Advice on a new router?

We got a new computer for our office, but now we don't have enough ports on our existing router!
We are currently using a Linksys Wireless-N Broadband Router, with 5 ports. We need a minimum of 6. Also, the bosslady would prefer something cost-effective as well. I'm right down the street from a Future Shop, Best Buy, and The Source.
It just needs to do exactly what it's already doing, with one extra port. Is there any such thing as a splitter for a router port, or if so, would that be an okay direction to go? Are they reliable?

Thanks!

 

What you need is an 8 or 16 port switch. The switch connects to the router via a standard network cable and then you connect all the computers to the switch. If you get a gigabit switch you'll actually get a much faster connection between computers (if they also have gigabit network cards), but the same speed internet connection as before.

I'd recommend a netgear switch. They make the best cheap network hardware IMHO. There are cheaper alternatives, but would you really want to hang you business on cheap tack?

Personally I'd go for a 16 port switch. If you go 8 port, you'll only have one spare port on the switch (don't forget that one is used for the connection to the router). 16 ports will give you plenty of spare capacity if you want to add more PCs, a network printer or NAS box.

BTW - it doesn't matter which internal port on the router you use to connect to the new switch.

 

Thanks, I'll pass this info along to the bosslady

 

You can buy a 8/16 port switch GB for for under 100$.

Plug them all into the switch, and leave the other 3 router ports empty (they are only 100mb and will make troubleshooting easier.

ehhh netgear they are awful. But i guess if you want something cheap they will do.