Network gurus, quick Q.

[jerrygarcia]

I am running a 'home' network and want to expand. I have DSL and a Linksys 4 port router. All ports are accounted for now and need more. Should I expand to an 8 port router or add an 8 port switch? There is no need for actual networking other than printer sharing. 1 printer, all other computers are pretty much personal.

Suggestions?

just a switch or hub will do

Yep, add a bigger switch and uplink it to the router. How big a switch will depend how buig you see your home LAN getting.

Cheers
Mick

Or, go for wireless and add a WAP and wireless NIC's for extra PC's.

Cheers
Mick

[jerrygarcia]

Do I need to investigate switches or all of them about the same?

This is my favorite local place where I will probably buy it.

http://secure.cartsvr.net/catalogs/i...200465&count=1

[Xeroid]

Yep, you can use your Router's uplink port to connect to a hub or switch. I've used Netgear and Linksys and had a lot of luck with both.

That NWay palm size 8-port is a lot like one I have. Works fine for my home LAN.

There are various features you can get, even for switches, but providing they are all self-sensing 10/100 with autonegotiation, I'd say that's all you need, really.

Cheers
Mick

[Mntsnow]

Personally for a LAN I would stay with a Wired add on switch rather than a wireless for the fact that you will maintain 100mb speed on the LAN where as if you use a wireless addon you will drop your connection between the two network segments to 10mb. and that just stinks if you move files around....ok if only surfin the web but if you start moving files thats just crawling....