What hardware would I need to do this?

[Nocturnal]

I fix computers for a living and I have a router that shares four ports. Basically I want to get something so that I can have more connections/computers hooked up to the net.

Would I need another router and go from one port on the router to the next router and share it like that to get six total connections?

Is there an easier way to do this? Would a hub work? Like would the router give out IPs to the hub so that I could get online that way?

 

[imported_Kensai]

Throw a switch to chain onto the router.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You can connect a hub to one of the ports on a router.

The router technically doesn't assign IP addresses, it is the DHCP server (Google) that the router box is also running on top of its routing functions.

The DHCP server can hand out IP addresses to ports on the hub just the same as for ports on the router.

Depending on the hub, you might need a crossover cable to connect it, but many hubs have an "uplink" port or button that crosses the wires inside the hub so you can use a standard cable.

 

[Nocturnal]

Ok, so I won't have to manually go in to each computer I connect other than the four to assign the ip addresses to? Reason I ask is I fix computers and these computers will never see me again after I'm through and it's a little time consuming to go in to each unit and manually assign the ip address.

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Q: Ok, so I won't have to manually go in to each computer I connect other than the four to assign the ip addresses to?

A; The DHCP server can hand out IP addresses to ports on the hub just the same as for ports on the router.

 

[Nocturnal]

Would it be better to get a switch or a hub?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Would it be better to get a switch or a hub?

A switch is only worth paying extra for if you will be doing large amounts of data transfer between 2 PCs connect to it. Then the switch could separate / isolate that traffic from other traffic.

If not, if there is much price difference just get a hub.

 

[NuroMancer]

Personally I go switch, but thats because for me a hub and a switch are pretty much the same money.

But Like Dave said if you have lots of data transfer then go switch forsure; so if you backup someones pc over the network, get a switch.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
Personally I go switch, but thats because for me a hub and a switch are pretty much the same money.

But Like Dave said if you have lots of data transfer then go switch forsure; so if you backup someones pc over the network, get a switch.

Up here. Switches are cheaper than hubs.

 

[pulsedrive]

Frankly get a switch they are the same price as hubs these days and they are more effecient at what they do. Also if you want to get so technical about the DHCP, then really those four ports on the back of the router are a switch not part of the router. A true roouter only has one ethernet port out on it to go to a switch, most retail routers simply have a built in 4 port switch.

 

[Nocturnal]

Yeah I realized that lol. Thus the name "Linksys router With 4 port switch"