Switches and Routers.

[macka7887]

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]

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?

 

[macka7887]

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]

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

 

[macka7887]

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]

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.

 

[macka7887]

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.

 

[chev65]

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.

 

[aem]

Yes i didnt know he was doing a LAN party. Never housed one or been in one but a switch or even a hub should do it.

 

[UnderCover00J]

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.

 

[Ryan2320]

Are they going to need Internet access.?

If so you can do that by just connecting an Ethernet cord (Cat5e) to your router..Then you don't have to worry about giving all the PCs IP Address as your router will assign them for you...(In most cases)

If you are not going to need internet access then a switch should work and thats really all you need..You would have to assign IP address manually..like 192.168.0.1, then .2,.3,.4,.5,.6,.7

Hope this Helps and Happy Holidays.

 

[macka7887]

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.

I think I am going to go for that 16 port one. As you said it is very cheap. I was at my local electronic store today and they had an 8 for the same price as I can buy the D-Link 16 port. Their is definely a way I am going to be able to do it, it just might be quiet a lot of trial and error.

Are they going to need Internet access.?

If so you can do that by just connecting an Ethernet cord (Cat5e) to your router..Then you don't have to worry about giving all the PCs IP Address as your router will assign them for you...(In most cases)

If you are not going to need internet access then a switch should work and thats really all you need..You would have to assign IP address manually..like 192.168.0.1, then .2,.3,.4,.5,.6,.7

Hope this Helps and Happy Holidays.

Yeah all computers are going to need internet access.

For memory the router only has 4 or 5 ports on it.

I thought that a switch was going to let me have internet access and play LAN on games like on COD4...:huh:

I should also mention that my router has a DHCP server.

Merry Christmas rb:

 

[win7clutz]

This is way easy and you've got it right... Purchase any hub/switch and run a cat5 from the router to the switch. Assuming that your router is setup as a DHCP server which usually the default, then all your users can plugin to the switch and DHCP will give them an address and they'll be on the net...

 

[Ryan2320]

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.

I think I am going to go for that 16 port one. As you said it is very cheap. I was at my local electronic store today and they had an 8 for the same price as I can buy the D-Link 16 port. Their is definely a way I am going to be able to do it, it just might be quiet a lot of trial and error.

Are they going to need Internet access.?

If so you can do that by just connecting an Ethernet cord (Cat5e) to your router..Then you don't have to worry about giving all the PCs IP Address as your router will assign them for you...(In most cases)

If you are not going to need internet access then a switch should work and thats really all you need..You would have to assign IP address manually..like 192.168.0.1, then .2,.3,.4,.5,.6,.7

Hope this Helps and Happy Holidays.

Yeah all computers are going to need internet access.

For memory the router only has 4 or 5 ports on it.

I thought that a switch was going to let me have internet access and play LAN on games like on COD4...:huh:

I should also mention that my router has a DHCP server.

Merry Christmas rb:

You should be fine then, your router will do all the Hard work for you like win7clutz said you can just plug one cable from the router to the switch and now when any computer connects to the switch they all have Internet access..

Hope this Helps..

 

[aem]

Just get an ethernet hub like this. I would thinkthe back has an ethernet port that you plug into one of your 4 ports on the router.

Unless you go and get it and try, you'll die wondering.

 

[macka7887]

Ah okay. Thanks for the help anyone. I will post back with the results and any questions I have.

Thanks Again