What networking equipment should we get? Any good recommendations?

I'd like to add a couple comments; firstly on the renting or purchasing of the modem the simple answer would be to look at how long you plan to stay in that building, how long you plan to use ComCast as a provider, and how long before you need to upgrade the service (and possibly the modem with it) and decide which option makes the most sense dollar wise. That being said if the difference is not huge I would suggest renting the device as Wynandkunkel mentioned because then ComCast is completely responsible for your service all the way until you get ethernet out to your router.

Now for the hardware on your site of the network, Cisco is always a solid choice; we have a number of 1811's in service in our system (along with some lower capacity models) serving better than 50 users at a couple sites and they have performed very well. That being said any higher end Cisco device I have met will be complex and will take an experienced hand to configure properly.

Switches I can suggest a little more easily to look at Netgear's ProSafe line as they offer great value. We have 9 in service (various models, PoE, GB, fiber connections etc.) in our network and again have been solid devices.

My appologies, I forgot to include the Netgear Smart Switches (which we primarily use) in addition to the ProSafe line.

Thanks for all of your answers. I believe that jostafew's suggestion of renting Comcast's modem makes a lot of sense. I guess that will force them to render better service.

I have a few questions regarding some of the answers posted so far.




Thanks

Irmoore's right, the Cisco Small Business stuff (used to be Linksys Business - Cisco took them over) is pretty easy to work with as it's not far off from home level equipment. Fewer features = user friendly.

I'd like to clarify a bit; what I was referring to was the full Cisco enterprise level products. They are powerfull devices with a lot more configuration to be taken advantage of. I have personal experience with their wireless access points and while it takes about 5min to set up a residential style WAP it took me about half a day to properly config the first Cisco WAP in our system (after doing a pile of homework). I can't imagine their routers to be any easier as there are serious educational programs offered to config and manage higher end Cisco equipment.

Anwering your question on whether to go cheap or go with enterprise stuff, this will depend on whether this is a mission-critical service and whether you'll be on hand to correct minor problems that will happen (re-setting devices periodically etc.)

If you would like assistance selecting particular models please provide us with a little more info on what applications will be running on your network, will there be any file / mail servers on site, are you hard-wired only network or will there be wireless segments, what is the projected growth rate etc.

All the information so far has been very useful. Thanks a lot!

I would now like to acquire the suggested Cisco equipment. We have decided to get the Cisco SRW2048 as our switch because we are planning to double the amount of computers in the future. Amazon is selling it for $520. Is that a good price?

I found this ASA 5505 on Amazon for $965. Is this all that I'm looking for? Where should I buy it from? Please tell me how to get the licenses?

Thanks again!

Hello Experts,

I found most of the things that you suggested at PCMALL.COM. They had good prices and better information than Amazon there.

Thanks for everything!