Adding more ports to my connection (how)

FTLOSM · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 04:09 PM

I have comcast cable, a linksys wrt54gs router, it is located in the livingroom feeding a ps3, tivo, a den computer and one wire runs to my back bedroom for this pc.

In this back bedroom I only have that one rj45 wired feed from the router, i wanted to add more ports in this room if possible, one for a 2nd tivo, one for my computer here, one for a network camera and if possible have one available for quick plugin of 2nd computer as needed (repairs or upgrades always in process) pain to swap out everytime from main to 2nd pc.

My question is what is the best way to do this, should I buy a second linksys wrt54gs and feed that one wired line into it to allow more ports in this back bedroom or should I look for a workstation switch like this instead of adding a second router (im sorta lost when it comes to how to do much networking stuff tech wise)

Linksys.com ? Products/Home/Networking/Desktop Switches/EZXS88W

I did try an old netgear RP114 wired router I had here but it didn't support upnp (network camera needed that) and it made my pc connection PAINFULLY slow, so i think something was just "wrong" with that attempt, altho the netgear was 10 yrs old so maybe it couldn't handle what I was trying to do with it.

Just trying to find something that would give this back bedroom wired feed line the ability to split the connection (without being super slow) but that would also support upnp for the network camera, and have a few other ports for the pc, tivo, network camera, and possibly another port or two for future devices?

Or am I asking too much of the internet connection (will doing this bog everything else down).

Bill

owen · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 12:03 AM

If you read the documentation about the switch you have linked to (the documentation is linked on your link), then it tells you a bit more about how it works and the switching technology that enables it to stop your connection speed from grinding to a halt when lots of devices are working at once. I'm not too familiar with UPNP because I've never used it myself, but this is a modern switch that will support all modern standards so I'd guess you shouldn't have any problems.

FTLOSM · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 04:59 AM

Thanks for that reply,

i did end up talking to a neighbor who confirmed not to use a second router but to use a switch, I grabbed one off newegg

Newegg.com - D-Link DGS-2208 10/100/1000Mbps 8-Port Desktop Green Ethernet Switch 8 x RJ45 8K MAC Address Table 144KB per Device Packet Buffer Memory Buffer Memory - Switches

It arrived today, hooked everything up and bam everything was working in about 20 seconds all connections went live and i have 8 ports in this back room now (ok technically 5 open ports available now).

Also since it is a switch not an old non upnp router like I was trying that upnp carried thru fine and I got my webcam up and going fast and easy, I think i even have it working online anyone wanna test it for me?

here is the link...

http://billscam08.viewnetcam.com:500...gle&Language=0

It is just one cam pointed out into my parking lot area, a cheapo $24 clearance wired panasonic BL-C1A netcam (office depot had it in clearance section ymmv) but in daylight it is decent, night is just so so...

in the mornings kids all stand by the mailbox area (far left) at like 7am, and we have had a few issues out there kids jumping the fence to the pool, football throwing (dent in a neighbors car etc) so I wanna see it (camera came with basic recording software) so it saves to my computers hard drive for fast review.

I set up my sprinklers to auto start at 655am and run for 25 mins, that keeps them outta my yard at least hehe.

I did just want to follow up tho for anyone else who reads this and might have a similar question, the switch was the way to go and worked like a charm.

Bill

owen · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 10:03 PM

Glad you got it working! Brilliant. Enjoy your "many ported" connection. I tried your link and it didn't work so I'm presuming you've taken the camera down, it has been quite a few days since you posted it.

FTLOSM · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 03:10 AM

I had to go reset up the camera but the link should work now, we had bad storms the last 2 days thru Mid Michigan and lost our cable tv, phone, and internet and power was spotty for about 24 hrs, so the cam went down due to all that mess.

But the 8 port switch here is jammin and I have lots of ideas for using other available ports here soon.

Bill

owen · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 11:46 AM

Yeah it's working fine now. It's amazing watching live video of a random car park in US, particularly odd since its 11:45 in the morning here. The camera is quite dark though when you first start viewing until you click increase brightness, then it is really clear.