network expansion?

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I know you can daisy-chain hubs all day, but will it work with routers?

I have a Linksys 4-port router that I replaced with a wireless + 4-port router.
Everything that was on the wired network is still connected the same, just through the new router.
But, 4 ports aren't enough, so I have a hub in the basement for the 360, HTPC, and PS3.

Hubs suck... Especially when I'm playing console game online and streaming music to the HTPC.

Can I put the old router where the hub was?
If so, will it be 'plug & play' or a horribly complicated PITA? (bearing in mind I know next to nothing about networking)

TIA!

[redwudz]

Yes. It should be plug and play. Most routers will operate as a switch. Just plug the output from one router into one of the output jacks on the new router. Don't use the WAN input, use one of the LAN jacks instead and it should function as a switch and be transparent to the system. I have a couple of old routers set up that way and they work very well. Much better than hubs that can't handle data collisions.

If you need more LAN connections, consider using a switch instead. If your LAN is 10/100, they are fairly inexpensive. I have a Gigabit LAN so my switches are a bit more pricey, but still about $30 - $50. They are self configuring most times, so no setup required.

[Po|arbeaR]

Good Advice from redwudz.

Just one thing that I can think of is shutting off the dhcp server on the linksys router you can't have two routers handing out IP address that would conflict the system. You'll also have to put the linksys on an IP thats OUTSIDE the dchp range of the new wireless router. If you need help setting it up feel free to PM me.

-PB

[redwudz]

I never bothered with any router settings. That part of the router isn't used. It doesn't show up in my network, but does connect two computers to a single CAT6 cable. This may not work with all routers, but does with two of my cheaper D-Link routers. It may be that they are a router/switch combination.

You shouldn't have to make any adjustments with the router if you don't use the WAN socket on it. It won't have an address, the same as a switch. But if that doesn't work, then you can use the WAN socket, but you will have to give the router a address that doesn't conflict with your other router addresses and turn off DHCP as mentioned. But I would try the non-WAN method first as it's a lot simpler.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

thanks! I'm off Thursday - Monday so I'll give it a whirl one of those days.
I hope redwudz plan works, because everything Po|arbeaR said was like a different language to me!

[Nelson37]

The router should serve as a switch as suggested. or could be used to create a second, seperate network but that would be more complicated.

However, the current "hub" should also be a switch and unless it is very old, there shouldn't really be a difference. Is it a 10/100 unit, at least?

There may be good reason to check the cable connections and the cable itself for other issues.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

the hub is quite old, but I do believe it is a 10/100 unit.

[redwudz]

A simple explanation of hubs VS switches: http://www.homenethelp.com/web/explain/about-hubs-and-switches.asp You can get more detailed info by doing a ' hub vs switches ' internet search.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

...It should be plug and play. Most routers will operate as a switch. Just plug the output from one router into one of the output jacks on the new router. Don't use the WAN input, use one of the LAN jacks instead and it should function as a switch and be transparent to the system...

Swapped it out like this and....
Nothing!
No connection available.

So I pressed the cute little RESET button on the back of the router and...
Still nothing!

So I power cycle the router and VOILA!!!
Streaming music to my 360 (NOW! WITH! NO! STUTTER!), downloading demos, videos, etc on PS3 & 360 much faster now, and shooting other people in the face over the interwebs with no l-a-g!!
YAY!!

You're my hero dude.

[redwudz]

Glad it worked out. I use a couple of old routers for switches. I use a Gigabit LAN now and they are used on some slower segments of my LAN. A router used as a switch should be a bit 'smarter' than a hub and avoid data collisions that can slow transfers. AFAIK, a hub also 'broadcasts' the same signal to all parts of the LAN where a router/switch should just send the signal to the device it is directed to. That should also help speed up transfers.

[edDV]

AFAIK, a hub also 'broadcasts' the same signal to all parts of the LAN where a router/switch should just send the signal to the device it is directed to. That should also help speed up transfers.

Also a hub drags all the devices connected to the slowest rate being used where a switch allows each point to point path to go full speed.