Ethernet help please

[ViolentJ]

We've got a Sky Wired/Wireless Netgear Router that only has 2 ports, both of which are tanken (mine and Mrs's pc's). Mrs also uses a wireless laptop.

I'm looking at getting an ethernet printer but obviously have no ports spare. What do I need to buy to give myself more ports? Could the laptop print to it wirelessly with it being on the network?

 

[KDF]

either a hub or a switch (preferably switch) will do, and yes she should be able to print wireless.

 

[ViolentJ]

I've got one of these doing nothing in the cupboard, could I connect that to the existing router and then the 2 pc's and printer to it or is it overkill?
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=3220522279B03

 

[Aluco]

Could you not just swap your netgear router for that so you have 8 ports ?

Then again in your house I'd be tempted to go wireless just to stop any Beasts chewing through the cables...

 

[KDF]

You probably can use the linksys router and a simple switch, but you would need to reconfigure some stuff on the router to get it to work as there may be conflicts (dhcp servers etc) I can't remember if the linksys can be set to do just switch duties..

 

[ViolentJ]

Sky don't give out the username and password so short of trying to unlock the router which is sometimes fatal I have no way of knowing it which means I can't replace the router with a non Sky one.

I've just gone through Linksys tech support and apparently turning off DHCP on the Linksys turns it into just a switch. So I've connected it up and done that and right now that's how I'm online so I guess it works.

 

[ViolentJ]

Grr the Linksys just died. Lovely smell of burning.

Would this do? http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NGR-745141

 

[Icarus83]

If you want to get into the router the passwords are available for Sky Routers on the net....try a google search for yours! Just do a command prompt ipconfig /all and note the default gateway IP address, then type that into ie/firefox.......followed by the default login details.

Default for mine was (Sky branded Sagem 4 port and wireless) Login: Admin, Password: Sky

As for more ports, just get yourself a second hand router or old switch (that doesnt set fire to itself :rasp: and if neccessary to stop conflicts/confusion, disable the wifi) or any broadband modem (new or secondhand) with an inbuilt router should connect to the ISP on your phoneline and work fine.

Other options are wireless print server module, connects to your wifi and printers ethernet/USB port (not sure on the configuration tho).........

 

[ViolentJ]

I think you misunderstood. I can access the router but Sky do not tell you the authentication details, they are apparently embedded into the router and the only way to locate them is to unlock it which carries a risk. So if I bought a new modem/router and plugged it in I wouldn't be able to authenticate.

If a £15 netgear switch will do the what I want why would I buy a new modem/router anyway?

 

[Mike_182]

Exactly - just buy a cheapie switch. Got one here you can have for the postage... In fact I'm not even too far from you!

 

[H182]

Strange, I thought all sky routers had 4 ports? Yes that switch u posted will work fine.

 

[ViolentJ]

It's got 4 on the back. I've lost the manual but I seem to recall it saying the blue and green were reserved for sky services of some kind. The yellow ones are for connecting to pc's of which there's 2.

What's the switch you've got Mike?

 

[Mike_182]

I've got several of various brands - think I've got a 5-port Netgear or Linksys somewhere.

 

[ViolentJ]

I'm just after a decent one that works. Where in the midlands are you?

 

[Mike_182]

Work in Birmingham, sleep in Derby...

 

[iain187]

Grr the Linksys just died. Lovely smell of burning

Did you stack your units on top of each other? I think that can cause them to blow for some reason im not too sure of

 

[KDF]

Did you stack your units on top of each other? I think that can cause them to blow for some reason im not too sure of

Most decent routers are designed for stacking so I doubt that was the peroblem.

 

[ViolentJ]

I didn't stack it, it was sat on my desk on it's lonesome. Not to worry I'll order a new switch when I order the printer.

 

[ViolentJ]

Just want to thank everyone for the help.

My spangley new netgear platinum switch arrived today and works a treat. I've now got network printing on a spangley new lexmark all-in-one