Hello all!
I am planning on setting up a small LAN party (12-15 people) sometime over the Christmas holidays. This is something a group of us do around twice a year, but every time we have network stability and performance issues. These issued are only noticeable on newer games, such as CoD5 or Quake Wars.
The current network setup is 2 wireless routers connected by a hub, with 4 cables going from each router to a computer, and everyone else on wifi. The internet's modem is connected to the hub.
The planned set-up is everyone on a separate LAN network, connected via switch(es), with us split into 2 separate rooms. (the rooms are side by side) A separate computer will be on the hub with the internet in case it's use is required.
We have decided to purchase a network switch, or multiple switches, for us to use to solve the stability issues, however, we are uncertain what our best option is. As we are all starving college/university students, price is a major issue. It is noted that two 8-port switches cost less then a 16 port switch; which would save us money in cabling but would that be recommended?
From what I have read, it appears if we attempted to connect the two switches, then the traffic of one room would be directed into a single port on the switch in the other room, slowing it down. Would this speed decrease be noticeable?
Ideas on a networking solution would be greatly appreciated, as well as links to informative sites.
Thank you for your time and help.
I am planning on setting up a small LAN party (12-15 people) sometime over the Christmas holidays. This is something a group of us do around twice a year, but every time we have network stability and performance issues. These issued are only noticeable on newer games, such as CoD5 or Quake Wars.
The current network setup is 2 wireless routers connected by a hub, with 4 cables going from each router to a computer, and everyone else on wifi. The internet's modem is connected to the hub.
The planned set-up is everyone on a separate LAN network, connected via switch(es), with us split into 2 separate rooms. (the rooms are side by side) A separate computer will be on the hub with the internet in case it's use is required.
We have decided to purchase a network switch, or multiple switches, for us to use to solve the stability issues, however, we are uncertain what our best option is. As we are all starving college/university students, price is a major issue. It is noted that two 8-port switches cost less then a 16 port switch; which would save us money in cabling but would that be recommended?
From what I have read, it appears if we attempted to connect the two switches, then the traffic of one room would be directed into a single port on the switch in the other room, slowing it down. Would this speed decrease be noticeable?
Ideas on a networking solution would be greatly appreciated, as well as links to informative sites.
Thank you for your time and help.
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