Local access only on my switch

[Ruptga]

After some googling I think I know what the problem is, but I'm not 100% sure how this stuff works.

I have a network switch (model des-1105, layer 2) that I'd been using to connect to my school's network, and it had worked for that. But now I'm trying to use it to connect two laptops and an xbox to a cable modem (model sb5120 surfboard) and all I'm getting is "local access." I do get full connectivity when I connect directly from this laptop to the modem.

I think the problem is that I have a switch (layer 2) instead of a router (layer 3), does that sound right?

 

[Jamsan]

Yes, that's correct. Even with just the modem / switch, you should have atleast connectivity from the first client that tries to access the internet.

You'll need a router hooked into the modem and from there, you can hook your existing switch into the router in case you need more access ports that the router has available (typically 4).