Network router/switch question
I have a home network with an asante router with 4 ports and now i need one with at least 6 ports. I would like to keep the current router and wanted to know how I could do that. Do I buy another router and connect it to this router? Or a switch? Or a hub? I know little about networking so I was hoping someone could help me out on this. Thanks.
Comments
My recommendation: Sell your current router and go with an 8-10 port. That way you'll always have a few extra ports, and you'll avoid issues like this.
If you connect two routers together you can fit more than 253 computers on a LAN, but most routers have a WAN port that is only 10Mbps, not 100Mbps. If you want to transfer file you will have to open ports in your firewall and other configs and it will be 10x slower.
Originally posted by Ebby
Hold on a second. You already have a router. You only need one to share internet to a home network. Just get another switch and connect it to your router, then connect your other computers to the new switch. Try to use a switch, no a hub. Switches are faster under a heavy load.
If you connect two routers together you can fit more than 253 computers on a LAN, but most routers have a WAN port that is only 10Mbps, not 100Mbps. If you want to transfer file you will have to open ports in your firewall and other configs and it will be 10x slower.
So your saying I should get a switch and connect that to the router and only use two ports on my router to connect it to the switch and the router to the net. Therefore my connection between computers will be faster and I will still have internet access? Will I have firewall issues with this setup? For instance will I have problems transfering files with Instant messenger with friends or my brother who likes to play PS2 online?
Originally posted by O and A
Will I have firewall issues with this setup? For instance will I have problems transfering files with Instant messenger with friends or my brother who likes to play PS2 online?
You'll have the exact same issues you have with your current setup.