Home Hub + Extra Lan ports

[comports]

Hi Gang,

Perhaps you could point me in the right direction. I have recently gone to the home hub which so far has been good. I have one hard wired PC and now the BT Vision (Freeview box) attached but had to unplug my networked Laser printer as their is only two network ports on the hub.

Is there a way I can get some sort of "Port Expander" on the hub or somewhere else to allow me more hard wired connections..? I have a couple of routers but get really baffled when trying to add them but disable DHCP etc and get conflicts. Am I trying to make it too simple but it would be nice if there was something like a "USB hub" but a Lan Hub type thingy (Technical description )

Many Thanks

 

[jpskiller]

you can get a standard network switch 5/8/16 etc ports, just connect to your router via network cable may need a crossover and thats it for hard wiring

 

[Rory]

I happen to have the Linksys one shown on this page:
http://www.dabs.com/productlist.asp...294960497&CategorySelectedId=11176&PageMode=1

but there are loads of them and any will do what you want.

 

[nimmat]

Yes, you can get Ethernet/Lan hubs very cheap online. PC World and local stores are a bit more expensive but if you dont want to wait then you can get them from there as well. Keep in mind that if you want to network your home in the future for Media centre or the new Windows Home server, then it would be advisable to get a gigabit one rather then the standard 10/100 as Microsoft is still not accepting to fix the Vista network file copy bug

Many hubs may not need a cross over patch cable but it is best to get one just in case. If you dont need it then you can return it back unopened.

Nim

 

[Sp!ke]

Dont get a hub, get a switch, switches are intelligent and .... well they switch, hubs just have data collisions.

No appreciable difference in price unless you go up market.