Multifunction Network Device Question

[philzgr8]

Recently I have been thinking of rationalising my network hardware to save on power and space usage. Presently I have the following network devices which if it were possible I would like to roll into a single device.

1. Dlink ADSL2+ Wireless Modem + Router with 4 port 10/100 ethernet switch.
2. Dlink 5 port desktop gigabit switch.
3. Netcomm Multifunction (Print and Storage) server.

What I am really looking for is a single device to provide the following capabilities:
1. ADSL2+ capable modem
2. 5 or more port Gigabit ethernet switch
3. USB Print Server

I have seen all sorts of devices providing some combination of this functionality but unfortunately what I have found either lacks Gigabit ethernet or ADSL2+ or print server capabilities meaning that I have had to settle for 3 different devices each having their own power supply and taking up space and power outlets and creating unnecessary heat.

Does anyone know of a device which might handle all of my requirements or is there no such thing available at this stage?

[Sutty]

I have been dragging around Whirlpool, and the concensus is that there is no such beast at the moment. The buzz is that Billion are working on one and it is slated for release at the end of the year. I could find no references to confirm that though, and Billion tend to build without USB interfaces that can be used in a print server role.

The following thread on Whirlpool may lead you further

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...fm/755376.html

The closest to your specs that I have come across is the Draytec Vigor 2820. One of the 4 lan ports is 1000base. There is a firmware fix for turning the 3G modem port back into a print server connection.

The tricky bit about your specs is the 5 port requirement. Since there does not seem to be a need for manufacturers to make an all in one unit with more than 4 lan ports and a wan port, the 5 ports will be an issue (Gigabit is not an accepted standard on WAN connections). I suspect the most you will ever see on a single unit is 4 x 1000BaseT LAN ports, particularly on an all-in-one-suitable-for-the-home kind of unit

[philzgr8]

Originally Posted by Sutty

I have been dragging around Whirlpool, and the concensus is that there is no such beast at the moment. The buzz is that Billion are working on one and it is slated for release at the end of the year. I could find no references to confirm that though, and Billion tend to build without USB interfaces that can be used in a print server role.

The following thread on Whirlpool may lead you further

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...fm/755376.html

The closest to your specs that I have come across is the Draytec Vigor 2820. One of the 4 lan ports is 1000base. There is a firmware fix for turning the 3G modem port back into a print server connection.

The tricky bit about your specs is the 5 port requirement. Since there does not seem to be a need for manufacturers to make an all in one unit with more than 4 lan ports and a wan port, the 5 ports will be an issue (Gigabit is not an accepted standard on WAN connections). I suspect the most you will ever see on a single unit is 4 x 1000BaseT LAN ports, particularly on an all-in-one-suitable-for-the-home kind of unit

Thanks for your response Sutty.

Yes it seems your research pretty much mirrors mine right down to the same post at Whirlpool and the 4 port routers. In truth I think I could get away with 4 ports if I needed to but I'd be unlikely to go out and buy anything unless it pretty much handled all of the other requirements out of the box. I was just interested to know if anyone else had found anything similar. It really does become a bit tiresome having so many devices all with their own plug-pack power supplies and trying to find a powerboard big enough to handle them all. Of course the issue for the manufacturers is selling more devices and therefore making more money so the interest in a multi-function device that handles it all is pretty low ATM. Hopefully this will change in the not too distant future.