I have a Netgear Rangemax Wireless Router, WPN824, that allows 4 wired connections from computers or other networkable devices. I have 3 computers and a networked HP printer connected to the router. I need to be able to connect 2 more items in the very near future.
I also have a Belkin 4-port cable/DSL Gateway Router. Can I plug computers and printers into the Belkin router and plug the Belkin Router into one of the 4 network connections on the Netgear Router? Or do I have to buy a network switch?
Thanks for any help with this.

TJ

Since you said you need to connect two more items anyway, you should definitely add a switch. You wouldn't have enough ports otherwise.

Don't worry about added latency, adding a switch will not cause the network speed to slow down significantly.

You shouldn't have any trouble setting up a network like this, but any computers connected to the Belkin router will probably have a different IP scheme to the ones connected to the Netgear, and the devices won't be able to "see" each other on the network [they'll just have internet access]. You would probably be better off with a switch, you should be able to get a basic one fairly cheaply [e.g this one on eBay: New 8 Port 10/100 Fast Ethernet RJ45 Network Switch Hub - (eBay item 150163344092 end time Sep-22-07 17:53:54 PDT) ]

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Thanks for the reply.

I wasn't concerned about the network slowdown aspect, although I probably should be. Not all of the computers and printers will be active at the same time. I just want them all to be connected without having to plug and unplug items from my router.

I will have a total of 4 computers and 2 networked printers that I want connected, so if I plug the 2 printers and 1 computer into The Belkin Router and then plug it into 1 of the 4 connections on the Netgear Router and the other 3 computers I will have enough connections and a spare.

My real issue is am I looking for trouble by daisy chaining a router from a router?
I just don't want to buy a switch if what I already own will work properly.

TJ

I really don't think it'll work - about the only thing you'll be able to share is the internet connection. All of the items connected to the secondary router will share one single IP address on the first router, which works fine when you want to share just an internet connection, but it won't work well with a LAN.

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Well, the router that routes the internet needs to be set as the default gateway. The router that is redundant must have the dhcp server disabled so all machines use 1 dhcp server. Then the redundant router's LAN port must not be used. I do this with a router at my house. I have an ADSL router for internet routing, a switch and a dsl router/print server. I use the print server and switch capability, but have turned off the routing capabilities. This should be achievable with your kit. Make sure all machines use the same subnet and ip schemes.

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Thank you all for the various replys to my questions.
It really seems that the best solution overall is to sell the Belkin router, which is brand new, and buy a network switch.
Any suggestions on a good switch for my network?
Thanks

TJ

The only reason I can see using a router underneath another router is for security.

Let me give an example. Let's say in your home network you only have 6 PC's. You only need 1 router/DHCP Server. but let's say that you want to have one web server ( for your Home Office / Side business). Then you want to keep your PC's in a protected space further from the web server (As you will want to open some ports for your web server). Here you would want to use a router. This creates a DMZ for your web server, and allows another layer of protection for your PC's that house your personal data (read: your home taxes, bank transactions...).

This setup will take a little more administration upfront. However, you stated you just want to add some PC's to the mix, not add security/complications. For that, I totally agree that you need a Switch. They are the best option, and cheap. I'm sure you could find an old hub somewhere, but for the reliability and performance you will want (even though not all PC's will be accessed at the same time), you will want a switch.

To summarize, don't add an additional router, with it's associated administration and headaches, when a switch is your best choice.

Thanks for the extra info as well as the confirmation of using the switch.
Do you ahve any recommendations as to brand type etc.?

A switch is a switch really, your best option would be to just get one on eBay cheaply [ New 8 Port 10/100 Fast Ethernet RJ45 Network Switch Hub - (eBay item 150164156128 end time Sep-25-07 09:53:40 PDT) ] or from a computer store. The best option would probably be the amount of ports for the lowest price, unless you will be running critical business data through it a consumer grade one will be fine.

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Nope, I agree with Ash, it's simple hardware.

I have personal favorites, yes, but those are just that. As a side note, I read somewhere that Cisco was going to end the Linksys line (Consumer hardware). Which may mean that future support may be limited on those. I'd have to go back and re-read and see if it was the full Linksys brand, or just a product category.

• My personal favorite goes (well not totally) against the recommendations of various magazines. But I like the Netgear line. I've never had problems with them, on their routers, I like the configuration options. I am planning on upgrading to a nice entire Netgear system soon. From router, to switches, to access points to NAS, It'll be expensive (gigabit and draft N), but I feel worth it. On my old WIRED ONLY router (RT 311), its scope was documented to be 16 addresses, but the configuration would accept the full 256.
• I've a Linksys print server / switch, which has been very solid for many years, however it (older dual parallel printer model) required software to be installed on my PC for configuring the print server side. Look for anything like this, as the software may not be updated to work on your OS (Vista, Linux, OS-X...). I recently gave this switch to a church group I work with, so I trust it to last for their purposes for quite some time.
• I've had D-Link USB hubs, and they've been good, but I can't speak for the networking hardware.

Still, Money talks, and bull manure walks. So, it all comes down to what you like and can afford. Look at your situation, if you only need a 4 port switch, get it, you can put another beneath it later.