Switch/router difference - internet connection - help!

[DaddyHoggy]

Due to the arrival of a new baby I've had to rearrange my house somewhat, lose the study and move my PC downstairs.

The VM cable modem (VM branded NTL250 - 2Mb/s connection) still lives upstairs (due to where it was fitted many years ago). I've run a 20m network cable from the cable modem upstairs to the new space for the PC downstairs. It all works fine.

Then I thought I'd be clever as I've got an XP machine already downstairs that I use as a PVR that has never been connected to the internet (due to the geography of the house).

So, I bought a cheap 2nd hand Netgear FS105 off ebay. The switch works fine, my original internet PC connects to the internet just fine through it. But my PVR (XP), my old laptop (dual boot Feisty Fawn/Win98SE) and my new gaming PC (dual boot Gutsy Gibbon/XP) don't connect to the internet via the switch.

Then a little warning bell went off in my head and the word "router" came into my mind. I've cocked up haven't I? I don't want a switch, I want a router don't I?

If the answer is yes - what do I do? Buy a router and put it upstairs with with the cable modem, connect that to my switch downstairs (through the 20m ethernet cable) and then connect all my PCs downstairs to the switch?

Any recommendations for a router? Emphasis on cheap (but good, if you know what I mean).

Apologies if I come across as a bit of a numpty - I'm not new to PCs but I am new to networking!

Cheers,

DaddyH

[Sybex9]

Originally Posted by DaddyHoggy

Due to the arrival of a new baby I've had to rearrange my house somewhat, lose the study and move my PC downstairs.

The VM cable modem (VM branded NTL250 - 2Mb/s connection) still lives upstairs (due to where it was fitted many years ago). I've run a 20m network cable from the cable modem upstairs to the new space for the PC downstairs. It all works fine.

Then I thought I'd be clever as I've got an XP machine already downstairs that I use as a PVR that has never been connected to the internet (due to the geography of the house).

So, I bought a cheap 2nd hand Netgear FS105 off ebay. The switch works fine, my original internet PC connects to the internet just fine through it. But my PVR (XP), my old laptop (dual boot Feisty Fawn/Win98SE) and my new gaming PC (dual boot Gutsy Gibbon/XP) don't connect to the internet via the switch.

Then a little warning bell went off in my head and the word "router" came into my mind. I've cocked up haven't I? I don't want a switch, I want a router don't I?

If the answer is yes - what do I do? Buy a router and put it upstairs with with the cable modem, connect that to my switch downstairs (through the 20m ethernet cable) and then connect all my PCs downstairs to the switch?

Any recommendations for a router? Emphasis on cheap (but good, if you know what I mean).

Apologies if I come across as a bit of a numpty - I'm not new to PCs but I am new to networking!

Cheers,

DaddyH

I would personally invest in a Linksys Router, and depending on how you want to go, either wireless or wired, I think you would be best going for the Linksys wrt54G as this would be ideal for if you ever want to go wireless.

[cleshe]

Originally Posted by Sybex9

I would personally invest in a Linksys Router, and depending on how you want to go, either wireless or wired, I think you would be best going for the Linksys wrt54G as this would be ideal for if you ever want to go wireless.

Yes you need a router, not a switch. When you get one,use your long lead to connect the router instead of the switch.The switch will come in handy if you want to connect more than four devices.Connect the first three, plus the switch, the rest to the switch. If you only have 4 to connect, resell the switch!
As a matter of interest, what speed are you on? if you are on the top layer, I believe that Virgin will now supply a router on request.On the other tiers, it's probably as cheap or cheaper to buy one.I just bought a D-Link DKT-110 kit from PC World for £35, which includes a wireless adaptor which would allow connection of one of your computers, but not an XBox, and save using the switch maybe.
It works ok for me, and was easy to set up. Best of luck whichever you decide.

[Tali]

I think your plan of router upstairs and switch downstairs would work.

OR if you've got 4 or less PCs you could just put the router at the end of the 20m cable downstairs and do away with the switch (unless I've missed something in your post).

[MovedGoalPosts]

This article helps explain networking kit layout http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/94...em-router.html

[DaddyHoggy]

Thanks everybody for the speedy and helpful replies. To quickly answer "Tall" quickly - I actually have two FS105s before I realised I'd need the router the plan was to put one switch upstairs and connect my daughters PC to it (plus have a few spare sockets so I could connect my laptop upstairs if I wanted to). What I'll do now is get a router and put that upstairs and leave the switch downstairs where I will connect all my downstairs PCs - that'll leave me a switch to sell and recoup some of my router purchase cost.

@Rob - I did search the Forum before posting for just this kind of info - it's exactly what I wanted, it just didn't come up in my search. Thanks for linking to it.

I will let you know how I get on!

Cheers,

DaddyH