Networking home theater system and consoles...

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Ok, so we currently have a Direct TV DVR, an Xbox 360, and a Nintendo Wii which all have a LAN port so each can access the internet. I also have my eye on a particular Blu-Ray player and a high-end A/V receiver...and both of those have LAN ports. That's 5 LAN ports just in my home entertainment center...

So how the hell am I going to get all those devices networked?

I'm guessing it can't be as easy as plugging them all into a 8-port gigabit switch and then running a single cable to my WiFi router located down the hall.... No, that would make too much sense, and would be too easy. Oh yeah, I plan on getting a NAS box here soon to store all of our music, videos, and pictures...and I'd like to be able to access that through the A/V receiver...

Here's a picture of how I imagine my ideal home network...

Spoiler

The black WiFi router is a Linksys WRT600N and the 8-port switch is a Linksys EG008W...both support gigabit ethernet.

Will something like that work?

 

Speaking of cables, you could make your own. It's easy, you just need to put the wires in the correct order... IIRC, White/orange, orange, white/green, blue, White/blue, green, White/brown, brown. I can't remember crossover from the top of my head, but it's probably somewhere in my networking notes.

 

Seriously? IIRC, my brother had to buy an adapter just to hook his Xbox up to the internet...however, this was awhile ago, and I don't speak to that idiot, so I can't confirm my poor memory.

So you're telling me, that if I go out and buy a switch, hook everything up...it will just work?
I didn't know such a concept was possible....glad to see I was wrong.

I wanted to go with Gigabit because at any given time, the devices active on the network might be 3 (online gaming via console, Direct TV on demand, and media streaming to the receiver), so I figured Gigabit was the only way to go.

I've made both actually. Back in my networking class we had to make several ethernet cables including 10Base-2, 100Base-T, and 1000Base-FX. I don't remember the pin-out off the top of my head either, but I've got a cheat sheet around here somewhere. I just don’t have the crimper...

 

Do you have a wireless router? If you do, I recommend going wireless.

I have the following regarding my LAN setup.

I have the DSL connected to my wireless router and the following use the wireless router.

Desktop PC, PS3, and the Wii. I have only one wire coming in and another going to the router; no need to add more wires.

 

The new N standard for wireless lan is getting close to wired internet. Most time uses do not use the full potential of the wire, so the n standard will be as fast as wire in a lot of homes.

 

802.11n will have to improve a *lot* to have me consider having it connected to 5 bandwidth hogs. I know that 802.11n has a higher throughput than B/G, but it's not much higher than the standard 100Mbps wired Ethernet. I think I'd prefer running a single CAT5e/CAT6 cable behind the wall, up to the attic, and then back down to my computer room...that way, there's no bandwidth issues.

 

The N standard usually has 150 or 300 Mbps of bandwidth.

 

True...but that depends on several variables. 1000BASE-T offers ~1000Mbps with the only downside being the cable has to be < 100 meters between transceivers...but I wouldn't need that long of a cable.

 

802.11n has an actual throughput of about 110 Mbit/s because it operates in half duplex. So wired is about the only choice if you need the bandwidth.

 

Are you going to be running all of the system compenents at the same time and if so how often?

I don't believe wired is required in your setup. You can go wireless; it will be a bit slower but it will reduce the clutter and fire hazards.

 

Fire hazards? Err, what? Networking cable doesen't represent any fire hazard. As for clutter, if done correctly, a wired networking setup can actually be fairly discreet.

 

Direct TV On Demand will be on 100% of the time...our schedules are all messed up, so we record 90% of what we watch. The reciever will be streaming music/movies from the NAS during parties, working out, and vegging out. The consoles/BD player will be used less often...about 2-3 times a week.

I was thinking the same thing. Our walls have conduit in place for the speaker wire, RG6 cable, and roon enough for a CAT6 cable, so running a single cable up behind the wall to the attic presents no risk. As for cable clutter, every power cord is zip-tied and organized, and I'd probably make all my own custom length CAT6 cables for connecting all the componets to the switch.