Switches, hubs and wireless

Horlock

Hi, It's been too long since working with networks, now I want to set one up at home and I've forgotton the terminology to buy the stuff I need - also any good recommendations other than ebay (which is where I will almost certainly be shopping - probably aiming for second hand).

Basically I've got a netgear adsl wireless router with 3 pc's plugged into the back - a couple of laptops connect remotely), but I would really like to start adding things like the dvd player and wii, which while they have ethernet they don't have wireless. They are also on the otherside of the house to the router.

So the question is what do I need (and hopefully the answer isn't a drill and a long length of cable).

gonzo127

homeplugs are probably the easiest option in that situation, wack one in next to your router with a ethernet cable into your router from the homeplug, pop the other ones next to the equipment you want connected and then a ethernet cable from the home plug into your equipment

kwikbreaks

As you don't have enough ports you'll need one or maybe two hubs or switches as well as either a cable between them or the homeplugs already suggested. You should be aware that homeplugs like WiFi run at nothing like the headline rate. 85Mbps ones will deliver around 30Mbps and 200Mbps ones around 70Mbps

In days of yore I did have a homeplug adaptor which had 3 ports but I'm not sure if they are still on sale. Mine overheated and went wrong.

BTW Wiis have built in wireless and I'm not aware of any DVD players that have network connectivity of any sort.

Horlock

kwikbreaks wrote: »

As you don't have enough ports you'll need one or maybe two hubs or switches as well as either a cable between them or the homeplugs already suggested. You should be aware that homeplugs like WiFi run at nothing like the headline rate. 85Mbps ones will deliver around 30Mbps and 200Mbps ones around 70Mbps

Speed isn't really an issue - as it'll be for the internet anyway and I don't have a fast connection speed.

kwikbreaks wrote: »

BTW Wiis have built in wireless and I'm not aware of any DVD players that have network connectivity of any sort.

I didn't realise that aout the wii, perhaps I don't need to buy anything - time to go and play. As for DVD read Blu-ray.

asc99c

Personally I'm a big fan of homeplug networking anyway. The best bit about homeplug for me was that you just plug it in, and you're on the network, just like it was an ethernet connection. The Billion adapters I've got never seem to drop out or have any hiccups and although real connection speed is closer to 40 Mbps than 200, it's a very consistent speed. Always found Wifi seems to be one of those things that doesn't quite work. It's usually fine but just about all the Wifi stuff I've got has it's hiccups. I think the Sky router isn't too great, as they run custom firmware that is usually not the most up to date one from the manufacturer (had Sagem and Netgear modems branded by Sky, both equally rubbish).

But even the Cisco Wifi stuff we have at work doesn't seem to be very good, while everything they make based on other tech seems close to flawless.

alexmole

A wireless access point with built in 4 port switch would be a good bet to connect to existing stuff, check out WAPs on Dabs.com, think mine was about £40

diable

get a gig switch and hard wire everyting

Horlock

alexmole wrote: »

A wireless access point with built in 4 port switch would be a good bet to connect to existing stuff, check out WAPs on Dabs.com, think mine was about £40

I think this was what I was thinking of, and couldn't remember the name of. Thanks I'll have a look.

exup

homeplugs - because they use the internal wiring of the house, which is untwisted, are susceptible to noise, and are half duplex, they are convenient, but they have their flaws too.
The best way is always to go cabled, but as you don't want to drill or lay cables, then that is out.
The next best would be careful placement of the wireless access point for best coverage, and use wireless.
Homeplug is a good fall back if the above is not practical