Internet routers w/ more than 4 ports

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert Solomon
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Robert Solomon

Hi. I have an Asante 4 port internet router that I like a lot, but I
now want more than 4 ports. Do I need to get a 7 port router, or is
there a way I can attach a hub to it, or something similarly creative,
that I can do to add ports?

Thanks
 
Robert said:
Hi. I have an Asante 4 port internet router that I like a lot, but I
now want more than 4 ports. Do I need to get a 7 port router, or is
there a way I can attach a hub to it, or something similarly creative,
that I can do to add ports?

Thanks
Click to expand...

you should be able to use just about any switch or hub, attached via
either an "uplink" port or crossover cable
 
A switch is absolutely the way to go. Much better performance than a hub
and easier to setup than adding a second router. Also cheaper than buying a
router with more ports.

This was the first thing I even looked for. I doubt that you can find much
cheaper.
http://www.pricewatch.com/1/7/1506-1.htm

btw the brand of a switch really won't matter like it will for a router, so
even a very cheap switch will usually do fine for a small net

Good Luck.
vic
 
vic said:
A switch is absolutely the way to go. Much better performance than a hub
Click to expand...

That depends. I've actually seen a good quality hub outperform a cheap
switch. But switches _should_ have an advantage if there's enough
traffic to generate collisions. If traffic is minimal, you're unlikely
to see a difference.
 
I'm still a newbie when it comes to this. Am I supposed to connect this
switch to my router? If so, how?
 
Robert said:
I'm still a newbie when it comes to this. Am I supposed to connect this
switch to my router? If so, how?
Click to expand...

The short answer: follow the instructions in the box.

The shorter answer: it depends.

An embellishment on the shorter answer: use either an "uplink" port or
crossover cable, unless one or both of your devices auto-detect the
need for and provide a crossover (it will probably be proud of that,
so list in in the features on the box).

It goes on the LAN side.
 
Most likely this will be very easy.

cable modem > router > switch > computers

From the cable modem to the router you already have set up. Instead of one
of the four computers you have now, unplug one of them and use that cable to
go from the router to the switch. Then from the switch to the other
computers. The computers that come off the switch will have to either
reboot or do an IP release. I don't know what OS's you have so rebooting is
probably the easiest. If that doesn't get it you may have to reboot the
modem and the router also, but that's usually not needed.

Good Luck!
vic
 
vic said:
Most likely this will be very easy.

cable modem > router > switch > computers

From the cable modem to the router you already have set up. Instead of one
of the four computers you have now, unplug one of them and use that cable to
go from the router to the switch.
Click to expand...

That'll probably take a crossover cable unless the switch has an uplink
port or auto crossover.

Then from the switch to the other
 
Most newer switches don't need a crossover in fact it's almost unusual for
them to need one these days.
 
vic said:
Most newer switches don't need a crossover in fact it's almost unusual for
them to need one these days.
Click to expand...

Some of the switches at the link in the OP's post appear to violate your
assumption.
 
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