CISCO High Connection Load, Best router option?

InfinityGaming · 01-07-2009, 03:46 PM

G'day

I've got 31 computers and a server rack that all need access to our business's ADSL2+ connection simultaneously.

We have high load due to the nature of our business, mainly due to our gamers playing online with such games as SecondLife that are awesome at raping our bandwidth

Naturally we have gone in the Cisco direction, and network together through a Cisco Catalyst 3550, 48 Port Switch.

However... my better judgment tells me not to just hook the switch into a standard ADSL2+ modem as I'm sure our internet access speeds will die.

Because our Switch supports 1Gbps connections between computers, my gut feeling is to buy an ADSL2+ modem that also supports that speed.

The catch 22 is do we buy a rack mount Cisco router... or save a few grand and buy another non-rack router that supports 1Gbps, and prey it wont argue with the switch about who should be assigning IP addresses.

Any ideas as to what would work out for us as the best option, possibly through a brand and model number our way too.

( Please note that I'm not Cisco trained, I stumble my way through it as required. In fact the only reason I use Cisco, is because its bloody reliable

)

I'd appreciate any help I can get.

Thanks Guys.

**bilbus** · 01-08-2009, 03:02 AM

if you are using ADSL2+ it cant be that high .... how much speed we talking 10/10mb?

What are you using now?

Pluging in the switch directly into the modem will cause you no harm .. as long as the modem is a nat router also (my guess yes) I would not buy any extra firewall for your network (as long as your curent modem is a nat box).

Having a 1GB lan port on a ADSL2+ modem would be completely useless. It would be like asking your local power co. to provide you with 480v service to power a 9v clock radio.

Pluging in a 100mb switch into a sub 100mb internet connection will do nothing to your speeds.

I would not choose cisco because "it's cisco" Granted, i like cisco products!

a Cisco ASA 5505 (you will need to buy a 3rd part rackmount kit if you plan to mount it .. as its not by default)

Only thing that installing an ASA into your network would be to provide you with security ... but you would need to know how to set it up.

The 5505 will do everything you need .. and is around 500$. hell a PIX 506E would do it also .. and its nearly 8 years old. ASAs are much nicer though.

You do not need a router by the way.

01-07-2009, 03:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
InfinityGaming Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1 OS: XP Pro x32 - SP3	CISCO High Connection Load, Best router option? G'day I've got 31 computers and a server rack that all need access to our business's ADSL2+ connection simultaneously. We have high load due to the nature of our business, mainly due to our gamers playing online with such games as SecondLife that are awesome at raping our bandwidth Naturally we have gone in the Cisco direction, and network together through a Cisco Catalyst 3550, 48 Port Switch. However... my better judgment tells me not to just hook the switch into a standard ADSL2+ modem as I'm sure our internet access speeds will die. Because our Switch supports 1Gbps connections between computers, my gut feeling is to buy an ADSL2+ modem that also supports that speed. The catch 22 is do we buy a rack mount Cisco router... or save a few grand and buy another non-rack router that supports 1Gbps, and prey it wont argue with the switch about who should be assigning IP addresses. Any ideas as to what would work out for us as the best option, possibly through a brand and model number our way too. ( Please note that I'm not Cisco trained, I stumble my way through it as required. In fact the only reason I use Cisco, is because its bloody reliable ) I'd appreciate any help I can get. Thanks Guys.

01-08-2009, 03:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
bilbus TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 832 OS: OS2 Warp	Re: CISCO High Connection Load, Best router option? if you are using ADSL2+ it cant be that high .... how much speed we talking 10/10mb? What are you using now? Pluging in the switch directly into the modem will cause you no harm .. as long as the modem is a nat router also (my guess yes) I would not buy any extra firewall for your network (as long as your curent modem is a nat box). Having a 1GB lan port on a ADSL2+ modem would be completely useless. It would be like asking your local power co. to provide you with 480v service to power a 9v clock radio. Pluging in a 100mb switch into a sub 100mb internet connection will do nothing to your speeds. I would not choose cisco because "it's cisco" Granted, i like cisco products! a Cisco ASA 5505 (you will need to buy a 3rd part rackmount kit if you plan to mount it .. as its not by default) Only thing that installing an ASA into your network would be to provide you with security ... but you would need to know how to set it up. The 5505 will do everything you need .. and is around 500$. hell a PIX 506E would do it also .. and its nearly 8 years old. ASAs are much nicer though. You do not need a router by the way. Last edited by bilbus; 01-08-2009 at 03:06 AM.