LAN Router , Hub or Switch Question

[trev1976]

Hi

currently i have a PC a wrt54gl linksys router and a xbox 1 connected , i have the xbox wired to the router via a Ethernet lead but its quite far away from the router , question is soon im going to want to install a xbox 360 and maybe a WII too and was wondering if i could split the ethernet cable some how without having to install a 2nd or 3rd ethernet cable to my router ? ive seen LAN hubs but dont really know if this is what i need ? also would it be pos to split the ethernet cable and have 2 or more device's connected to the internet at the sametime or would only one device be allowed on at one time ?

Thanks

[Hohum]

Can't you just use wireless? Wii uses it as standard, and 360 has a wireless adapter you can purchase... seems like the better option for your situation.

[trev1976]

well i did have wireless when i had my old belkin router and my belkin wireless gaming adapter but i cant seem to get it to work with my wrt54gl linksys ? also i found i couldnt file transfer over FTP via wireless so really wanted a wired connection

Thanks

[babs]

You should be able to stick an ethernet switch in without problems. You'll be hard pushed to find a hub these days, but if you do, go for a switch over a hub. They're more intelligent* and just the better way to go.

* Just to clarify, a hub broadcasts all packets on all ports all the time, waiting for the appropriate device to pick them up. A switch knows what's attached to each port and only sends to that one.

(It's been a long while since I've even thought about them, so if I've messed that up a bit, and someone knows better, go easy on me )