your capapcity.
I have a wired/wireless network running on a Linksys 4-port wireless-B router, and all the ports are used. How can I add another wired computer? What equipment should I buy?
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I have a wired/wireless network running on a Linksys 4-port wireless-B router, and all the ports are used. How can I add another wired computer? What equipment should I buy?
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Do you know you don't actually need to connect each PC to the router? Theoretically, 2 Router ports minimum are needed. One for connecting your home network to an outside or separate network and one port for connecting a low cost multiple port hub or switch on the 2nd Router port. Then connect all your home computers to the low cost multi-port hub or switch (preferred). You can find one these hubs and switches from thousands of vendors and even friends who've out-grown their old hub/switch. Prices vary from under $10US to thousands. Nortel has a great 8 port 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch which will provide the extra ports (For a few $s more, I would pickup a 16 port Gigabit Switch), place all your connected components on the same network segment (the router will generate a separate IP address for each component).
There are too numerous advantages to adding this switch into your network to list. What it did for me was to off-load traffic from the router allowing it to concentrate on routing. Communication between my components on the 8-port Gigabit switch is fast, allows NetBIOS (windows naming, file & print sharing) amongst these computers/printers and full visibility of my single Windows domain/workgroup. If using a router which creates separate networks...this is not available.
Plus you can upgrade your components from 10-to-100-to-1000 at your pace. All will work together on the switch.
Save your Router and even start using the extra tools available on the Router. Use your switch and improve your network.