Switches and routers expand your ability to hardwire devices in
your home network. While a router has the capability of a network
switch, it only provides limited expansion and you easily add switches
to create additional ports.
Connect the router
The router serves as the brains of your network. Since routers
provide dynamic IP addresses for all of your devices, you want the
router at the head of the network. Connect it directly to your modem
using an Ethernet cable.
Power up the router
Plug in the router, and give it a few minutes to warm up and
initialize. During this time, it collects your IP address from your
broadband service. You only get one IP address from most broadband
providers, but having a router assign other IP addresses allows you to
simultaneously connect several devices.
Calculate your network needs
Count up how many devices you need to hardwire with Ethernet
cables. A router usually gives you four additional ports. You get to
purchase switches with a variety of capacities, including small,
four-port switches or larger, consumer-grade switches with 64 jacks.
Choose the correct switch layout
Now that you know how many devices you need to accommodate, get
switches that accommodate the layout. Just because you need 16 jacks
doesn't mean you need a 16-port switch. You possibly get more
convenience if you purchase two switches with eight ports each and
locate them in different areas of your network.
Connect the switch to the router
Use an Ethernet cable to connect a vacant port from the back of
the router to a vacant port on the switch. It doesn't matter which port
you use on the switch, but you possibly have an easier time remembering
which cable leads to the router if you use the first port. You are able
to connect more than one switch to the router and you also are able to
connect a switch to another switch, as long as the original switch is
connected to the router.
Plug your devices into the switches
With a connection made from the router to the switch, all of the
switch ports are now live and ready for connectivity. Use Ethernet
cables to connect all of your computers, laptops, media streamers,
televisions or other devices with available Ethernet jacks. Your network
is now complete.
Switches allow for the simple expansion of network capability,
but they don't manage or assign IP addresses. A router handles IP
address management along with many other functions, but the right
combination of switches and routers adds Ethernet ports to your home
network quickly and easily.
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