Networking more then 4 computers?

Question

My cable modem is on the 2nd floor and I have 3 computers on the 2rd, 1 computer on the 1st and 1 computer in the basement.
I currently have a 4 port router and one computer doesnt have internet access.
The setup I want is all the computers online without having to relocate the modem and the ability to have lan parties(that are online too) in the basement while having all the other computers online too.
modem+router --> 4 PCs + basement PC that can have more PC's connected.

What do I need to do this?

Answer 1

Get an Ethernet Switch. (I am selling one at http://www.eptop.com) Check the prices at http://www.newegg.com

This simply expands one port to more ports, hassle free.

Answer 2

Others have already stated the 2 main options: buy a hub/switch (I definitely recommend a switch, not a hub, if you're planning LAN parties, because switches have much better performance), or go wireless. Most wireless routers (which would replace the box you have currently with 4 ports) usually have ethernet ports on them as well, so your PC's upstairs may not be affected. The biggest concern with wireless: depending on the materials in your house, a signal on the 2nd floor may not reach the basement, though, or may have poor signal strength there.

If you go with a hub/switch (and keep your existing router), you'll want to decide on where to put it. Where would a LAN party be held - 1st floor, 2nd floor, or basement? If the basement, you'll want to run a network cable between the router and the basement, and then run another cable from the basement to the 1st floor - that way the switch is close by for the LAN party. The 1st floor would be similar - a cable from the router to the 1st floor, the switch/hub on the 1st floor, and another cable from the switch/hub to the basement.

If your LAN parties are going to be on the 2nd floor, you'll need to decide whether you're going to disconnect 1 or more PC's during the LAN party and move the switch from the basement or 1st floor to the 2nd floor, or whether you want the switch/hub already on the 2nd floor. If the first option, go back to the previous comments about placing the switch on the 1st floor or in the basement. If the second option, then you'll need to run a network cable from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor, and a network cable from the 2nd floor to the basement, and have a network cable go from the router to the switch/hub, and another cable from it to 2 of your existing PC's.

When looking at switches/hubs, make sure you plan for the number of people coming to your LAN parties - you'll be able to hook up n - 3 PC's, with "n" being the number of ports on the switch. So, for an 8 port switch, you'd have:
8 - 1 port for the cable to the router - 1 port for one of your existing PC's - 1 port for another of your existing PC's = 5 ports free.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I propose you get at least an 8 port Hub or Ethernet switch that should connect all your PCs, It will also allow you to share a single internet connection without extra hardware. You may need to put up cabling for all the computers if you haven't already done that on your current system.

You may not need to move your cable modem from the 2nd floor but if you are putting new cabling, you may need to consider the shortest route equation which should help you determine the shortest length of cable to link up the four computers...
Good luck

Answer 4

Your router isn't a wireless one? Set up all the computers with wireless network cards. Wireless routers also have 4 Ethernet ports, so you can also use those too.
After that, you can enable 'extended range mode' on the wireless router and have your own block party.
:)

Answer 5

in each computer there must be ethernet cards.
you need an adsl modem with enough ports at rear say 4 ports.
or
give each computer a number.
and a path to modem (lean it from internet or from model manual). You need cables to reach to each computer from the main one.

Or you may use another software. searh download sites for it.

Answer 6

Everyone has got it right, get yourself a switch, either 8 or 16 port.

Answer 7

what you needs is a router with wireless built into it so you can set the router on your pc then all the other pcs use ,wireless usb adapters or for laptops network cards or adapters

to set up a wireless network for 250+ computers , this way

you conncet the ethernet cable to the back of the router on the port that is marked ethernet then you take the other end of the cable to the ethernet card on on the back of your pc you conncet it to the port marked ethernet

then you conncet the other cable to the back of the ruter port that is marked DSL then you take that cable to the modem box conncet it to the port marked on the modem marked DSL
then you conncet the modem cable box to your phoneline box
conncet the power cable to the router and put the power on
now you put in the cd driver that came with your router
and you install the network drivers
now you need to set up a network id & password on the router
you will be told how to do all that when you install the drivers & software for the router
when you have install the drivers and software fo r the router
your need to restart the pc
when your back at the desktop
you will see a network icon in the taksbar by the pc time
if it has a red X on it right click it and click on enable
if you dont see a network icon in the taskbar
click on start/control panel
click on
network and internet connections
icon
then click on network connections icon
now right click the
local Area connection
icon and click on properties
tick the box
show icon in notification ares when connected
tick the box
notify me when this connection has limited or no connectivity

now click on
then authentication tab at the top

tick the box
enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for network
tick the box
authenticate as computer when infomatiion is available
then right click
local Area connection
and click on enable
now your router internet will log online with in 45 seconds
when your router is online you conncet your phoncable to the modem marked
phone

now when your router is online

then you need to get in the router home page and click on the wireles lan icon
and you set up a network id for the laptop
and a security wpa key not a wep key dont use that one use wpa key
then you put a wireless usb adapter on the laptop you install the network drivers on the laptop for the wireless usb
then you click on the network icon in the taskbar by the time on the laptop right click on it go to properties then you click on view wireless networks then you click on advanced tab you put in the network id and security key that u set up on the router home back then you click apply & ok then you click on view wireless network's your see your network id click on that then click on conncet


if you have a wireless card in the laptop just

click on the network icon in the taskbar by the time on the laptop right click on it go to properties then you click on view wireless networks then you click on advanced tab you put in the network id and security key that u set up on the router home back then you click apply & ok then you click on view wireless network's your see your network id click on that then click on conncet

if your network cuts out at any time just right click the network icon by the pc time
and click on repair that is on the 2 computers you can do this then windows xp will repair the
network for you and it dont take long at all
if you cant set that up
your be better off if you get you (isp)server to help you set all that up

Answer 8

you better cal for an network engineer ...