Hi all,
I recently installed an SMC CGS8 8 port gigabit switch on my home network and while the intranet works great as far as transferring large (1gb+) files my internet speed seems to have slowed to almost a crawl.
Here's the current SETUP:
Cable modem to Linksys 4 port router w/switch out to SMC switch out to 5 PC's all running latest WinXP Pro on a workgroup.  I need the router for a web/ftp server I use for pre publication work.
If I go straight from the modem or the router I get good internet speed, once I throw the switch in it drops off.
It seems that when I first open the browser (IE, Chrome or Firefox) it takes up to 45 seconds for a page to appear.  Often times it seems to TIME out 'cause if I hit 'refresh' the page suddenly shows up.  This happens on a new instance of the browser or when following a link.  Email doesn't seem to be effected.
I've already tried other configurations but this is the only way to have the router and the switch.  I've also restarted all the components, replaced cables, etc.
I thought of another option while writing this but I'm not sure if it will work.  My motherboard has two gigabit lan ports on it.  Could I have one cable going through the switch for file transfers on the intranet and another going to the modem for the internet?  If so how would that be configured?  Like I said, I'm not sure how this works with two cards as I've never used it before.
Thanks for any ideas,
ScurvyAS far as I know..you cannot get gigabyte speeds from WAN, unless your ISP supports it.  The only country (and correct me if I'm wrong) that supports gigabyte WAN is Japan.

If you have a home network and are setting up a gigabyte LAN, then all of your hardware should support gigabyte technology...

All COMPUTERS should have gigabyte NICs, the router should support it, as well as the router.  While your local speeds will be awesome, your internet speeds will not be as noticeable.

Anyone...feel FREE to correct me if I'm mistaken.

I'm assuming your internet speeds are dropping due to the router not supporting the technology.

Mind if I ask...what model Linksys router you have?Sorry for the delay in replying, been out of town.
Anyway, I know I won't get gig speed from the WAN but what's happening is the Internet speed is slower if I go through the switch than if I just go through the router or straight to the modem.
All the cards are gigabit except one which will change in a few days and they all will be.

So what you're saying, I think, is that if anything is NOT gigabit then I will actually get slower speeds?
So if I introduce say a 4 port router with a gigabit switch in it I should get full speed all around?
The router is a besfr41 (Wired).  It's old but still kickin'.  I was thinking it might be the router but again, if I take out the switch everything works fine.