Need a broadband router with more ports

[OwlHoot]

The Linksys WAG300N broadband router I use at home is fine except for its small number of ports, only 4. So I'm looking for another broadband router with a lot more ports, say 16 or more.

Can anyone suggest a model, or the best search terms to use? Presumably I'd be looking at more of a commercial model, and could expect to pay more accordingly, which is fine. At the same time I don't need or want some mega-expensive kit with a hundred ports or something.

TIA

P.S. I don't do wireless at home, hence the need for more ports.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Someone will probably tell me that it’s the wrong thing to do (and I am more than willing to be corrected), but I daisy chain from my router into a hub with 8 ports. It works for me, but, as I said, I’ve no idea if this is a good thing to do.

[VectraMan]

WHS. Just buy yourself a cheap ethernet switch/hub et voila! More ports.

[TroubleAtMill]

A hub, or better a switch, will do just fine. And make sure it's gigabit capable.

Example.

[Durbs]

Cheapest way is just plug one of these into the router:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-JFS5...6380037&sr=1-2

Or, if you really want gigabit (and i'm sure 100 meg will be fine for any home use including streaming HD) you pay a bit of a premium:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-16-P...6380309&sr=1-3

(Although thinking about it, £125 isn't really a 'premium' price is it, so i'd go for the faster shinier one at that price.)

[OwlHoot]

A hub, or better a switch, will do just fine. And make sure it's gigabit capable.

Example.

Thanks for all the prompt replies guys.

Those look good, but there's a wide variation in price and I'm curious to know roughly what extra features the more expensive ones buy you, in case any might be useful to me either now or in the future.

I can see the features of each are summarized, so the info is there; but all that net geek speak means very little to me. I mean for example is "layer 2" a handy thing to have on a home network?

[Zippy]

Thanks for all the prompt replies guys.

Those look good, but there's a wide variation in price and I'm curious to know roughly what extra features the more expensive ones buy you, in case any might be useful to me either now or in the future.

I can see the features of each are summarized, so the info is there; but all that net geek speak means very little to me. I mean for example is "layer 2" a handy thing to have on a home network?

As I understand it Layer 2 refers to the data layer of the OSI reference model
The switch you are referring to will support prioritisation for traffic on your network.
I don't reckon you'll need it. Take a look at this

[HairyArsedBloke]

Hey, it looks like I've done something right for a change!

[Sysman]

Someone will probably tell me that it’s the wrong thing to do (and I am more than willing to be corrected), but I daisy chain from my router into a hub with 8 ports. It works for me, but, as I said, I’ve no idea if this is a good thing to do.

I tried with an 8 port hub and while it worked it wasn't very good at the 10/100 negotiation bit (I had a mix of antique kit at the time). An unmanaged switch for about 20 quid solved that.

I'd go for a managed switch next time though.

[Clippy]

^WTS

One point, you may find that the switches suggested have a large footprint (similar in size to say a DVD player in terms of width, not depth) so you may want to consider getting 2 x 8 port ones.

If so, make sure they have an uplink port which will enable you to daisy chain them together.
However, you will 'lose' use of one port as it is being used to connect the two switches together.