router question

[b1tchm4gn3t]

through my ISP I have a dsl router and a 4 port hub, I also have 3 computers on my hub with the 4th port seemingly to be the 'dsl in'. My question is, what do I need to get to hook up more computers? A different hub with more ports? And if so...can I just take the 4 port hub out and replace it with a bigger one and will I need to do something to configure it or will it work right out of the box? Thanks to any replies!

[Vchat20]

if you are talking about the correct type of "hub", they are generally just plug and play devices meant to act like your dime a dozen cable or phone splitters. while the router may only have the one cable coming in, it will see however many computers that are connected to the other side of the hub.

so your options are pretty open here although I would recommend just upgrading to a larger hub to keep things clean.

[Prot]

I agree with Vchat20. Since you are looking to buy a new router anyway, get one with more ports and REPLACE the one you have now. You will eliminate any potential problems.

Another solution is to get a wireless router instead.

[ozymango]

Do you know if your hub is actually a hub, and not a switch? If it's really just a hub, I'd definitely recommend you go ahead and buy a switch -- in a nutshell, a "hub" is kinda like you've got one door open to the router and all the doors open to each computer, and the signals between each computer and the router try to go through every door, until they find the right door, so you have more collisions and slower network performance.

Whereas with a switch, it's like only the doors between the transmitting and receiving computers (or between the router and a particular computer) open at a certain time, and each device "knows" where to send and receive data from, so you have smooth traffic flow and nobody bumps into anybody else. Very simply put.

So if you've got a hub (it'll probably actually say "hub" or "switch" in fine print on it, somewhere), a new 4-port switch will set you back maybe $25-$30. If you are shopping for a new router (though I don't think you necessarily need one), you can get one with a built-in switch (4 or 8 port, obviously I'd go for the 8 port!) for under a hundred bucks, on sale. Wireless is nice to get, even if you don't have a wireless computer yet, so you're ready for the future.

If you're a total cheapskate (like me!) and just want the cheapest possible way to add more devices to your existing setup, you can just buy a 4 or 8 port switch and connect it to your existing hub or switch and add connections that way. In a home network you probably won't see much Internet speed loss even with a hub, but if you move files between computers you'll definitely see faster speeds on a switch.

To plug a switch into your existing hub/switch, just connect an ethernet cable from the "uplink" port on your new switch to any port (except the uplink port!) on your old switch or hub. Then plug your computers into the rest of the ports. That's it!

But yeah, if you need an excuse ... uh, reason ... to go buy new hardware, this is a good time to upgrade to a wireless router/switch!

EDIT: Oh, I missed answering your specific question -- yes, you can just get a different hub/switch with more ports and plug it into your router, if you want, "uplink" port on the new hub/switch goes to your router, then you're done. Mostly. Write back if you get this far and you end up with no blinky lights, we can figure it out from there.

[b1tchm4gn3t]

Its actually a hub (netgear 4 port). And I definatly dont need a new router. After reading these fine replys, Im sure all I need is a 8 port hub to get this doing what I need it to. I dont move files around too much and if I do...I could just use a some dvd rw's I have laying around. I will be buying that new hub in the next couple of days, if I dont post back....ever.....then something went terribly wrong!
Thank you all for the replies!

[Prot]

Trust us when we say a switch is preferable to a hub. You lose bandwidth when you use a hub. When data comes in, it is sent out ALL the ports, not to just the computer that needs it. That prevents one the other computers from sending data. When a switch is used, bandwidth is not lost, since it is only sent out the port to the computer that needs it. The other systems can still send.
If you want to hook up 4+ computers, definately get a switch. The cost is not much more than a hub.

[Vchat20]

im still kind of confused here as to what his ACTUAL setup is. can you clear this one up for us? maybe in a cruddy mspaint diagram?

[b1tchm4gn3t]

im still kind of confused here as to what his ACTUAL setup is. can you clear this one up for us? maybe in a cruddy mspaint diagram?

I am confused at what you need to know... as the first post by myself reads something like ...I have a dsl router, and I have a 4 port hub. (not being a smartass here, just dont know what you are asking for)

And as far as a switch is concerned...how is this one?

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?ts=113226461870...G58:grin:P1804
even there is states a switch is better than a hub, thanks for the heads up on that.

Is there anything to configure on that switch or is it plug and play?

[thevoelk]

It should be plug and play. THe one you listed should work well. If you get a router/switch (it should say on the box), you may have to turn off DHCP on either your DSL modem or the switch. The connection I have, since it's a residential one, has the NAT taken care of by the modem by default. Depending on your modem, turning off NAT may be as simple as a radial button or you may have to go through a complicated briding routine on the modem's home page. It may be easier to disable NAT on the router/switch, effectively making it a switch only.

[b1tchm4gn3t]

My computer uses DHCP, or so it says on the local area connection 'support' tab.

[TooLFooL]

these devices are are plug&play, but they all basically try to do the same thing, using the same default ip address (192.168.0.1). each device MUST have it's own unique physical ip address to function together. if 2 have the same address, either 1 or none will work. also, only 1 device (the router) is the 'internet gateway'. the other device must be set to point to the (router) gateway.

so basically, you MAY have to set the switch's physical ip address to (say 192.168.0.2) *it must be in the range of the router's ip addresses
and also you MAY have to set the switch's gateway setting to match the router's.

it all depends on how each device assigns and obtains ip addresses, sometimes you have to play with the settings to get it right. get the switch & come back here if it don't work!

[thevoelk]

The modem you have is the DHCP server. You could have it running on both if you spit them into subnets. Again, this is only if you buy a router or a router/switch. It should say on the box. I meant this in case of inadvertantly picking up the wrong one.

[ranchhand]

Heck, if you are going to start spending money on switches and additional cables, why not just go wireless and be done with it? One 802.11 w/less router and you can add any number of computer you want, and no messing around with cables, hubs, switches, etc. if you look for a deal, Lyinksys and D-Link always have promo specials going. And you will have to get w/less nics, but it is a more simple way to go.

[thevoelk]

Probably because a a wireless router with multiple wireless cards is going to get pretty expensive. He'll probably be able to get more than enopugh cabling for all of his computers for the price of one decent/reliable wireless card. Also, the security side of wireless.

[b1tchm4gn3t]

UPDATE I went with the 8 port switch and it took me all of like 30 seconds to make the switch and everything is working nicely.

[TooLFooL]

cool deal!

yeah wireless is great, but it does get pricey...