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Hardware/config advice - setting up small office WiFi/GbLAN network

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  • 08-04-2008 7:48pm
    #1
    bs217
    Closed Accounts Posts: 75 ✭✭


    Hi,

    Just posted a wanted ad over on Adverts relating to this but I would appreciate it if anyone had advice on the following.

    I'm setting up a network in a building that houses a shared office space (10+ users, 2 floors, 3000 sq.ft.) and also a public meeting area in which we want to provide open wireless internet access.

    The office users will need (in addition to internet) access to printing, a fileserver and possibly NAS drives at some point. Some of the users will be doing video editing so a Gigabit LAN would be important.

    Internet access will be through a DSL cable modem.

    I have been looking at options and I was thinking of a 24-port Gigabit switch (plenty of ports for expansion) to which I could connect the fileserver, desktop machines, small print server and wireless access point(s). A PoE capable switch would make it easier to install the access point in any location without needing a power socket.

    I'm thinking of something along the lines of these:

    http://www.netgear.co.uk/rackmountable_switch_jgs524.php
    http://www.netgear.co.uk/wireless_accesspoint_wg302.php

    since they seem to work well together (PoE, management etc.).

    I'm also thinking I should probably install a hardware firewall between the DSL modem and the switch, would this be necessary/advisable?

    What sort of security should I implement on the access point, given that standard WEP is not very secure?
    I notice that some access points have a feature whereby public and private traffic can be segregated, should I take any other precautions to secure the office users' private traffic from public users?

    I would be grateful for any advice, particularly regarding choice of hardware, management options (SNMP?) etc. from any experienced network heads.

    thanks

    edit: not sure if this should have been posted in Nets & Comms, apologies if so


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