Networking - Printer, Additional Computers, Storage. What solution?

[PlacidCasual]

Hi Guys

I have a wireless cable router downstairs to distribute my Virgin connection around the house. At present I have 2 laptops which are connected wirelessly and one desktop upstairs connected by ethernet cable as I couldn't get a reliable connection with a PCI adaptor.

I'm in the process of setting up a small office upstairs where the desktop is. My girlfriend however will need to use her laptop in the office during the day and I'll game on the desktop at night.
As part of the office setup I've got a cheap USB multi-function printer. I'm also considering getting a large external USB hard drive to act as back up for all the different PC's. In addition I have a second desktop that I'd like to have available which I would KVM with the girlfriends work laptop.

Still with me?

So I have one network connection to the office room. I want to be able to run 2-3 PC's via wired connection and 2 USB devices (both I want accessible over the network). I don't really want to use a PC permanently on as a USB hub.

What solutions are available? I've seen networked USB hubs (£50+ ish) and I've seen network switches (£9 upwards depending on brand) which would probably work together. Is there a single device combining USB and network connections out there?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[samuria]

You need a switch these are normally 4 port or 6 port a switch is different than a hub as it stops network traffic going across all ports. A hub would do but not as good. You plug your internet connection into one port and the pc's into the others.
You share the printer so everyone can print to it (the pc its attached to has to be on) the hard drive is the same plug it into a pc and share the drive.