Home network - changing from router to a switch

gupott

gupott

gupott

Associate
Joined
26 May 2008
Posts
247
Hi all,

First up, I can't say I really understand the black art of networking, I basically have always got by on a wing and a prayer but I am having a few issues.

So, I live in an old house in the middle of nowhere however not far from the exchange. I am with BT and the line comes into the house and travels for about 20 feet before I can get my modem/router connected. From there I plug in the wall via a bt homeplug. I also plug another another homeplug of a different make (solwise) into the BT one and also connect it to my router. From there I can connect my PC (I get 20 meg surprisingly) using the solwise homeplug network using a 'piggy6' (basically a gangplug with ethernet ports). I then plug another homeplug in the lounge from where I take the ethernet line into a solwise modem/router. From there into BT box, ps3 and xbox360.

So my main problem is the connection to the solwise router in the lounge, it is pretty much always fine for the bt box but the ps3 and xbox360 can only connect to the internet (wired) intermittently. So my question is - should I change the solwise modem/router for a 5 port switch? My thinking being the main issue is probably something to do with the solwise modem/router and it maybe over complicating things.

Sorry for rambling - any thoughts?
 
That sounds bad!!

I was looking at something like Netgear GS105 5-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch.

Is this decent? Is there anything else I should consider.
 
The switch you've linked is fine (BTW linking to OcUK's competitors is against the forum rules). The situation you describe doesn't need a Gigabit switch, so you could save a few £s if you wanted to.

Using the Solwise router as a switch shouldn't be causing you any NAT issues unless it connected incorrectly. For the use you describe the DHCP server should be disabled, and then only the LAN ports should be used. If the WAN port isn't connected there can't be any NAT involvement.

Why two different pairs of homeplugs? You should just have one adapter at each location (all of the same standard).
 
Thanks for the replies.

In answer to bremen1874 - so if I make some changes to the configuration of the Solwise router I can use it, essentially, as a switch without the need for new hardware. Now, if I could only remember the url!!!!!!

Two different homeplugs - I moved house and used the solwise kit as my network previously, but on moving I changed to BT which didn't like the solwise stuff - so I was forced to mix and match. It has generally worked but I know its not an ideal solution. In a perfect world I want to move where the telephone lines comes into the house and bring it into the front room and place it behind the TV.
 
sounds like you just need to disable the DHCP server on the o ther router so it doesn't give out the wrong gateway/dns settings
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom