? two routers in series

Have a cable modem which comes into a router and then goes to 2 computers (one upstairs, one down), both running xp. The system is hardwired.

Would like to add a second computer to the one downstairs; is it possible to use a second router to the downstairs CAT5 outlet, and thus split the signal.

Thanks

 

Why do you need a second Router ?

Why not just plug a cable from the NIC of the second PC into a port on the existing Router ?

I have four PCs hooked up that way and all cna be on line at the same time.

BillyBob

 

Of the two exising PC's, the one upstairs is next to the cable modem and the router. There is only one CAT5 running from upstairs to the 2nd existing computer, which is downstairs. This CAT5 was put in during construction, so to run a 2nd one downstair would be a pain. We were hoping to somehow avoid this when we added the third computer (which will be the second one downstairs).

Hope this makes our question clearer.

TIA

Rudy

 

How far apart are the computers downstairs?

2 ways to do this without pulling more cable thru the wall.

First not a good solution but will work is to put a second NIC in the computer that is connected and run a cable from there to the new computers NIC. Some extra setup and complexity here!

Second (best way) this assumes you have a wall jack that you plug a jumper into.

Only 4 wires are used in cat5 for a connection. So you can purchase 2 spliters for upstairs and downstairs, plug them in the wall 1 upstairs and 1 downstairs and now you have two connectors upstairs and 2 downstairs.

Let us know!

Mike

 

Or you can go wireless on the new machine. Little more expensive than either of Mike's suggestions but should work fine.

 

rudymill,
Get yourself a switch which is 10/100 and each port can handle the 10/100 speed without sharing it. Connect the switch to the RJ-45 connection you want to split and then connect each computer to an open port.
Hope that helps!

 

Rudy

I just rembered the Y - adapter (spliter) will only work with 10baseT or 10base. Check your router/hub/switch to see if it is 10/100. If 10/00 these spliters will not work.

So if a new cable run is out, and you do not want to buy a wireless solution then your only solution is dual network cards in the existing computer and run a cable to the new computers NIC.

That is assuming the computers are very close so that the network cable can be run directly to the new computer.

This solution I would not reccomend in a larger or business enviroment but will be just fine for a home network with 3 stations.

Additionally keep in mind that for the last computer (the new) to work the one that has 2 NIC's will have to be on.

Now if it is never nessesary for both of these to be on at the same time then you could just switch the existing cable between the 2 computers and do no wiring except unplug one from the wall and plug the other in.

To xfer files in this case to either one of these computers since they can not be on at once is to xfer to the one at the router, switch cables then copy back.

You know what you want to do and how you will use these, I only offer options.

Mike

 

Thanks for all the help. Will probably bite the bullet and go with wireless solution.


Rudy

 

Rudy

If you go wireless, buy from some place that has a return policy. When using wireless many factors can influence the signal. House wiring, distance and orientation (up stairs to downstairs etc) other electronics and 2.4 ghz phones.

Plus you will not have full speed.

I did some research and found the 100base Y adapter splitters that I told you about, but these will work with 100. Prior to that I only knew of the 10base. They are $10.00 apiece you will need 2. If your cable is wired straight thru (no wall jacks) then you would also need 2 inline rj45 couplers and 4 short patch cables.

Let me know.

Mike

 

Couldn't you buy a small cheap 5 port switch or hub and plug into the bottom rj45 plug? You could hook up more than 2 pc's downstairs without having to run anymore cable or setup pc's acting as a second gateway for more pc's.

I am quite sure you can plug a switch/hub into another switch/hub without any problems as long it has either an uplink port or you use a crossover cable (or its autosensing, which is cool) this method would save you substantial money as you would only need to purchase a small cheap swtich/hub rather than buying a wireless network adaptor and a wireless access point. Not to mention the speed difference. Plus you wouldn't need to configure anything differently on the pc's, only assign another ip address for the third pc.


Cheers

 

In australia you can buy a 5 port switch for $40 AUD which roughly translates to about $18 or $19 US, pretty cheap really.

 

sorry, wakiababa already suggested it