Hitman247m Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 I've been trying to figure out how to share my broadband connection throughout my house. At the moment, I'm using a 4-port router. Now my question is in regards to a Network Switch. Is it the same deal as a router (just more ports) or is there some major difference that could stop me buying a 8-16 port switch? :shock: Thanks in advance... Hitman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anesthesia Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 A switch will not replace your router - your router connects to the internet via the phone line. A switch will only work on one medium (ethernet in this case). Also, a switch doesn't route. A switch builds up a database of which machines are connected to which ports and only sends traffic locally on layer 2 of the OSI model. A router builds up a routing table of which direction packets need to be sent in and usually connects 2 networks, such as a home LAN to an ISP's network (edge router) or 2 other routers in an ISP's network (core router). Routers operate on layer 3 of the OSI model. Technically, what you have is a router with a 4-port switch attached. Do you need more than 4 machines connected to it? Some people are changed by being a moderator. I wouldn't be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman247m Posted December 2, 2006 Author Share Posted December 2, 2006 At the moment, it's 3 PCs and an Xbox 360; but I'm buying a computer for me soon, and I'm also looking at getting some form of network-attached storage device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anesthesia Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 I can't remember exactly how this works, but you could consider getting a switch and then plugging it into the router; I know we've had it set up that way before. Some people are changed by being a moderator. I wouldn't be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaN Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 At the moment, it's 3 PCs and an Xbox 360; but I'm buying a computer for me soon, and I'm also looking at getting some form of network-attached storage device. You can connect a switch to your router if the router dosent allow devices connected to it to talk to eachother or you need more than 4ports. You can use a crossover cable to plug the switch into the router the same way you would plug a computer into a router using a standard (aka strait thru) cable. ~Dan64AuSince 27 Aug 2002 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman247m Posted December 2, 2006 Author Share Posted December 2, 2006 Thanks, I'll give that a try :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now