Types of ports in routers

[Guest Big Sky]

I've been interested in getting a switch for my network as I am running out

of ports on my wireless router. I even have a Belkin wired router

downstream that has the DHCP turned off so it can work as a hub (switch?).

I've read about the inherent advantages of a switch versus a hub. But I was

wondering, does a wireless router (lower level DLink G) have a built in hub

or a switch? I can't find it in my documentation. It just says it has 4

10/100 ports. If its a hub, perhaps it would be better to run all my

computers into a switch with a single connection to the router. Then my

computers would get better speed for gaming, accessing shared files, etc.

Of course they'd all be sharing the single link to the router for web

access.

 

If a switch is the way to go, I'm also hoping for some advice on brands. I

see stuff about buffer memory and other characteristics but don't know what

I should be looking for.

I've considered moving to gigabit LAN but don't know if the speed up for

gaming/file sharing is worth the cost of buying new 5 NICs and switch.

 

I'm a mid level computer user but haven't done much study of networking so

sorry if this is a neophyte question.

 

Thanks much,

 

BigSky

 

 

 

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[Guest Big Sky]

Re: Types of ports in routers

 

***UPDATE***

 

I have at D Link DI-524. The only thing the documentation

says is that it has auto sensing ports to detect the kind of cable attached.

 

I didn't think gigabit would offer me much unless I decided to use my LAN

for backups. I do have a small NAS on my LAN but it's pretty slow for using

for backups. I mostly have my music files, photos, and some DivX movies on

it for sharing with all the computers on my LAN.

 

I currently have my DSL modem attached to the D Link wireless router. I

have 2 PCs and the NAS attached to the router in one room with a 3rd PC I

need to add (possible file server and Snapstream server for TV). The fourth

port connects downstream to a Belkin router with DHCP disabled so it works

as a switch/hub (?) in another room. I have 2 computers attached to the

Belkin that are used primarily for gaming. I have one notebook and one PC

attached wirelessly to the D Link router. I don't have enough ports on the

wireless router so am wondering what the best approach would be to add ports

and improve LAN perfomance. I was planning to just get a 10/100 switch to

put all 3 PCs on in the first room and then connect to the D Link router

with the NAS connecting directly to the router. Eventually, one of these

PCs will also become a 3rd PC for gaming with the 2 PCs downstream of the

Belkin device. I don't know if its better to use the Belkin as a wired

router in the first room and put the D Link in the second room as an access

point and switch/hub for the two gaming computers or just leave as is and

add the switch into the first room. I don't know if there is any difference

in routing capability between the D Link and the Belkin F5D5231. Any

thoughts?

 

Thanks,

 

Big Sky

 

 

 

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