What networking equipment should I buy?

Question

I have cable modem downstairs with a 4-port "wired" router sharing the internet between 3 PCs (2 downstairs, and mine is upstairs).

I recently puchased an Xbox 360 (which is upstairs as well) and want to connect that to my network, however, there is no way I can connect it to the router downstairs. I tried another router upstairs, but it didn't work so I took it back.

What equipment can I buy to use upstairs that will allow my PC and Xbox to be on the internet at the same time?

Answer 1

Since you already have a router you can install a standard switch and wire both units into it. It will pass the necessary information to allow connection. Should be around $20. Get a name brand, some of the cheap ones don't perform as they should.

Answer 2

From your description, you have a wired router system that has a built in 4 port network switch. You need more than 4 LAN ports.

I suggest you purchase a 4 port (or larger) unmanaged network switch and put it upstairs. Connect the currently used CAT5 line from the router LAN port to the new network switch and run two new CAT5 patch cables from the new network switch to the xbox and the pc.

Check the use of uplink ports on the network switch; some have them and some do not. If they have an uplink port you may need to use it rather than any other port on the switch to link to the router; in some cases this is not applicable.

Answer 3

Just purchase a cheap 4 port switch, connect it to the ethernet cable that is now going into your upstairs computer and add a cable from the switch to the computer and from the switch to your xbox. Now everything will have access to the internet.