[tomthedrummer1992]

Couple of networking questions.
Currently at home we have a modem/router which is in dad’s office. Pretty standard ADSL in 4 Ethernet outputs. 3 of these connect to computers in dads office. The fourth goes into a socket in the wall, this then in turn goes into the family room. In the family room it plugs into our Linksys “Wireless Broadband Router”, which inputs Ethernet and outputs 4 ethernet channels and wireless. It has the family computer and my bro’s Xbox 360 hardwired into it.

At the moment in my room I have a desktop and a laptop however I shall soon be purchasing another laptop. I would love to network them all together, however it doesn’t always work and getting them to see one another can be very tricky, especially after one of the other or both have been turned off. So I came up with a plan:

Could I buy an Ethernet switch which has 5 Ethernet sockets on it, connecting up my desktop and (at the mo) 1 laptop into it to give them a direct connection. However, would it need some form of Internet input or could I just use the wireless for the computers access to the internet. So basically form a direct connection.

Also, would I be able to link my PS2 up to the switch, and get that to connect to the internet THROUGH my desktop wireless.

Or do I need to connect the switch up to the Internet.

I hope that makes sense – networking is not my strong point!!!!

What I'm thinking, is making my desktop a server which will mean all other other computers on the switch will go through the desktop.

Or would I be better off bridging the wireless and the LAN into the switch on the desktop?


Thanks



Tom

[serverguy]

I'm totally confused

First it sounds as if you are what is known as double Natted, meaning you have one cheapy router / modem going through another cheapy modem / router.

I am surprised this even works.

What is more likely is that the second router is just acting as a switch / wireless access point.

But what you are trying to do sounds way too complicated.

I shall make you a diagram of what I would suggest for you to ponder over. I'll have it in a few minutes.

[serverguy]

See below.

[tomthedrummer1992]

The router in dads offive is a speedtouch one with an ADSL input and 4 ethernet outputs.

The wireless broadband router is a Linksys one which has ethernet in to supply the Internet, wireless and 4 ethernet outputs also.