[Seltox]

My friends and I often have LAN parties, and we have been using my D-Link DI-614+ router to connect.

This router is only a 4 port router, and we're planning on having 6 at the LAN parties soon, so I want to buy something I can use to connect 6 computers. 8-port, preferably.

We've tried using some 8-port hubs and stuff before, but they've never worked, and we're all rather clueless when it comes to networks.

So I was wondering if something like this or this would work. 'work' in the sense of we plug the computers into it, and have minimal trouble being able to game.

And any relative information about networks would be highly appreciated.

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I would just add something like this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16833124005, in addition to the router that you already have. I would only recommend a single one of those switches if it was to remain LAN and there will not be any connection to the internet. It is best for security purposes for the router to remain the device in between your network and the internet, plus a small 5 port switch is a bit cheaper.

We've tried using some 8-port hubs and stuff before, but they've never worked, and we're all rather clueless when it comes to networks.

Hubs have no way of controlling the traffic that comes through it. All your computers are allowed to send packets at the same time causing collisions and serious game lag. Also, when a hub has a packet to send one of your machines, it sends the packed to every computer that is connected to it until one computer says "yeah, that ones for me". Hubs are dated equipment and should not be used in modern networking.

[Titan8990]

I would just add something like this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16833124005, in addition to the router that you already have. I would only recommend a single one of those switches if it was to remain LAN and there will not be any connection to the internet. It is best for security purposes for the router to remain the device in between your network and the internet, plus a small 5 port switch is a bit cheaper.

We've tried using some 8-port hubs and stuff before, but they've never worked, and we're all rather clueless when it comes to networks.

Hubs have no way of controlling the traffic that comes through it. All your computers are allowed to send packets at the same time causing collisions and serious game lag. Also, when a hub has a packet to send one of your machines, it sends the packed to every computer that is connected to it until one computer says "yeah, that ones for me". Hubs are dated equipment and should not be used in modern networking.

[Seltox]

Ah. okay. Thanks for the info on the hub.

So basically the switch is just a better, 'smarter' version of a hub that can control packets itself?

And lastly - If I was to get just that 5 port switch, would I be able to plug 4 computers into it, and then connect the switch to the router, and plug an extra 3 computers into the router? Or is that just stupid?

Thanks for the reply,
Seltox

[TheQuickBrownFox]

Ah. okay. Thanks for the info on the hub.

So basically the switch is just a better, 'smarter' version of a hub that can control packets itself?

Yes. Simply, the switch is a 'smart' hub.

And lastly - If I was to get just that 5 port switch, would I be able to plug 4 computers into it, and then connect the switch to the router, and plug an extra 3 computers into the router? Or is that just stupid?

That's perfectly fine.

[Seltox]

Thanks for all the replies

~Seltox


Oh, and in conclusion:
I'll talk to my friends and see if we can all pitch in to get an 8-port Switch, if they won't, i'll just get a 5-port for myself.