Setting up home network

[jokers_greg]

edit: also, the laptops are not shown in the diagram, but they'd have to be able to be connected wirelessly anywhere in the house

and why did this post come above my first one...

[jokers_greg]

I'm using a Dlink DIR-625 router for my current setup:
2 PCs connected directly to router
1 PC connected via wifi (always)
PS3 connected via wifi (always)
1-2 laptops connected via wifi (sometimes)

Anyway, the router is located on the top floor, while the PC/PS3 that are connected via wifi are 2 floors down (in the basement). The signal isn't bad, but I get rare disconnects with the PS3. Anyway, I thought I'd re-work my setup in such a way so that I could stream video directly to my PS3.

From what I've heard, wireless video streaming to the PS3 is quite choppy, so here's what I was thinking:

Move the modem to the basement. Connect it to a router (let's call it router 'X') also in the basement. Router X will be connected to the PC/PS3 downstairs. It must also connect to the DIR625 upstairs, which is still connected to those 2 PCs.

It would be nice if I could connect router X and my 625 wirelessly (since wiring 20ft through 2 floors would be a little difficult).

First of all, will video stream smoothly with that setup (on any PC in the network, not just the PS3, and regardless of which router the server is connected to)?

Although I plan to have a real server in the future, I would like router X to support an external hard-drive via USB or Firewire or eSata. Also I'd like router X and my 625, to broadcast the same SSID throughout my home simultaneously.

Will I be able to stream video from an external hard-drive like that? What router do you recommend?

I'll attach a picture of the topology I'd like to have:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i207/jokers_greg/NetworkTopology.jpg

[jokers_greg]

well I read a little bit about networking 2 routers together, looks like the only way is with DD-WRT, which my DIR625 is not compatible with :( . Am I in the market for 2 routers now? What about the streaming questions?

[Bigdogbmx]

I might be missing something here cos im tired, but why dont you just replace the second router with an access point and plug in a wired switch?

[jokers_greg]

I might be missing something here cos im tired, but why dont you just replace the second router with an access point and plug in a wired switch?

That sounds like a good idea. I can connect those two computers upstairs via a wireless access point, but would I have to buy another switch to connect to PC1 and PC2? or does the access point already have 2 (or more) wired connections? Looks like my current router finally has the firmware to support an external HDD, I'm still wondering if video streaming from it would work. Also, what if It's streaming a video to the PS3, and one of the other PCs tries to access the drive to throw some files on there (let's say pictures for example), will streaming become choppy?

If the case is that I need a wireless accesspoint and then a wired switch, would that be more expensive than just buying a new router that will act as both? Do both routers need to be DD-WRT compatible for this to work? Or just "router X"

[Jolly-Swagman]

The DIR-300 has wifi and 4 port Lan and can be used as access point too

[jokers_greg]

The DIR-300 has wifi and 4 port Lan and can be used as access point too

Is that using DD-WRT? do both routers have to be compatible? because the DIR625 isn't (last I checked).

[Jolly-Swagman]

Yes aparently as shown here http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#D-Link

[jokers_greg]

Yes aparently as shown here http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#D-Link

lovely, any DD-WRT router will do though correct? not necessarily the Dlink you mentioned right?

[Omsion]

Set up the DIR-625 to use a static IP (in Internet Connection Setup) on the same network as Router X (preferably outside its DHCP range). Voila! Access point.

[jokers_greg]

Set up the DIR-625 to use a static IP (in Internet Connection Setup) on the same network as Router X (preferably outside its DHCP range). Voila! Access point.

Thanks very much, I'll set that up as soon as i purchase "router X" lol.
Do you guys think I should be able to stream OK with the external HDD though?

[Omsion]

Thanks very much, I'll set that up as soon as i purchase "router X" lol.
Do you guys think I should be able to stream OK with the external HDD though?Hmmm...on second thought, that probably won't work. That does require a wired connection between the routers.
*quietly leaves :burn:

How about switching the Router X (DD-WRT compatiable) and the DIR-625 so you can use the ddwrt router as the bridge?

[jokers_greg]

Hmmm...on second thought, that probably won't work. That does require a wired connection between the routers.
*quietly leaves :burn:

How about switching the Router X (DD-WRT compatiable) and the DIR-625 so you can use the ddwrt router as the bridge?

well, I'd have to know what that meant first, but so long as I don't have to buy anything else, yes that would work? lol