4 computer network project...

[Wirezfree]

Hi,

You don't need another router, that will just add complexity.
You can use an ethernet switch, cheap one will do.


for 100Mb: One like this.
or for 1Gb: One like this

Then 1 ethernet cable from your existing router into the switch, and you now have 4 more ports.
No need to do any config changes. Just plug into new ports.


The only thing to take care of/consider...
If you are using DHCP on the router.?, make sure you have allowed enough addresses.

[glin22]

Hi,

You don't need another router, that will just add complexity.
You can use an ethernet switch, cheap one will do.


for 100Mb: One like this.
or for 1Gb: One like this

Then 1 ethernet cable from your existing router into the switch, and you now have 4 more ports.
No need to do any config changes. Just plug into new ports.


The only thing to take care of/consider...
If you are using DHCP on the router.?, make sure you have allowed enough addresses.

That's handy to know, thanks for the input.

But I didn't want to go out and pay for extra equipment, I found out there's a way to extend the router and use it like a switch. I set the second router on a different IP address, then I connected up one of the LAN ports from the first router to a LAN port on the second router. I then turned off DHCP on the 2nd router. So far, everything seems to work and I now have 7 ports to play with instead of 4 without having to buy anything additional. But your idea is good if I want to add even more stuff.

I don't know, maybe there's a way to have the first router connect up to the WAN port on the 2nd router and then have 8 ports instead of 7, don't know how that's done. But at least I have 7 ports to play with now.

Glin22


Glin22

[Wirezfree]

@ glin22

Glad you almost have it sorted.. Yes certain modem/routers can be configured to just use the router part...

A useful tool when having a large network is "Angry IP Scanner" used it for years on Windows, now on Linux.
It's in synaptic "ipscan" but it's about 18 months old. You can get the latest .deb from the website, Jan this year.


GL

[firenice03]

@ glin22

Glad you almost have it sorted.. Yes certain modem/routers can be configured to just use the router part...

Just to add to... You can disable WiFi from the settings, so only 1 router is addressing those devices (especially if next  each other..)

Some "helpful" info with may help in what the "routers" are doing and how different connections work..
http://superuser.com/questions/936062/ex...an-and-lan
Trying to keep it simple  depending on your equipment you can really get crazy 

[glin22]

[quote author=Wirezfree link=topic=2998.msg23220#msg23220 date=1462810563]
@ glin22

Glad you almost have it sorted.. Yes certain modem/routers can be configured to just use the router part...

Just to add to... You can disable WiFi from the settings, so only 1 router is addressing those devices (especially if next  each other..)

Some "helpful" info with may help in what the "routers" are doing and how different connections work..
http://superuser.com/questions/936062/ex...an-and-lan
Trying to keep it simple  depending on your equipment you can really get crazy 
[/quote]

@Firenice03, those are golden words you just said, simple is a great thing ! Last night I found a few more networking sites, did more reading and I could spend weeks fiddling around with other settings. I think part of the solution I want is to fiddle a bit with the subnet mask, I'm going to try that and then call it quits for the time being. I achieved what I wanted to do (thanks to the people who gave feedback), it's a big deal for me, kinda like when I got 2 monitors, this ability to hang some extra devices on the network opens up new vistas !

Glin22

[firenice03]

[quote author=firenice03 link=topic=2998.msg23222#msg23222 date=1462814527]
[quote author=Wirezfree link=topic=2998.msg23220#msg23220 date=1462810563]
@ glin22

Glad you almost have it sorted.. Yes certain modem/routers can be configured to just use the router part...

Just to add to... You can disable WiFi from the settings, so only 1 router is addressing those devices (especially if next  each other..)

Some "helpful" info with may help in what the "routers" are doing and how different connections work..
http://superuser.com/questions/936062/ex...an-and-lan
Trying to keep it simple  depending on your equipment you can really get crazy 
[/quote]

@Firenice03, those are golden words you just said, simple is a great thing ! Last night I found a few more networking sites, did more reading and I could spend weeks fiddling around with other settings. I think part of the solution I want is to fiddle a bit with the subnet mask, I'm going to try that and then call it quits for the time being. I achieved what I wanted to do (thanks to the people who gave feedback), it's a big deal for me, kinda like when I got 2 monitors, this ability to hang some extra devices on the network opens up new vistas !

Glin22
[/quote]
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Like the URL mentioned "home use" routers are more than just a router - DHCP/DNS servers and firewalls... Lots to play with and depending on your model & firmware many other options available too...

Since you mentioned these were new to you - acquired equipment.. You may want to look at  dd-wrt you maybe able to flash it..
I did on an old linksys router, I use for camping (campgrounds)
And... dd-wrt is a Linux based firmware