Extra ports on router needed

[Anonymous]

I have an O2 wireless box 5 with 4 ports. These are wired to a desktop PC, my Sonos bridge, my smart tv and my Sky digibox. I am intending to install a remote controlled central heating system which requires a further port. Now I know I could connect some of these devices wirelessly but I want the relability of a wire connection. I rang O2 help to ask if the company could recommend a 6 or 8 port router, and for the first time in the 3 years I have dealt with O2 I was disappointed in the response, which was that there was no advice except with respect to providing router settings. I don't want to buy a router and then find there are compatability issues. I have seen a D-Link DIR-632 Wireless N Router 300Mbps 10/100 8 Port USB 2.0 for a reasonable price. Does anyone know if this would work OK?

[sheepdog]

I think you could just get away with a basic network switch and a standard ethernet cable. That way, you just need one port and another plug socket with bonus being that you don't actually need the switch in the same room. Just a rather long ethernet cable between the two. 

[Liquid]

I currently have my virgin media box running with a seperate switch (too much wiring)

If you turn the wireless off and aquire a larger switch box you could run the secondary box as an add on to the orginal box therefore it would be compatable.

You'd only be using the O2 box to connect to the server then a separate box to link it all up to the router.

I reccomend netgear stuff or if you want cheap and cheerful try linksy stuff.

[Anonymous]

Hi - let me be clear - you are proposing connecting a switch (eg Netgear FS105 Prosafe 5 Port Fast Ethernet Unmanaged Switch @ £22) between the exisiting wireless router and two (or more) of the connected devices, in effect extending the connectivity of the router? That is a cheaper option than buying the Lynksis 8 port wireless router and much cheaper than the Netgear 8 ports which look over specified for my needs. Running the switch into a different room has its attractions as my wife easily gets stressed by any suggestion of a proliferation of cables; I could run the CH controller and my desktop PC in the upstairs office from the switch. Currently the ethernet cable from PC to router runs past the CH boiler.

[Liquid]

Indeed. I have a so called "smart" switch between my main computer and my number crunching "server" as only one is active at the same time it happily switches one off one on so you always have connection when needed.

I believe you can get switches that will split the connection to run multiple devices simultaneously. However I do not believe the O2 router to be capable of this.(could be wrong)

How much further do you believe to expand? If this would be your last update to the network then you'll be fine with a switch. If you plan on adding even more into the network then it may be worth spending the money now and getting a router with greater number of cat ports.

now I could be wrong here so feel free to correct me. It's unlikely you'd be using both your smart tv and sonos bridge simultaniously would you? Or are they used together for a surround experience? If the former I believe you'd be best putting the switch between those two. I do not imagine the boiler to enjoy switching on and off through a switch as they tend to be temperamental at basic level let alone a smart one (should have a dedicated line).

[Anonymous]

Hi thanks for that advice. It is quite possible that Sonos and Sky catchup could be required simultaneously (Sonos runs in the dining room, main TV in the sitting room), but highly unlikely that both iPlayer on Smart tv and Sky catchup on the digibox would run at the same time. However there is a slight risk of cable proliferation in putting them into the switch but nothing that can't be handled I think. As for future proofing, who knows? 12 months ago I had just bought Sonos and only two of the router ports were in use. I couldn't imagine that expandability would be an issue....

[Liquid]

Sonos is a brilliant invention such clear sound:)

Unfortunately I don't own a smart tv so I'm unsure if they'd throw a fit not having a dedicated connection. I guess before deciding you could just use the switch next to the router for a while and decide which set up of different devices causes you the least(or nill) hassle:)

You could always opt for a gigabyte switch and the appropriate cabling (shouldn't be much more) then at least any issues can only be down to the speed of O2 service:) can't imagine you'd need too much bandwidth but the age old proverb of better to be safe than sorry could save you a few pounds:)

I think the largest hassle you'd have with this method is the connection time between switching appliance. The switch will be near enough instantaneous but you may experience an issue where because the skybox will still be pushing for data the switch may not allow the swap to the smart tvs line. Of course once the appliance realises it has a connection it may have a delay in regaining service. Only trial and error can solve this unfortunatly.