Associate
- Joined
- 11 Oct 2008
- Posts
- 268
hey guys, i have 4 computers in my house at the moment that i would like to link up so i can access files from all of them from one computer, what do i need to buy to do this, is it a switch ?
networking all my computers together
- Thread starter jamesmorris86
- Start date
Associate
- Joined
- 17 May 2004
- Posts
- 1,585
Yes.
You will also then need to configure the file sharing so that can be accessed.
Personally I would just buy a NAS and upload files to there that need sharing. That way the PC doesn't need to be on to access them.
You will also then need to configure the file sharing so that can be accessed.
Personally I would just buy a NAS and upload files to there that need sharing. That way the PC doesn't need to be on to access them.
A NAS is a little over the top if he just needs to transfer documents and such between computers.
You actually need a router + switch + modem, you obvioulsy already have the modem.
You have a choice of buying a 2-in-1 switch/router or a 3-in-1 switch/router/modem or a single switch and single router etc......
Unless of course you want to use 1 or your PCs as a gateway to the internet which means you would need two NIC on that PC.
You have a choice of buying a 2-in-1 switch/router or a 3-in-1 switch/router/modem or a single switch and single router etc......
Unless of course you want to use 1 or your PCs as a gateway to the internet which means you would need two NIC on that PC.
Last edited:
If all you want to do is network the four computers then yes it's a switch. Not a NAS, not a router, not a modem.
Routers route traffic between other routers. Modems are for internet. Neither is needed in this situation.
A switch has an inbuilt table that contains the information for each port, and so when you send data to another computer it will find it in the table and send it to that port. This is what you need. If speed is of importance to you get gigabit cards for the machines, and a gigabit switch. It would have to be either Cat5e or Cat6 cables though for this.
A switch has an inbuilt table that contains the information for each port, and so when you send data to another computer it will find it in the table and send it to that port. This is what you need. If speed is of importance to you get gigabit cards for the machines, and a gigabit switch. It would have to be either Cat5e or Cat6 cables though for this.
Fixed.
There doesn't necessarily have to be another router in the mix, although in all probability there would be.
Why complicate matters with multiple nics, modems, routers etc... when he has not asked for anything that would require such things.
Once connected together (as covered thoroughly above), 'mapping a network drive' works very well, even between different operating systems. I'd be wary about opening an unprotected share to the root of the c:\ drive if the computer in question does have access to the internet, but I'm the paranoid type.
james
To buy to just share files
just a 4port switch, and 4 ethernet cables long enought to reach it, the switch will need mains power and will be either 100mps speed or 1000 ie gigabit speed (cheap to expenisve)
If you want any or all of those PC's to also access the internet then instead of a switch you buy a router with 4 ethernet ports built in and 4 ethernet patch cables. The type of router depends on how you connect to broadband (adsl or cable types) and if your happy with ethernet cable or want wirelss for one or more of those PC's.
There a wizards in windows to hep you set up file sharing which usually work quite well