a combo unit, via WAN, that it ( Sagemcom combo) would then resort to Routing only? Thus leaving NAT/modem tasks to the 5200. ((it is entirely possibly that I'm mixing and mis-matching these terms and functions. Please "sort me out", as the Brits would say. :-D )
3) The next step in the article noted above, gets messy. That would be the "switch". I get the point of it, but the Sgcm4320 now sits atop our TV stand, since I opted for WIRED Ethernet for our DISH Hopper, Pans HDTV, and BluRay player. Formerly all Wireless. There isn't the "file transfer" situation there, which was the case made for having a Switch device. **But-- about 40 ft. away is our office/den. There, we have 2 printers and 2 desktops. Both printers can be wireless or wired. Wireless is the preferred, since there are 2 laptops and 2 iPads. I've run cable, and tried using our Belkin F7D2301 both as a switch- LAN to LAN from the Sgcm, and as a separate network->LAN to WAN from the Sgcm< which is how the WStrm tech left things. I had mixed success, partly due to not properly setting up the Network data correctly. 4) Provided all devices are set up as desired, and running; SpdStrm5200 as modem// to WAN(in)> Sagemcom4320 as Router (and leaving the TV/ media devices wired to it)// to the Belkin- as Switch ( no DHCP, no wireless)......
Could I then go LAN to LAN from the Belkin (switch) to my DLink Router, set up as a Wireless AP only!? Then I would turn OFF the wireless in the Sagemcom 4320, cutting its workload down to Routing (+ 3 wired devices)
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