If I'm networking my house will for media streaming will any old switch or hub work. Previously I've just used the router on the modem but that's only got 4 ports whereas I need 8. I've seen some cheap "switch / hubs" on Ebay but only the back is shown in the photo:



So if I want to connect 8 sockets and have a cable from the modem do I then need a 9 way (Ie a 10 way cos I don't think they do 9 ways) or will this have a socket on the side for the modem- reason I ask is the last wireless router I got was advertised as "4 way" but in fact had 4 LANS and a port for the cable from the moden.

I'm well confused

Actually I think I might need a router because I want everything on the network to be able to access the internet...

You'd struggle to get an 8-port router, you should be able to plug a switch straight into the router to make everything able to connect to the internet.

You want a switch rather than a hub, especially for streaming media, switches are more clever and know which addresses are on which ports - hubs make a lot of broadcast traffic.

As for whether that one's any good - no idea. I've been using a cheapy-cheap one at home for ages with no problems, don't really use that for streaming media tho. Something like a netgear would be fine if your budget will stretch that far - also, try and get gigabit if you can.

HTH


Vince

Aha! so I can just use all but one of the sockets on the router modem and then take the last one to a switch and carry on from there? I got confused when I read on another forum that a switch can't connect directly to a cable modem and has to be connected to a computer with two network cards (one for itself, one for the switch). Sounds very strange....

I have brought an xtreamer, for HD media streaming, links directly to my tv via a hdmi, the box itself has a wireless adapter, so no wires running to my router etc.

I have got an iphone app to control it as a remote.

You are able to insert a hard drive for extra storage. And its plays everything I have thrown at it. Links to you tube etc, or just play stuff from other network drives.

I would recommend one. I paid just over £100 for it.

LINK

quote:

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Originally posted by m8kwr
I have brought an xtreamer, for HD media streaming, links directly to my tv via a hdmi, the box itself has a wireless adapter, so no wires running to my router etc.

I have got an iphone app to control it as a remote.

You are able to insert a hard drive for extra storage. And its plays everything I have thrown at it. Links to you tube etc, or just play stuff from other network drives.

I would recommend one. I paid just over £100 for it.

LINK

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plug in a cheap 8 port switch and plug into your modem.

Try get a managed switch to secure what info goes out to the internet.

media centres can be a massive vulnerability when connected to the net.

http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=22604&tid=gsearch

something like that will do the job but you need to ensure your router is secure for what ports are open etc.

dave j
cissp

quote:

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Originally posted by jossey
plug in a cheap 8 port switch and plug into your modem.

Try get a managed switch to secure what info goes out to the internet.

media centres can be a massive vulnerability when connected to the net.

http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=22604&tid=gsearch

something like that will do the job but you need to ensure your router is secure for what ports are open etc.

dave j
cissp

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Get a class 3 Switch and set up Vlans and Routes. Good 24 port ones on Eblag 40 - 100 quid.

quote:

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Originally posted by mad4x4
Get a class 3 Switch and set up Vlans and Routes. Good 24 port ones on Eblag 40 - 100 quid.

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Ye that ones unmanaged but will do if u manage your ports properly.

quote:

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Originally posted by BenB

quote:

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Originally posted by jossey
plug in a cheap 8 port switch and plug into your modem.

Try get a managed switch to secure what info goes out to the internet.

media centres can be a massive vulnerability when connected to the net.

http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=22604&tid=gsearch

something like that will do the job but you need to ensure your router is secure for what ports are open etc.

dave j
cissp

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Presumably that one's unmanaged cos it's cheap?

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