do i need a switch to achieve this?

snow patrol · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:04

Hi all, basically we have major problems with the wireless in our place so we've all decided to plug in via ethernet cable. Unfortunately our virgin modem only has one ethernet port. If i got one of these:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-099-NG&tool=3

would that do the trick? Would i simply plug the modem into that and then plug the various pcs into the switch? Many thanks.

paradigm · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:17

Yep, that'd do fine.

FrenchTart · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:18

No it wouldn't - the OP needs an ethernet (not ADSL) router.

A switch alone won't do the job.

Seaniboy · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:21

Please someone correct me as i maybe totally wrong because i have never really done much when it comes to cable.

But if this is a standard "modem" then this will not work? Best way to check is to plug one of the computer into the ethernet port on the modem and tell us what ip is given to the machine..

***edit - Ok i am correct :-)

theheyes · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:23

Unless I'm missing something about the Virgin modem, I see no reason why a switch won't work. :confused:

Seaniboy · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:27

theheyes said:
Unless I'm missing something about the Virgin modem, I see no reason why a switch won't work.

Because modem's do not NAT.

FrenchTart · 16 Feb 2009 at 12:30

Exactly as Seaniboy said. You need a router, not just a switch.

I just hope the OP has seen all the replies rather than spending money on the wrong item due to incorrect advice.

paradigm · 16 Feb 2009 at 13:13

If his current setup (ie the cable connection he currently has) can support multiple PC's on WiFi, then it will be capable of NAT translation.

Thus, a switch will be fine.

errata · 16 Feb 2009 at 13:21

If you already have wireless (even if its rubbish) then you might already have a router with wireless access point somewhere in the system. You could hang any switch off that if it has a spare ethernet out port.

If you dont already have a router then a switch will not help unless you want to faff about setting a PC up to act like a router with internet connection sharing.

The good news for the OP is that cable routers dont cost much more than a switch

FrenchTart · 16 Feb 2009 at 15:37

paradigm said:
If his current setup (ie the cable connection he currently has) can support multiple PC's on WiFi, then it will be capable of NAT translation.

Thus, a switch will be fine.

Fair point

I only read the "modem" part so kind of picked up on that...