home networking question

[b4ds33d]

heres the hardware and prospective hardware....

4 pcs
4 xboxs
4 ps2s
-----
prospective hw

couple more pcs
some xbox2s


i need to have the xboxs linked to each other for games like halo/and halo2 and other system link games, same with the ps2 as i want to play gt4 via system link.

the computers need to be in a lan config as id need to play lan games with them.

the xbox and ps2s need to communicate with computers to use programs like xboxconnect and this nifty program to play gt4 on the internet.

the network also needs internet connectivity to use xboxlive, play online games with computer, and play online games with ps2(and future hardware)

i also want to have a "server" computer with movies/music and be alble to stream content to televisions. i already have the media computer, just need to know what id need at each tv to control the functions.

What EXACTLY would i need to purchase? i have some ideas, but since ive never created a network this complex, i figured id ask ppl who know for sure.

 

[abcampa]

To me its quite simple.

Just get a 24 port switch or 32 port for expansion.

Connect it up to your Cable router or whatever internet connection you have and your done.

You will have to use reserved IPs (198 or 10) and only have 1 real ip on your cable router.

I assume the xbox and ps2 will be ok with this type of IP space to get on the internet. Not to sure on console internet requirements.

 

[ktwebb]

That is not complex unless you are just leaving out some details. Answered by adcampa. Just add some switched ports to your existing LAN. Assuming you have a NAT router already.

 

[b4ds33d]

what would i use at each tv to stream media to it? would i have to get a pc for each tv, or is there another soultion?

 

[ktwebb]

Stream to a TV? A tv is just a monitor. Perhaps you mean stream to something like a DVR or something that has a hard drive? Not sure what your talking about. You don't stream to any TV that I know about since TV's are output devices.

 

[Wuzup101]

That's his point... he wants to know how to setup a server and then just stream to his TVs

OP --> you're going to need some sort of media center / pc / etc... there. I believe you could use an xbox for this, but I'm not totally sure. Best bet would be a cheap/older computer for each TV. You could also go with a minimac on each TV...

 

[b4ds33d]

so basically i need a pc @ each tele. there is no other solution? some sort of set top box?

 

[DaiShan]

Streaming media to the TV would require a computer at each TV you would like the media on. There is a way to do this directly with an Xbox, but I don't have one so I don't know exactly what you need to do. You can google it though. Also, bear in mind this will require a lot of wiring and I wouldn't suggest just running the wire along the floor (if you are talking about 20 cable pulls that is a lot to just run through the hall heh)