getting multiple computers, do I need a switch or a router?

I just bought a used refurbished Dell PC with XP installed, and am also considering a Raspberry Pi. Provided I would want to hook all 3(well, 2- I have 2 monitors and can only run 2 at a time at most) to the internet so I'm not using one at a time, would I need a switch or a router for this? We'll assume I'm not setting up a LAN for the devices to communicate direct to each other, I just want them online together.

Switches cost less but I don't want to buy it and find it's not what I need.

Hello Diosoth,

Most home use routers come with 4 available ports for connectivity, so as long as you have 4 or less devices to connect via hard line, you don't need a switch.

Also if you prefer to avoid using a switch you can purchase a WiFi router and use WiFi adapters on any piece of equipment beyond the 4 hard lined devices.

At the bare minimum you will still need to set up the router to be a DHCP server, and all devices to be DHCP.

Finally, you could have all 3 devices on the internet at the same time if you wanted to with only the 2 monitors by using a cheap KVM and attaching 2 of the devices to 1 Keyboard Video Mouse setup; or you could do all 3 devices to 1 monitor using a 4 port KVM.

Good Luck!

I think for my needs, if I get a Pi I may want my W7 PC and Pi with XBMC for video streaming on at all times. The XP PC won't need to be connected at all times since, at best, it's a backup/older game computer that I'll only go online with if I need to, and I probably won't be using it full time anyway.

I prefer to go wired. Wireless anything seems iffy indoors in my house, even cell phones have issues.

Should mention my current ISP-supplied modem is a Comtrend CT-5072T
http://www.speedguide.net/routers/co...ort-router-975


My area is also getting upgraded to fiber optic phone and internet "eventually". No actual time frame though the phone company has been installing the fiber optic lines all over for months. I'm not sure if this will be fiber to the home or not so... assuming the do fiber to the home, would a switch or router be obsolete in a few months if I buy one? I'm not entirely certain how this arrangement will work.

That router looks like a 1 port 100mbps device. I'd say get a gigabit switch ie

router - switch - all the pcs

even though you say you're not bothered about devices talking to each other, if in the future you need this facility eg copy files, this is done via the switch and a gigabit switch is 10X faster than a 10/100 box. Also networking is a useful skill to learn. When deciding how many ports you need, remember one is taken up by the router connection. I have an 8 port gigabit switch for my home network - only cost about £25.

Going by that suggestion, my best choices for a price I like are a Dynex DX-GB5PRT, a TP-LINK TL-SG1005D, a NetGear GS605 or a D-Link DGS-1005G. Each is $20 shipped.

@shadowjk - I think you are wrong re crossover cables. A crossover cable is only needed when you connect pc to pc directly. It hooks up i/p to o/p. With a switch, router etc only regular cables are needed. Anyhow modern switches, routers and indeed nic cards auto detect straight or crossover so in general you can use either.

The OP said he may be going fiber. With any luck, his ISP will supply a new modem router, hopefully wireless enabled. That is my setup -

FTTC - copper to house - wireless router - 8 port switch

the wifi is handy when someone comes round with a laptop

the TP-Link model I'm looking at says it automatically detects the connection type so it doesn't need crossover cables.

Crossover cables are just for pc to pc using just a cable and nothing else. The Rx and Tx are switched at one end so 1 pc sends and the other pc receives. If you connect pc - switch - pc you need straight cables. So in a home network, you only need straight cables, although because of auto detection you can substitute the 'wrong' type if necessary.

BTW my switch is also TP-Link and works ok.