Quick question about networking....

[jmsalt1]

OK, I am trying to make sure I understand what equipment I need at my AV Rack to avoid running a new Cat5e or Cat6 run to my router (it is only a 4 port switch and I have two occupied right now) everytime I bring a new piece of equipment on-line as part of my set-up that wants to connect to the internet through the LAN. I know wireless is an option but I prefer to run a line over wireless as it just seems to be more consistent.

I think I can run a single line to a switch (can't post link to the one I was looking at because I don't have enought posts yet) in my AV rack. Is that correct or do I need some other equipment as part of the equasion to avoid expanding somehow at the router itself or being limited to the 2 open ports I have remaining. I'm pretty sure I can run one line to the AV rack but want to make sure I know what equipment I need at the rack. Thanks to anyone that can give me a little advice.

 

[highfigh]

OK, I am trying to make sure I understand what equipment I need at my AV Rack to avoid running a new Cat5e or Cat6 run to my router (it is only a 4 port switch and I have two occupied right now) everytime I bring a new piece of equipment on-line as part of my set-up that wants to connect to the internet through the LAN. I know wireless is an option but I prefer to run a line over wireless as it just seems to be more consistent.

I think I can run a single line to a switch (can't post link to the one I was looking at because I don't have enought posts yet) in my AV rack. Is that correct or do I need some other equipment as part of the equasion to avoid expanding somehow at the router itself or being limited to the 2 open ports I have remaining. I'm pretty sure I can run one line to the AV rack but want to make sure I know what equipment I need at the rack. Thanks to anyone that can give me a little advice.

You can leave the router alone, but if you keep adding more networked equipment, you'll need a workgroup switch. They're relatively inexpensive and if you buy one with 8 ports, it should last a while before you need to upgrade. I'm using a D-Link switch at a house where I installed a music server, AV system and now it has a security camera DVR, so I needed more connections and it's working just fine. The 2nd floor office is where the router is located and that's an Apple Airport Extreme, so it's 802.11n and that should be sufficient for a while.

 

[jmsalt1]

Thanks highfigh. Based on your comments I think I'm on the right path. I have a Linksys router so I was planning to go with the Linksys EG008W Gigabit 8 port switch at my rack. Sounds like that would be a viable solution getting me 7ports at the rack which give me a few for expansion down the road.