What is this thing and how do I use it

[HPWebcamAble]

In my basement, I've got this:

http://imgur.com/a/Z2GLo

 

It's a mess. I know, I didn't set it up.

 

I want to connect a computer to the internet. It will live in the basement (as a server)

It doesn't have wifi, so it needs to plug into something in the picture.

 

The Verizon Router (highlighted in red) already has four things plugged into it. It only has four ports.

 

The black strip (highlighted in green) has two cables from the Verizon Router going into it (see pictures)

What is the black strip? I assume it's some kind of network switch.

But plugging the computer into it (slot 3, to be exact) didn't work. The computer couldn't access the internet.

 

 

How do I connect another computer to this setup?

[Samfisher]

It's a switch board.  3 and 4 goes to it and that's it?  Kinda weird if it leads to nowhere,

[MblaZe7run]

Looks like a patch panel.. Can't clearly tell in the picture. I'd have to know more about the setup to know if just plugging into that would be a viable solution. Shouldn't hurt to try that though!

[HPWebcamAble]

2 minutes ago, Samfisher said:

It's a switch board.  3 and 4 goes to it and that's it?  Kinda weird if it leads to nowhere,

The back of it has a bunch of wires coming out, as you can see in the top left of the picture

 

2 minutes ago, MblaZe7run said:

Looks like a patch panel.. Can't clearly tell in the picture. I'd have to know more about the setup to know if just plugging into that would be a viable solution. Shouldn't hurt to try that though!

Plugged the computer into slot 3, no dice.

[Belgiangurista]

What you need is a switch. 

 

- Unplug one cable from the Verizon router. 

- Put in a patch cable in the verizor routers free slot, run it to your switch

- You have 4 extra UTP connections free on the switch

 

picture of the setup: http://sw.nohold.net/Linksys/Images/kb22996-002_en_v3.png

[HPWebcamAble]

6 minutes ago, Belgiangurista said:

What you need is a switch. 

Is the black strip not a switch?

 

I do have another router I can do this with, but I'd prefer to use the components that are already there if I can.

[Theguywhobea]

26 minutes ago, HPWebcamAble said:

In my basement, I've got this:

http://imgur.com/a/Z2GLo

 

It's a mess. I know, I didn't set it up.

 

I want to connect a computer to the internet. It will live in the basement (as a server)

It doesn't have wifi, so it needs to plug into something in the picture.

 

The Verizon Router (highlighted in red) already has four things plugged into it. It only has four ports.

 

The black strip (highlighted in green) has two cables from the Verizon Router going into it (see pictures)

What is the black strip? I assume it's some kind of network switch.

But plugging the computer into it (slot 3, to be exact) didn't work. The computer couldn't access the internet.

 

 

How do I connect another computer to this setup?

Do you have TV through Verizon as well? It might be going to some set top boxes or something.

[Belgiangurista]

no, it's a patch panel. 

 

it's installed by electricians to run UTP cables more aesthetically.

Every number on the black strip/patch panel corresponds with an ethernet port in the house.

 

for example:

1: Living room

2: Kitchen

3: Bedroom

4: Bedroom 2 

....etc. it only causes an extra connection and abit of speedloss... but it's "eye pleasing" all the cables out of the house don't come in one big web of cables, but in a fancy patch panel...

[Belgiangurista]

yeh the router will do... makes more ethernet exits but ... you said you wanted to run a server. So the router creates a new network ...... I don't see this end well   

[HPWebcamAble]

48 minutes ago, Belgiangurista said:

no, it's a patch panel.

....etc. it only causes an extra connection and abit of speedloss... but it's "eye pleasing" all the cables out of the house don't come in one big web of cables, but in a fancy patch panel...

Just asked my Dad, he said the same thing. He had no idea what it does, but he knew it was a patch panel

After a bit of googling, it seems to be useless to me. Sure, more 'eye pleasing', but have you seen the other side of the panel?

 

Turns out I can unplug something from the Verizon Router. It isn't needed anymore.

 

47 minutes ago, Belgiangurista said:

yeh the router will do... makes more ethernet exits but ... you said you wanted to run a server. So the router creates a new network ...... I don't see this end well   

Long story short... I have this setup already, but in my room. It hasn't been issue free, but it generally works.

(See this topic where I had to troubleshoot some issues with it)