Very easy network question

[Goatboy]

I know next to nothing about networks. Have a router that connects to a PC and a media player in the lounge via wired.

If I wanted additional networked items in the lounge what would I need?

running another (25 metre) cable to the room is not an option.

 

[Avalon]

CAT5 cable from router to the new PC, if you've run out of LAN ports then you need a switch with an uplink port. Infact if you plan on running multiple PC's in the other room a small switch may be a good plan.... eg I have a 4 port router, hooked up to a 16 port switch with a number of devices plugged in to it one long cable run going through to the lounge where I have a number of low bandwidth items plugged into a 100mbit switch (xbox, media centre, access point or anything i'm upgrading/rebuilding).

 

[Uhtred]

is the router in the lounge? If not, put a switch in as above

 

[Duke]

I'm guessing the router is with the PC. If so, you just need a desktop switch, which uplinks using the current cable back to the router. You then just plug in any items in the lounge into the new switch (which will go back and talk to the router).

 

[Goatboy]

I thought it was a switch I needed but couldn't find a basic enough explanation it would definitely be what I need.

My PC/modem/router are located in the kitchen with a cable running to the lounge for the network player. I may get a console at some point in the lounge so wanted to make sure I could connect it to the same cable which it seems I can.

edit: Thanks, the answers here covered what I thought was the case

 

[Werewolf]

yup, just put a switch in the lounge
I don't think you'd even need an uplink port with modern switches when connecting them to the switch on the router (and even if the switch/router doesn't automatically allow for the fact they are being connected a crossover cable should do the job).

 

[tolien]

I don't think you'd even need an uplink port with modern switches when connecting them to the switch on the router

More to the point, good luck finding a switch with an uplink port. Pretty much every switch for the last umpteen years has been autosensing.

It might be worth noting that everything is going to be using the 100Mbps from the switch to the router's switch port, so if you're caning it playing media you might have problems.

 

[Werewolf]

I think my 6 year old SMC switch isn't autosensing (but is so much more reliable than the belkin i'm using in one room*)

I vaguely remember when autosensing used to be a bonus that cost more, i guess these days it's a part of the basic standard chips used in them.




*and a much better build - metal casing as opposed to cheap toy plastic