Simple wired network question

[Eeezee]

Right now, there are 3 computers in my apartment and 1 router + switch.

Ideally, one computer is in the main room (entertainment PC) and the other 2 are in a back room (gaming rigs, in a room that would be PERFECT for a LAN party).

The cable modem is next to the entertainment PC, so we placed the router there. So basically, the router is connected to the cable modem, the entertainment PC, and the switch. The switch is connected to the router via a long cat5 cable, and the switch is in the back room with the other 2 PCs. I'm using one of the computers on the switch right now, so it's at least working with a static IP.

Questions:

1) Is there any way for me to view/change the settings on my switch? It's a Zonet ZFS3008 8-port switch. The router is a 4-port Linksys. Does the switch have an IP address that I can access?

2) Can I enable DHCP on the computers connected to the switch? I have the 3 computers on 192.168.1.100/101/102 right now, but it'd be nice to bring in a laptop on DHCP (the router's DHCP range goes from 150-200).

3) How much more lag will I experience for the computers on a switch/router combo instead of just the router? Shouldn't an increase in lag be minimal or unnoticeable? I haven't noticed any problems so far, but I just hooked it up this morning and haven't really tried out the connection that much.

 

[JackMDS]

Your Switch is a transparent device you can consider the computers that are connected to the Switch as though they are connected directly to the Router.

Set the computers TCP/IP properties to auto and it will get an IP from the Router?s DHCP.

In theory the Router and the switch introduce a lag of few hundreds Microseconds.

In reality, it is None, unless you are the kind of guy that the knowledge that there are devices connected in the way makes you anxious and as a result, you ?FEEL? that your computer is sluggish.

:sun:

 

[Eeezee]

Rock on, thanks a bunch. Haven't noticed any difference in lag after putting in the switch =)