Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Question about routers, switches, etc... — Parallax Forums

Question about routers, switches, etc...

Don MDon M Posts: 1,653
edited 2012-12-24 12:56 in General Discussion
I have a combo unit DSL modem with wired and wireless router built in. I have 1 computer in my office that is connected via wire. So in this office I'd like to split the connection to add another computer that sits next to the first one and also have a spare port that I could plug the Spinneret into. So maybe something with 4 ports.

What is it that I need to make this work?
What do I need to look out for?


Thanks.
Don

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-12-22 11:00
    A 4/5 port wired router or ethernet switch connected between the DSL modem and the computers should do it.

    Can't think of anything to look out for. It really is pretty much plug and play for these bits of hardware.
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2012-12-22 11:03
    If your router has more than port, simply run another cat-5 to your second computer. If not, you can run your router output to a switch and run both (or more) computers from that.

    I have a multi-port router feeding 2 8-port switches. Just running 9 computers at the moment. ;-)

    @
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2012-12-22 11:09
    Also, you mentioned your DSL has a wireless, WiFi I presume, port.
    The wireless is nice and convenient, however, the Ethernet ports are generally faster and should be used if possible.

    Duane J
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,653
    edited 2012-12-22 11:26
    Regarding the wireless... yes I already use that throughout the house with laptops, etc. And yes I know I could run a second cable to the other computer but that's not the point of the question. I want the ability to plug in other ethernet devices like the Spinneret right at my desk with these other 2 computers as that is where I do my programming.

    So it sounds like all I need to do is go to Staples or Walmart and get a "switch" and connect it up and let it fly?

    Are there any problems then trying to access the Spinneret through the router --> switch combination from the web?
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-12-22 11:32
    Don M wrote: »
    Regarding the wireless... yes I already use that throughout the house with laptops, etc. And yes I know I could run a second cable to the other computer but that's not the point of the question. I want the ability to plug in other ethernet devices like the Spinneret right at my desk with these other 2 computers as that is where I do my programming.

    So it sounds like all I need to do is go to Staples or Walmart and get a "switch" and connect it up and let it fly?

    Are there any problems then trying to access the Spinneret through the router --> switch combination from the web?

    I have no experience with the spinneret so I can not answer this question, but I would suggest buying a router rather than a switch. There is very little difference in the price and the router is more likely to work over the web.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,653
    edited 2012-12-22 11:34
    So DSL Modem / Router --> New Router --> 2 PC's & Spinneret? Ok I'll look and see what I can find.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2012-12-22 11:51
    I use one of these:

    TRENDnet TEG-S50G

    Plug and go, no software or drivers needed. Plug this switch into the router, then all the computers into the switch. My router is only 10/100, so this also gives me 1000Mbps between the computers.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,653
    edited 2012-12-22 11:53
    I have a Netgear wireless router lying around. I see it has a WAN (Internet) port along with 4 other ports. I suppose I can use this and I'll end up with a second wireless access point. Maybe that feature can be turned off...
  • 4x5n4x5n Posts: 745
    edited 2012-12-22 11:53
    kwinn wrote: »
    I have no experience with the spinneret so I can not answer this question, but I would suggest buying a router rather than a switch. There is very little difference in the price and the router is more likely to work over the web.

    Technically routers and switches serve two very separate functions and aren't interchangeable. That said most routers have switches built into the same package but don't have to.

    If you're "internal" network is all on the same subnet then a switch is what's called for. Connect it to your DSL router and you'll be good to go. If you have multiple subnets in your house (if you do I'd like to know why :-) ) then you need a router to route traffic between. (not true in every case but close enough) I got a 5 port asus gigabit switch at Microcenter for under $40 and of course after less then a month I went back and found that since then Asus released an 8 port gig switch for ~$5 more :-(

    I live close enough to stop by and help get you setup if you need help. Feel free to PM me if I can help.

    Frank
  • Mike GMike G Posts: 2,702
    edited 2012-12-22 13:14
    Get a switch.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2012-12-22 13:47
    The switch can be described as a smart hub. I think if you get a new unit it is a switch for sure. Hub are not available anymore. Anyway it would only impact on the bandwidth handling.
    If you want to access the spinneret from outside you need to configure the router. Look for port redirection or a similar function. Then map the outside port 80 to the spinneret address.
    Many routers have a built in support for dynamic dns services, very useful unless you have a public static IP.
    Massimo
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,653
    edited 2012-12-22 15:35
    Went to Staples bought a Netgear switch for $25. I'll hook it up tomorrow. Thanks for all the insight.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,653
    edited 2012-12-23 06:51
    Wow. Now that was easy. Just plug everything in and away she goes.... No configuring at all. I like that.
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2012-12-24 12:56
    If you put a router with built in switch, you will end up having two separate subnets to deal with, the one in your modem handling wireless and the wan port on the routing switch, and the subnet of the addex routing switch and its ports. You may end up having fun if you go this route as private net addresses are non-routable.

    Late to the game..... Nevermind.......

    Just drop a 4 port switch between the computer and the dsl modem. Then after you hook up the cpu, you will still have 2 or 3 ports for wired use. Maybe consider an 8 port. These are pretty cheap if you don't need a router function (if the dsl modem handles it, otherwise replace the term switch with switch with built-in router but it sounds like your dsl modem does have a routing function) The wireless should work as before. As to the spinneret, question will be to the router and that is does the spinnerett use DHCP or static IP address. if static. Then you may have to look at thd modem setup to see how it divies up the static and dhcp ranges. I started DHCP at 192.168.1.100 and higher. Below .100 is all static. You may do things differently.....

    Don M wrote: »
    I have a combo unit DSL modem with wired and wireless router built in. I have 1 computer in my office that is connected via wire. So in this office I'd like to split the connection to add another computer that sits next to the first one and also have a spare port that I could plug the Spinneret into. So maybe something with 4 ports.

    What is it that I need to make this work?
    What do I need to look out for?


    Thanks.
    Don
Sign In or Register to comment.