Gaming Network Setup, Switch/Hub/Router

MrPink

MrPink

MrPink

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21 Oct 2009
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86
Hi guys i have about 3/4 computers in my house that i am looking to network together for gaming and file sharing and the like.

What is the best way to go about it Hub/Switch/Router heard that they have their benefits and downfalls. which is the best one to setup for a small gaming network?

any help much appreciated
 
MrPink said:
Hub/Switch/Router heard that they have their benefits and downfalls.
Click to expand...

No, they have different applications. A scenario that calls for a hub/switch isn't going to call for a router. And vice-versa. I guess there are times that a layer 3 switch will do for inter-vlan routing, but you certainly won't be touching on that.

Basically, ignore hubs, split bandwidth and a single collision domain = bad. Switch is what you want. Router is something completely beyond the context of what you are trying to do.
 
thing that i read about a switch is that if i wanted to get these computers onto the internet i would have to setup one pc as the host or gateway, will that place limitations on itself or the other computers on the network if 4 computers were gaming simultaneously over the internet?
 
i have neither at the min. plugging in 4 computers into a switch and then plugging that into a router would do the trick?
 
Specify what you currently have and how you connect to the internet. i.e. ADSL/Cable and if you want all clients to have net access.
 
at the min i dont, i get on the internet in work or down a cafe or wherever.

was looking at getting in a package 5 - 7MB bundles. they advertise coming with free wi fi routers, would it be as simple as getting one of these and plugging my computers straight into this for them to see and read each other? and all lan games working of this aswell?
 
Yes, you need a router to do all the routing. The free wifi routers will do the trick fine, theyt have 4 lan ports on them so you can plug in 4 computers/devices and any wireless you want. You can also expand on your wired by plugging a switch into one of the ports on the router if you need more than 4 wired ports.
 
at the home level unless you want to tinker manually with your network you need a reliable network managing device such as a router. Hubs and switches are really just for connectng devices and dont set up or manage the network.

A router can also handle traffic from you network to the internet via a modem (built in or separate) and has a security firewall


as a quick checklist

cable isp or adsl isp (router or adsl router)
number of ethernet ports needed (some might have just one, 4 is more usual)
wireless or not and which speed to match your wifi adapters (54g, 108, pre n or N 150 , N300 speeds)

common issues are weak wifi, sharing files bewteen different version of windows and setting the right level of security

using cables, the networking wizards and cahnging router and wifi passwords address most of these
 
errata said:
a reliable network managing device such as a router.
Click to expand...

Since when was that the definition of a router? And since when were switches just dumb boxes for connecting devices together?

People should be taught networking as a single subject, rather than trying to split it into "home" and "corporate". Yes consumer grade "routers" aren't typically routers at all, they are multifunction devices usually comprising of switches, access points, modems and basic software packet routing and NAT.

Infact, in theory consumer-grade "routers" shouldn't be called routers at all.
 
ok so what should they be called, ime guessin they are called this cause they fulfill a specific purpose fall into a certain bracket?
 
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