Network Switch

[BigChimp97]

So i'm thinking of having about 3 friends come round mine to have a LAN party, however, my router is upstairs in my bedroom, and my room is way too small for us all to fit in. I've been told that an Ethernet Switch is the best way to get enough connections downstairs for us to all use and play on. So my question is, what type of Switch would be the best for it - e.g speed, and number of ports? It would be only for gaming online, no file transfers. Would i also need anything else to make it all work?

 

Thanks guys!!

 

EDIT: We may also download a few games (didnt know if that came under file transfers)

[FoxHound]

Can you get a wired connection where you will be? If so all you need is a switch and the cat 5 cable to make it all work. try this (You can get slower ones cheaper as well)

[Flyguygamer]

10-100 is enough for a basic lan. A 5 port switch would be good

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-SF1005D-5-port-100Mbps-Desktop/dp/B000FNFSPY/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1418751457&sr=1-3

[Flyguygamer]

Can you get a wired connection where you will be? If so all you need is a switch and the cat 5 cable to make it all work. try this (You can get slower ones cheaper as well)

For such a basic lan 10-100 is plenty, he said he won't be doing file transfers.

[d3sl91]

So i'm thinking of having about 3 friends come round mine to have a LAN party, however, my router is upstairs in my bedroom, and my room is way too small for us all to fit in. I've been told that an Ethernet Switch is the best way to get enough connections downstairs for us to all use and play on. So my question is, what type of Switch would be the best for it - e.g speed, and number of ports? It would be only for gaming online, no file transfers. Would i also need anything else to make it all work?

 

Thanks guys!!

You will just need a simple 5-8 port switch, like thgis: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127527 Plus a few network cables. One really long one to go upstairs, and 4 shorter ones to plug into the switch downstairs.

 

Pretty much the cheapest you can find will do the trick for 4 guys. If you want to "go all out" get a gigabit switch. 

[BigChimp97]

For such a basic lan 10-100 is plenty, he said he won't be doing file transfers.

If i were to get the 10-100 would that be fine for downloads of games as we may download other games while we play? (Dont know if that comes under file transfers)

[EmeraldFlame]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122128

 

With a switch you are still going to have to run 1 ethernet cord from the router to the switch. But a 5 port is the minimum for you + 3 friends to play (1 port from the router to the switch plus 1 port per persons computer), and really gigabit switches are so cheap, its worthless to buy anything slower. That one specifically has a lifetime warranty and are great switches that you will see nearly everywhere. Check around for sales locally to, I regularly see that exact model online and in local computer stores for $10-20. 

TP-Link also makes good switches that look nearly identical to the netgear ones, they are a little cheaper, but bascially the same build style and quality, you just don't get the lifetime warranty.

[Flyguygamer]

If i were to get the 10-100 would that be fine for downloads of games as we may download other games while we play? (Dont know if that comes under file transfers)

The download of games would be affected by the speed of your internet connection. Unless you get more then 100Mbit download speed then a 10/100 switch is sufficient. 

[BigChimp97]

The download of games would be affected by the speed of your internet connection. Unless you get more then 100Mbit download speed then a 10/100 switch is sufficient. 

Download speed is about 45Mbps, so i suppose a gigabit wouldnt effect it at all thanks

[BigChimp97]

You will just need a simple 5-8 port switch, like thgis: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127527 Plus a few network cables. One really long one to go upstairs, and 4 shorter ones to plug into the switch downstairs.

 

Pretty much the cheapest you can find will do the trick for 4 guys. If you want to "go all out" get a gigabit switch. 

Thanks! I'll probably get an 8 port just incase more people join in.

[Flyguygamer]

Download speed is about 45Mbps, so i suppose a gigabit wouldnt effect it at all thanks

Nope, unless you want to copy files from one pc to another, then a gigabit switch is 10x faster.

 

10/100/1000  Max Theoretical Throughput 125 MB/sec or 1000 Mbit/sec

10/100  Max Theoretical Throughput  12.5 MB/sec or 100 Mbit/sec

[NicekillBG]

Hah i had the same problem .. i needed more holes in my router and my room was more than 15m away so i bough a cheap 10/100 switch and 20m cable and it all worked great. Note that there is a lable which says where to put!

[d3sl91]

Thanks! I'll probably get an 8 port just incase more people join in.

I'd take a look at any second-hand stores you have in your area.

 

I have picked up two 24-port gigabit switches, each less than $15 at our local "Goodwill" second hand store. 

[BigChimp97]

You will just need a simple 5-8 port switch, like thgis: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127527 Plus a few network cables. One really long one to go upstairs, and 4 shorter ones to plug into the switch downstairs.

 

Pretty much the cheapest you can find will do the trick for 4 guys. If you want to "go all out" get a gigabit switch.

Nope, unless you want to copy files from one pc to another, then a gigabit switch is 10x faster.

 

10/100/1000  Max Theoretical Throughput 125 MB/sec or 1000 Mbit/sec

10/100  Max Theoretical Throughput  12.5 MB/sec or 100 Mbit/sec

Just found this for £7!! Seems like it fits the bill perfectly, what do you think?http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000MGBOHA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418753002&sr=8-1π=AC_SX200_QL40

[Flyguygamer]

Just found this for £7!! Seems like it fits the bill perfectly, what do you think?http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000MGBOHA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418753002&sr=8-1π=AC_SX200_QL40

Should be fine. 

[BigChimp97]

Should be fine. 

Just ordered it ahah, needed it by friday, so needed to order it quick! Thanks for the help