Switches and Routers.

Hey SevenForums.

I am planning on holding a LAN Party in a month or 2 and requier a bit of help because it is my first. About 6 - 10 people will be coming.

I need help on a few things and any imput people could put in would be greatly appreciated because I am very lost!

I was planning on purchasing a switch (Still not sure what to purchase yet. I am looking for something around 10 ports) and connecting it directly by a network cable to my Belkin Wireless G Universal Range Extender Router. Then connecting all the computers to the switch. All the computers connected to the switch will be running either XP, Vista or 7.

Is this going to work? What kind of settings am I going to need to change on the OS's to make them all be able to interact with each other in the games. Are their easier ways to do this?

I have no previous networking experience and am only 14, so go easy.

Mackenzie.

aem said:

If all your mates machines have wireless capabilties, all you do is get them to log into your wireless network and instant networking and net access. Do they all have wireless?

I was thinking of doing a wireless LAN but I thought that their would be more lag then doing a switch. But I don't really know because I have never done one before. Plus, I am pretty sure most of my friends computer won't have wireless cards, mine does but...

Thanks for the suggestion :)

aem said:

I'm not sure about lags if you have 10 machines connecting to your home network at once, but wireless makes things extemely simple.

Oh Okay thanks.

I have been reading an article and I think it pretty much was saying that you could do what I was thinking.

I have been looking at this switch. It seems to be what I am looking for.

I would still like conformation if anyone knows any more about this subject.

Thanks.

TimStitt said:

Hi Macca,

the link to the switch is the same as the lan party article, so I can't give you an opinion.

However, if you are unsure what to buy, you can always hire one.

Ahh woops.
I have pasted the wrong article.

Here it is.

D-Link 16-Port 10/100 Desktop/Rackmount Switch

Oh yeah, I didn't think of hiring one. I should also look into that.

I would certainly not use wireless for a LAN gaming party. Way too much lag, gaming is much better using wired connections IMO. The 8 port switches are much cheaper than a 16 port. You might be better off getting an 8 port and a 4 port switch as far as price is concerend. D-link is a good choice.

The switch you mention is cheap and simple. It's even got Auto Crossover so no need for cross over cabes, you can just use normal patch cables. Go for it I say. It's only a case of connecting the main router to the switch and providing all PC's with ethernet connections to the switch.