help with setting up home network

[lunarwolf]

Hi

I have a BT home hub but unfortunately wireless is not the greatest to transfer data. I would like to have my equipment (PC, Xbox, PS3 and AV receiver) connected via ethernet/network cables, but my home hub only has 2 ethernet cable sockets.

What do i need to do this? a router, splitter? what type of cables? seems like the cables available on OCUK are for PC to PC connections, wouldnt i need straight CAT 5 cable and not patch/crossover?

thx

 

[Werewolf]

You should, if it's like most routers be able to hook up a switch to one of the ethernet ports and use that to give you additional ports.
This assumes the homehub isn't limited to just 2 ip's on it's wired connections, most routers might only have 2-8 physical ports, but allow many more actual devices if you hook it up to a switch to add more connections (for example my Linksys router has 4 ports on the back of it, but is connected to two 8 port switches to give me a total of 16 ports).

With modern switches you should be able to get away with patch cables, as most switches/routers these days are auto sensing for speed/cable type.

 

[lunarwolf]

thx

 

[Mercutio]

I've had the home hub connected to no few than 3 hubs previously (on a 4 way homeplug setup in fact). Any cheap dumb hub will be fine for your use.