Hello,
Sorry for the late respond, been vey busy.
105 Series is not discontinued yet according from
this link. I've purchased Sonicwalls from sonicguard bec. they are reasonable. You may ask them anything before you buy.
SonicWALL Firewalls, SonicWALL Email Security, CDP, SSL-VPN | SonicGuard.com
1. Are there any fees associated with this device such as monthly payments or updates that you have to pay for and if so how much are they?
- In order for you to get the support including firmware upgrades you will need to buy the support package, better to get the 2 to 3 yr agreement with Sonicwall. Please checkout the sonicguard.com regarding different options. Overall...you will give a full support from them, from initially setting up the device, just have all the IPs ready - Public & Private IPs, port-forwarding...etc...they'll even do a remote session with you once an internet connection has been established.
2. Should I place the device in between the Comcast Router and the Switch I take it?
- You will connect the ethernet cable from your Comcast device to the Sonicwall WAN port, then from the Sonicwall's LAN Port to the Switch. Any additional routers can be plugged in to X2, X3....ports
Sonicwall Tech support will guide you through out the entire process of setting up your device, I guarantee you that.
3. What are your thoughts on replacing the Linksys router with the Sonicwall Wireless Router?
- If you will be purchasing the Sonicwall wireless device, you may still utilize the Linksys router to extend the wireless coverage in your network.
In addition:
We have a 200ft cable in a PVC pipe coming from one Bldg to the next Bldg and no issues at all. Cat5e shd be good enough with your Switch. Something else is not right....
You are absolutely correct here: "
I thought a cat 5e cable can go as far as about 300 feet."
We have a 200ft cable in a PVC pipe coming from one Bldg to the next Bldg and no issues at all. Cat5e shd be good enough with your Switch. Something else is not right....
It won't hurt to try a different switch, is the other 24-port switch managed or unmanaged?
Do you have any idea of what you think would be the problem here? I'm leaning on either the 24 port switch isn't powerful enough, Or the cable is to long and might need some kind of repeater or possibly fiber optic instead of cat 5e. What do you think?
Hope this helps.