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Do I need a hub, [wired] router, or network switch? Please read details...? - youarejinxed Hello All, I plan on purchasing a second desktop soon (to put in a bedroom). I have an optimum online modem in my living room where my current desktop is. I also have a belkin wireless router next to my modem for internet access with my laptop. However, I am unhappy with the internet connection/quality with my wireless router (the area I live in may be the reason for me losing connection) and I do not want to use wireless for internet access on my second desktop. I am not a tech savvy person....but I have been doing some reading and I would like to connect my second desktop to my modem as well. Will I need a second router, a hub or a network switch. Essentially, I want to be able to connect to the internet on both desktops at the same time. Thank You in advance :D

Best Answer: What you're asking isn't difficult. Firstly, the area you live in will not affect your wireless internet connection. You have a wired connection to your router and the wireless part is within your property. You might get better connection if you move the router and laptop around. Normally building infrastructure interferes (particularly metal in the walls). I imagine your modem connects to your router. It's fairly unusual to have a modem AND a router unless you have some cable internet connection. If your house has problems with wireless, you'll need to run a CAT5 network cable from the desktop to the router. Most routers have more than one port to connect your computers to. If it only has one port you might need a small, cheap network switch which will add more ports. Hubs are effectively obsolete , you certainly don't need another router. Check your wireless access by moving the laptop. Check your laptop from the area where you want the desktop to be to see if you can get wireless access from there. Try your laptop a few feet away in either direction to see if you get a better wireless connection for your laptop. Check whether your router has additional ports for more computers. If your router doesn't have spare ports, buy a cheap switch and cable your new desktop to it! - MKultra

Most of the Wireless routers that I've seem have some number of ethernet ports available. Assuming that your current PC is connected to the router, the next logical step would be to plug in the second computer to another port on the existing router. 1) Verify that DHCP is enabled on the router and both PCs. 2) Turn on the first PC verify that the internet is accessible. 3) Turn on the second PC verify that the internet is accessible. 4) By enabling Printer and File Sharing you will be able to access the other PC on your network and/or connect a network capable printer. Good Luck - Ernie B

You need a router to connect both desktops to internet. Does your present wireless router have LAN sockets? Because some wireless router can be used both with LAN cable or through wireless. For new router you need to disconnect your modem from the wireless router( turn off first before disconnecting ). Then connect your modem to your router in socket with label Internet/WLAN. Then turn on your modem wait for it to boot for 5 seconds or so. Then turn on your router. connect one desktop to the router then set its settings(It is found in the User's guide of the router). Then connect the other desktop to the router(You need another LAN cable for it). If your present router has LAN sockets just connect both desktops to your router. If you want to enhance your wireless router, you may buy a wireless booster. - jerriel

Does your Belkin wireless router also have LAN ports? Most have four or five. You can just connect the desktop to the LAN ports using an Ethernet cable. - JoelKatz

Since you already have a router, all you need to do is run a cable from it into the bedroom for your new computer. Assuming you have room for another cable in that router, this will work just fine. If you don't have another port for a second computer, then yes, you would need to buy a new router. - Rute675

To connect both desktops to the internet at the same time and be contacting the world wide web and such, you need a router. It's complicated but to put it in a nutshell, hubs and switches only spread a network, as in you can use one to connect multiple computers to a local, private network. Routers on the other hand, are like little computers. They will take your internet, and redistribute it into separate channels, allowing multiple computers to connect to the internet through separate IP addresses while simultaneously remaining connected to each other if you so wish. If any of that makes sense at all :D - kol

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