CapDubOh

Hello everyone, I am need of your networking expertise. I am hosting a LAN party very soon in the near future and had some questions about the setup we are going to use. This network is going to consist of a dedicated server (i.e. old desktop), 2 - 8 port switches, and 12 computers. It is still up in the air whether or not we are going to connect to a router. The plan I had in mind was to connect the server (it only has one port) to the first switch, connect the first switch to the second switch, connect the router to the first switch, and use the rest of the ports (12) to link the gaming computers. Will this work? Also, is there a better setup, with this equipment, that I am overlooking?

I had another question about the cables. From what I have read, crossover cables are being phased out by newer hardware with auto-detection. Are there any points in this LAN where a crossover cable would be needed? I would think that the connection between the first swtich and the router could need one but I am not sure. Here is the switch we are going to use http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127082 .

Once again thanks for the help in advance. I had some more questions but they seem to be escaping me at the moment.

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CPU Loop - Swiftech MCP355 w/ EK X-Res 140 v2 --> XSPC RX360 w/ 3x Yate Loon D12SH-12 --> Swiftech Apogee XT

Turnoz

Hi,

You should connect it like this.

Router - Switch ---------------- Switch
| | |
Server Gaming Computers. Gaming Computers.

or
Switch ---- Gaming Computers.
|
Router - Switch
| |
Server Gaming Computers.

The second one being better but you did not say if your router had more than one port.

By using it this way, everything will go through the router first which will then send it directly to the server.


Second thing, you no longer need crossover cables... The only place where you would need them would be computer to computer

EDIT: Baahs... it deleted the spaces.... tell me if you cant read.

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CapDubOh

Hi, thanks for the quick reply! +Rep for that!

I think I can understand your diagram. I am pretty sure the router we will be using has at least 4 ports. For the second suggestion, did you mean connecting both switches and the server into the router, then using the rest of the open ports on the switches for the gaming computers?

EDIT: One more thing. If I connect both switches to the router, would that eliminate the need to link them together?

__________________
CPU Loop - Swiftech MCP355 w/ EK X-Res 140 v2 --> XSPC RX360 w/ 3x Yate Loon D12SH-12 --> Swiftech Apogee XT

Turnoz

Yep. You wouldnt need to connect them together.

Like that you can have two different teams in two rooms if you want also :P

great for team games

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