I need a way to expand a 4 port router to handle 5-8 systems?

Question

I have a nice 4 port router (that norly works fine for me) but this weekend I am hosting a LAN party with somewhere between 5-8 people showing up. I need a cheap way (8 port routers cost about $150) to expand on my curent capacity.

Answer 1

All you need is 2 hubs/switch.....

If one of the visitors for your LAN party can bring one of theirs then you'll have 6 open ports....you'll need three 4-port units to have 9 open ports....so either someone brings one more or...you buy one for $20 or so...

I'm assuming you have all the cables you need....
(from experience I suggest you tell everyone to bring 2 of their own...bad jacks, wires, Friends in need, etc.)

Now, if all they have is another router then you're still in business as you can use the 4 local ports (just not the WAN) to daisy chain and connect the units.

Now if all you have are 2 hubs/switches then you're in like Flynn.

IF they bring along a 4 port router.. 2 things....

1> AGAIN DO NOT USE THE WAN PORT.....

2> Turn off the NAT function of the extra routers....(address translation) the router menu will call it either NAT or DHCP server.....same thing. turn that function off..on all but one of the routers... you must have 1 router that's giving the computers IP addresses...(network identities)...so they can communicate.....

If you don't understand all of this...one of the group should be a CPU geek or a CPU geek wanna be...that's all yer gonna need :)

hope this helps you!!

-dawgy
That's about it...!! have fun with yer party!!

Answer 2

u need a switch or splitters i dont know exactly how much the switch cost where u r but u can check in the internet if it cost more than u can afford then use splitters which are one input and 2 outputs so u can devide the out of the router to 2 that means u will get 8 outputs

Answer 3

bypass into the router configuration (see the handbook) and seem for DHCP. there may be a type placing for allocating addresses. develop the right handle slightly, disguise in line with threat 2 greater addresses than you desire. save this and you're able to be ok. If this would not artwork you may manually set the addresses of your desktops, and probably the different kit. the comparable rule applies, set numbers up from the uncomplicated selection. Use the comparable router and netmask numbers.

Answer 4

You can purchase an 8 port switch for 20 dollars or so. Just connect to one of your lan ports and your in business.

Answer 5

wireless and cheap way use usb network adapters on all the systems just have the router on the frist system you can run 250 computers from 1 router

Answer 6

You can put them on wireless also if you have a wireless router. They cost about 50 bucks. Or you can hook a switch into your router.

RJ