Small Network (advice needed)

[helprequired]

I'm setting up 5 computers which will be used to connect to the internet. This is for a charity and what would be the best way to approach this? just looking for advice. The Router that is installed will connect only 4 wired connections, or would it worth investing in USB Wi-Fi and set up a wireless network?

 

[ch33zw1z]

If wiring all 5 is a possibility, go with a switch. You would plug a switch into one of the 4 lan ports, leaving 3 lan ports and the new switch ports to use.

https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=5+port+gigabit+switch&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[helprequired]

If wiring all 5 is a possibility, go with a switch. You would plug a switch into one of the 4 lan ports, leaving 3 lan ports and the new switch ports to use.

https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=5+port+gigabit+switch&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Thanks, it would be 5 computers plus a printer so 6 ports would be needed. They seem cheap enough as well for the charity which is a bonus. Are they easy enough to set up?

 

[lif_andi]

I think for your purposes, and with the router protecting the network, an unmanaged switch should be fine, and there would be no setup other than pluggin it in, and plugging the Ethernet cables in. That's it. The router for the most part should already be set up, so minimum user interaction required.

 

[helprequired]

I think for your purposes, and with the router protecting the network, an unmanaged switch should be fine, and there would be no setup other than pluggin it in, and plugging the Ethernet cables in. That's it. The router for the most part should already be set up, so minimum user interaction required.

Thank you.

 

[notposting]

Also, for the kind of switch you are talking here, cost would be in the range of $20-30 most likely. Probably wise to just grab an 8-port one while you are at it, get one that is Gb capable, and they will be all set for any future expansion as well (couple extra ports on switch, plus few extra on router).

 

[mammador]

Simply get a small switch.

or be proactive and get a 16 or 24 port switch. it will at least cover potential nodes.

 

[mammador]

I think for your purposes, and with the router protecting the network, an unmanaged switch should be fine, and there would be no setup other than pluggin it in, and plugging the Ethernet cables in. That's it. The router for the most part should already be set up, so minimum user interaction required.

he may need to assign statically IPs, but DHCP may be OK for now.

 

[ch33zw1z]

he may need to assign statically IPs, but DHCP may be OK for now.

You need to clarify what you mean. The switch won't have any affect on DHCP, DHCP requests will still go to the router.

If you're saying that more nodes means the DHCP range may need to be increased to handle more nodes, then yes...assigning static IP's outside the range would work fine as well.