4 port router full: in front or behind?

Posts: 22 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 28, 2004 Posts: 22

Hey folks,
I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 with all 4 ports full. Just subscribed to the Vonage service and trying to figure out how to connect the Motorola box when it arrives. My understanding from reading these posts is that the Motorola box has flaky consistency when connected directly to the modem, but seems to be a lot more stable behind a router with the appropriate ports forwarded. However, all 4 ports on my router are already full leaving no room for the Motorola. Is it possible to swap one PCs connection for the Motorola's then plug that 4rth PCs connection into the Motorola? What does this mean for file sharing now that this 4rth PC will be behind two routers? Will it still be accessible by \\Computername? Any advice on how to do this would be appreciated.
Dave

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

Buy an Ethernet "switch" and hang it off one port of the router and add the moto box and the computer you unplugged into that switch. Works like a charm and you'll have extra ports for more expansion.

Posts: 22 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 28, 2004 Posts: 22

Gary,
Thanks for the suggestion but I'm all out of electrical outlets in this room and don't feel like overloading the connections I do have. I am losing deskspace to all these extra gadgets and wires and would rather try to keep things as clean as possible. A nice UPnP wireless router with Voip and a 6 port switch would be nice!