How To Get More Ports From My Router

[johnm32073]

I have three computers (win 7on one and two on xp)
My hook up is Modem to a Router. (Linksys 4 port)
It comes out of my router to a 6 port expansion board where is wired to different room”s of my house. Using all 6 ports. Since I only have outlets ports from my router,It feeds 4 ports on my expansion board. Everything works find like it is suppose to.
Now comes my problem, I had my TV system upgraded to HD.(Two new HD receivers) Each one has a Ethernet connection to download movies from the dish network to my HD DVR Receiver. I got one receiver hooked up and working, but I am out of ports on my router as it is only a four port router.
Three computers and one DVR HD Receiver,so I am one port short. What do I do add a Access point or switch? or can a 5 port router.
Anyone has any info on who has them ( makes,model #)
I do not know anything about a switch or access point. I know wireless is not an option (to many cards to buy,installing, locking down,)

Thanks any info you may offer
John

 

[severedsolo]

Hi john, this is your lucky day

Personally, I'd get a cheap router and set it up as a switch, you may even be able to get one from your ISP, I don't know about where you are, but here they hand them out like sweets. I just phone them up, tell them my router's fried, and they send me a new one.

To be fair, it can even be a broken router if the Networking functions still work on it, my 2nd router has ADSL connection issues, so I just use it as a switch.

this tutorial will tell you how to set up a 2nd router as a switch: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91791-multi-router-network-configure.html

It will show you how to configure a 2nd router as a switch (effectively 4 more Ethernet Ports, and extended Wireless range)

 

[chev65]

I will have to disagree with you on this one severed, why on earth would you want to complicate something as simple as a switch by using a router? Switches are much cheaper and by far easier to set up than making a router work for this.

To the OP, purchase a switch, it's the easiest and best way to do this.

 

[severedsolo]

why on earth would you want to complicate something as simple as a switch by using a router?

As I said, for me, a new router is free, its literally a case of phoning the ISP, telling them its died, they send me a new one and a bag to send the old one back in, and I just throw the bag in the bin and they don't say any more about it.

Its really not complicated to set up, you can do it in less than 2 minutes.

However, you do have a point, if you can't get a free router, then a switch is probably easier to set up and cheaper. Most people I know who are into computers (and by the sounds of it the OP is) have a defunct router lying around somewhere that can be used.

 

[Phone Man]

A switch would be the easiest. Just plug it in and away you go. Don't know what Linksys router you have. I would stay with the Linksys brand for compatibility reasons, although that may not be a real problem. Here are a few from Newegg. They have lots of other brands also.

Newegg.com - Linksys/Switches

Jim

 

[DocBrown]

I have Linksys 5 port, 8 port, & 16 port Hubs & switches on my network, that work just great

 

[johnm32073]

I bought me a D Link 8 port Switch, Hooked it up, and everything is running good, I never used a switch before
Thank's for the help