Network re-do - What's needed?

[hackersmovie]

Hey all,

Just thought I'd get some opinions on how YOU would re-do my network. I have the following components:

1- Airport Express (Used for "b" network and wireless printing)
1- Belkin Wireless "G" router (Used for "G" Network, can also print through AEBS)

Here's what I'd like to do:

I need 8 wired connections
I would like 3 wireless networks b,g and n (so the slower machines/devices don't slow the others down)

My guess is I need to buy an wireless n router and a 8 port ethernet switch. I have no problem replacing Belkin router I have now with something else. (Actually, I most likely will because my OCD won't allow mix matched equipment! )

Any ideas or suggestions? I would like to do the change/upgrade in the next week or two.

BTW - I'd prefer if it was a complete gigabit network - 10/100/1000 I've seen some 4 port gigabit ethernet routers - phew they're expensive! LOL
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[dungeon92]

I've used Netgear, D-Link, and Linksys and out of those three I prefer Linksys, but Linksys is a bit pricier than others, however you get loads of features for setting up a network (which is partially do yo it being the economy version of Cisco products). D-Link has great products at decent prices and very good configuration settings for home users. Netgear I've only used two of their products and one was good and the other one was returned since it lacked features, but that was 4 years ago. Belkin never struck me as a serious networking gear producer since they make it lots of accessories and don't focus on networking products. Apple I don't like that they require software to change settings instead of just entering an IP address and then entering the user and password mainly because I use Linux as well though.

Also, for the three networks you could try a dual band router (if you can find a reliable one) that will broadcast a 5GHz 802.11 a/n and a 2.4GHz b/g and you also gain a more stable 802.11n connection when it's in the 5GHz range (unless the router craps out from dual banding).
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[miniconvert]

How many wireless devices do you have and what is the likelihood they'll be talking at the same time as the others?

As for 10/100/1000 switches, they are cheap compared to a few years ago. Looking at newegg you can get a 3com that supports jumbo frames for $62, that's with 8 ports. If my netgear gigabit died tomorrow I'd buy that 3com.

For wireless I've had mixed results with every brand. They're like computers, they're all made from the same bag of crap parts. It is just luck of the draw. I like linksys for the range and configuration software. If you really want cool find a WRT54GL and load DD-WRT. Since you're such a mac guy, I'd probably spend the cash on an Apple based model for n. If you really want to split wireless up then find a cheap g router and use it as wireless as well as your broadband router.
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[devo]

I would have to think things through, but I'm thinking an AirPort Extreme with a 3Com or Linksys 8x 10/100/1000 switch. Like miniconvert said, you can grab the switch for about $70. Keep the AirPort Extreme N and use the AirPort Express for B and G. I don't think you need to seperate B from G.