Alright, so I have several computers networked throughout my home, including a server.

Here's the problem: one computer's page load time is exceptionally slow.

My network topology is as follows:

The modem is connected through a router, in to the "main computer", and a 4ft CAT5 cable goes to the server straigt across the floor.

A third ethernet cable (approximately 55ft in length) leaving the router goes to a switch.

In this switch, another server, and "computer 2" are hooked up. "Computer 2"'s page load speed is very, very slow.

I'm considering getting rid of the router, and putting the switch in it's place...good idea? Yes? No? Do I have some kind of huge flaw in my network design (most-likely)?

Any suggestions would be wonderful and forever appreciated.

Ok let me see if I'm reading this correctly.


ISP Modem is connected to your Wan Port on the Wireless/Wired Router?

Is this also acting as your firewall?

From the #1 Lan Port on your Router you got a CAT5 cable going to the #1 network card on your Main computer Server? (I'm assuming server means you are running Microsoft Windows Server 2000/2003 or Linux Flavor Server such as SUSE/RedHat/Gentoo/Ubantu and so on)

What is the primary role of this server and why is it connected directly to the router verses the Switch? FTP, IIS, Mail and so on?

You also have a second CAT5 cable going from the #2 Port on the Router to any open port on the 10/100 Switch? (I'm assuming this is a Network Hub/switch that lets you connect multiple computers together)

The assumed 10/100 Switch has 2 CAT5 cables going to a second Server (Primary role for this second server?) and a reg Desktop computer?

With this setup depending on the roles of the servers should be ok.

I wouldn't get rid of the router unless you have another hardware firewall in its place. A Switch and router are two totally different things. Right now its basically being your "firewall" hiding your internal network from the public. A switch wouldn't do this.

Are any of the servers running DNS, DHCP and/or WINS?

Is the Router configured to do DHCP also?

Is your ISP Modem configured for Bridge Mode allowing the Router to handle all communications with your ISP instead?

Sorry for all the questions just want a bit more details is all!

Urlryn

The server that is connected directly into the router--it's main role is just a file server. Instead of carrying around a jump drive, I just set up a server. :-P (It is running WIN Server Ed., and I don't beleive it uses much bandwidth, if any at all while I'm at home.)

Yes, connected throught the #3 port on my router (#1 is the main computer, #2 is the server) is the switch, approximately 55ft away. The switch is a 10/100 switch, and yes...a desktop/gaming computer is connected, along with a Xbox Connect server. (I just use this server to manage my Xbox through.) The server also is a file server like the other one. I keep the Xbox Connect client closed when not in use, so once again, neither of the servers are using much, if any, bandwidth.

None of the servers are running DNS, WINS, etc.

Yes, the router is configured to DHCP.

My modem is not configured for bridging, but I don't think it supports that function as I did not see a setting.

Ok this is a pretty basic setup here below.

1. Set ISP Modem to bridge mode (this allows all data to pass to thru it to your router)
2. Set your Router to connect to your ISP (usually set to obtain auto or it uses a PPoE connection)

*Since you said you didn't see any bridge mode...it maybe already set for it..so you can probably skip step 1 and 2

3. Connect only the Switch to the Router
4. Plug all Computers and the server to the switch
5. Plug Xbox to Switch if possible..but if it requires too many ports then just keep it connected to the router
6. Give the Server a Static IP
7. Forward any and all ports to individual computers and server

*this is optional (If you don't know how to do this....just ignore this next step!!)
8. Disable NAT from the Router and setup DHCP on the server

You may or may not know most of this or any....but just in case I'm typing it out! =)

Router
Routers tend to be decent if not very good basic firewall and protection for your network. A Hub or switch does not do this..its just a junction box connecting a bunch of computers together.
Keeping all your systems behind the router is better security for you.

Now that you got your router setup...login and forward any and all ports to your workstations (games) and server (FTP if you use it or whatever)

10/100 Switch
Ok reason I say use the switch to connect everything is cause one it gives you one device to manage all them together and second not all Routers support 100MB connections. So having devices on it and other on the 100 are doing you no good internally. They all drop to 10MB cause thats what the router supports. So putting them all on the Switch they all connect to each other at 100MB.

Static IP
Ok on servers you always want static IPs cause we tend to access our server alot. If you have it on DHCP there are chances it will change IP's on you. Then you would have to log into the router every time it changes and update it. So always use static!
Another reason is say your running a FTP Server (being a file server) and you need access...well if IP changes you won't be able to access it till you update the router to point to it again!


as for the slowness of the one computer..check for spyware, virus, and clean out Temp Internet files and so on. Try logging onto that computer as a different user..make up one and let it create a new profile and see if that speeds things up after you do the checks.

hope those help

Urlryn

Alright, I've figured out the problem.

The whole time my hardware was correctly configured and everything, but the only problem was with the DNS.

I used OpenDNS to get a faster DNS server, and everything is much, much faster.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and help!