Hardware for lan "parties"

mrapoc · Sep 13, 2007, 17:20:36

Once i have kitted my bedroom out with a new desk/chair I want to have some good lan action with some buddies (games etc.) which will mean plugging in 4+ computers to my network. My current speedtouch 580 router is cr*p tbh and a beatch to configure. So im thinking about my options. Currently the router is downstairs with a 10m ethernet cable running to my bedroom. We have no phone sockets upstairs so either way there is going to be a cable running from downstairs. So yeh, router sucks but i dont want this 10m ethernet to go to waste. Would it be a decent idea to have a seperate modem to router linked via my ethernet with the seperate router in my bedroom for multiple connections?

Rik · Sep 13, 2007, 17:23:31

You could use a gigabit switch in your bedroom, Sam, and use the existing router or an ethernet modem to provide the WAN connection.

8-port switch
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=161794&CatId=0

There's also a cheaper 5-port version.

mrapoc · Sep 13, 2007, 17:31:10

Well the main problem lies with my current router. It decides when to block/allow programs such as utorrent. It will confuse rules i set for pc with what i set for the laptop (often applying rules to eachother when applied to only that machine) plus ive had problems trying to "lan" off it b4, plus recently with my remote desktop incident if you remember that much :p

Retried it again recently (havent been able to remote desktop how i wanted to) butttttttt actually managed to send files both ways $:-\$

Plus it randomly boots me off css too causing server errors

Rik · Sep 13, 2007, 17:34:19

Mmm. Maybe you need an 'industrial strength' router, such as a Draytek?

mrapoc · Sep 13, 2007, 17:42:02

Keeping in mind i dont want to spend shootloads, which would be my best choice? http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/router_compare.shtml

Need wireless, good network performance (i download and game mostly)

If i have it in my room, the best thing to do would be to run the adsl cable (a longer one) up to my room and then keep the long ethernet for future networking downstairs/other rooms?

Current wireless range is cr*p too xD

Rik · Sep 13, 2007, 17:52:24

I would have thought the 2800G, or if you want to use VOIP, the 2800VG, Sam.

If you have a Cat5 cable in place between router (telephone socket) and bedroom, you could keep that in place, use a filtered face plate and then run the RJ11 side on the Cat5 cable (you might have to re-terminate, I can never remember whether RJ45 plugs fit RJ11 sockets, I know it works the other way).

RobMc · Sep 13, 2007, 20:48:11

Just to check, your lan party will actually be using an internet game server rather then running a server on the lan just for the local players?

If you want the local players to join an internet game server then that could be quite tricky to configure on your adsl modem/router (I have no idea how this could be done). I guess this is why some people like to have multiple external ip addresses associated with their adsl connection so that each pc on the network can have an external ip address (I don't really know this, I'm just guessing and it would seem to introduce a lot of security considerations). I have quite a few pcs hanging off my adsl connection. I have 4 ports on my adsl modem/router and two switches (each 4 port connecting to two of the ports on the adsl modem/router, my switches are in different rooms.) to connect the pcs. You should be able to pick up a 4 or 8 port 10/100 Mbit switch for £10-£15. The advantage of gigbit speeds will only be seen if the pcs have gigbit capable hardware and you are copying a *lot* of stuff between the pcs. I doubt it would make a lot of difference in a lan game, and if you are all connecting to an internet game server then that will be the limiting factor on speed.

Rob.

mrapoc · Sep 13, 2007, 21:59:47

It will be a mixture tbh with you. Some strictly LAN such as offline command and conquer games whereas others will be us on the LAN playing online (same ping/ip kinda thing). We usually send a lot of data between us too (1gb+ depending on the amount of cool stuff downloaded prior to the event).

Rik how would i use the cat5e cable to do this? Im a bit confused could u link and explain the connectors and what order they would go in. Cheersssss

Rik · Sep 14, 2007, 00:36:21

Take a look at this thread, Sam. It covers the tools, connectors and pinouts.

mrapoc · Sep 14, 2007, 12:26:29

Which is the connector to connect phone line to ethernet?

So it will go:

Filtered face plate > ADSL line > Connector (which/what) > Ethernet > Router > Other pcs

Or have i got it wrong?

Rik · Sep 14, 2007, 12:29:12

That's it, Sam, you want the four or six way connectors, which are RJ11s. The eight-way is the RJ45.

mrapoc · Sep 14, 2007, 12:49:24

So i need a four/6 way to 8 way adapter - which is the best out of 4/6 way?

Rik · Sep 14, 2007, 12:53:09

I doubt it matters, Sam, as you'll only be using two wires anyway.

mrapoc · Sep 14, 2007, 17:01:51

So adsl line goes to the connector "FCC68 Plug 8P8C" listed on this page then to my ethernet 5e then to the router as a normal pc would be connected. I guess id have to then change a setting in router so it accepts adsl from the ethernet not the normal adsl line

http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo=12322&FromMenu=y&doy=11m9

Rik · Sep 14, 2007, 17:09:36

Not quite, Sam. You'd be using RJ11 plugs on a Cat5 cable. They would run from the ADSL socket on the filtered faceplate to the RJ11/ADSL in socket on the router. IOW, you're replacing the normal lead with a long piece of Cat5.

mrapoc · Sep 14, 2007, 17:12:27

ahhaaaaa i gets you. so are those the right connectors? FCC68 Plug 8P8C yeh?

Rik · Sep 14, 2007, 17:16:46

You need the 4P or the 6P, they are both RJ11 (iirc), the 8P is RJ45 (ethernet).

mrapoc · Sep 14, 2007, 20:41:04

Just to confirm... i stick 2x FCC68 Plug 6P6C on each end of ethernet cable turning it into connector > ethernet > connector in essence a long adsl cable. This then allow my router to be upstairs which i can run 4 ethernet connected devices and more if i get a hub/switch. The drayrek vigor 2800g would be the best for me as i dont really see me getting a voip phone etc.

An additional project on top of this may be to get the spare old pc downstairs working as a seperate firewall but thats for another day. I may also be delving into the depths of watercooling soon too.

Rik · Sep 15, 2007, 01:12:28

Quote from: mrapoc on Sep 14, 2007, 20:41:04
Just to confirm... i stick 2x FCC68 Plug 6P6C on each end of ethernet cable turning it into connector > ethernet > connector in essence a long adsl cable. This then allow my router to be upstairs which i can run 4 ethernet connected devices and more if i get a hub/switch. The drayrek vigor 2800g would be the best for me as i dont really see me getting a voip phone etc.

That's basically it, Sam. Better than using a long ADSL cable, not as good as using a long ethernet cable.

QuoteAn additional project on top of this may be to get the spare old pc downstairs working as a seperate firewall but thats for another day. I may also be delving into the depths of watercooling soon too.

Just wait till you decide to start customising cars.