Home LAN kit help

[ik9000]

Looking to set up a LAN for at least 8 people to access when my friends come over for some gaming. Can anyone recommend what I need for this. Want lowest cost that will give reliable + hassle free gaming. ATM I've only got the router that came with my broadband but it only has 4 ports and I'd prefer not to have to unplug everything when people come over.

Is an 8-way switch all I'd need or do I need to buy another hub with more capacity to allow the machines to talk to each other? ?

Are the follwing any good?

cheapest I can find: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132457

then this one http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8-por...x-flow-control)

then this one http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116620

All are under £12

[Noxvayl]

All you need is a simple switch. That will allow you to connect all the computers and join each other in games.

I'd go with the Zyxel switch. All home LANs I've been to had a switch similar to that where everyone connected.

With 8 people all at your house, you would need a few long-ish cables to connect to one central switch. If the room isn't symmetrical it might be easier to connect everyone to 2x 5port switches, that would allow for 8 computers to connect; 1 connection between the switches and another to your router for internet.

[ik9000]

would using 2 switches hamper performance? And is there anything wrong with the Tenda switch? It's half the price of the Zyxel.

[jim]

Technically it would, but in practice it should be so minute you won't notice.

I've heard of Zyxel, they're quite good as far as budget kit goes - Tenda means nothing to me. I'd stick with Zyxel, personally.

[ik9000]

Bought the Zyxel but upped it to the gigabit version for £30. With the cabling and a few powersurge plugs I was at £48 and the postage was £4.99 - exactly the same price as the Tenda 5 socket 10/100 so I got that, and cleared the £50 free post hurdle. Now I have two switches

The Tenda is tiny - going to use that for my travelling kit. V useful. The Zyxel is heavier, but anticipated that as it is metal chassis. Going to leave it sealed up til after exams and will report back on how it fairs at the LAN parties in May.